How To Get A U.K. IP Address

They say that the grass is always greener on the other side, and that holds true when it comes to Netflix content. We mean, why do the people of the U.K. get to enjoy The Office (U.S.) on Netflix, but we don’t in the U.S? Well, fortunately, you don’t need to move to the U.K. to watch the series, among other great shows exclusively available on Netflix U.K., BBC iPlayer, or All 4. Rather, you could simply get a U.K. IP address, which we’ll show you how to do right now. And take note, these methods will also let you fool search engines and websites into thinking you’re in the U.K. Now let’s get rolling.

How To Get A U.K. IP Address

There are currently 116,399,169 IP addresses assigned to the U.K.1 However, you can’t just pick one and claim it. Although it’s easy to change a device’s IP address, you need a unique IP address to serve as your device’s identifier, so choosing an existing one won’t work. In order to obtain a U.K. IP address, you’ll need to use a VPN, Tor, or proxy servers.

» Further Reading: How to find your IP address

VPN

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a service that encrypts its users’ web traffic, along with their IP addresses, for privacy. As a rather useful side-effect, the websites you visit will only see the VPN server’s IP address and not your device’s. Therefore, if you connect through a U.K. server, it would appear as if you’re in the U.K. Not all VPNs have U.K. servers, however, and not all those that have one are good enough. For your reference, we’ve put together a review of the best VPNs in terms of cost, performance, server count, features, privacy, and more. We tested all the VPNs in that review and they all had several U.K. servers. Please note that the use of many premium VPNs comes with a cost. However, you can still get a U.K. IP address for free. There are free VPNs that offer reduced bandwidth or slower speeds, or VPN trials that are only usable for a limited time.

» Also learn: How to get a US IP address

Tor

Tor is a free software that, in some ways, is like a VPN. It encrypts your web traffic and data by relaying it through several encrypted Tor servers. As a result, websites will only see the IP address of the last server (a.k.a. the exit node). However, the Tor network relies on an overlay network of volunteer servers and computers (i.e. its very own users). This setup yields inconsistent speeds, making Tor a bad option for streaming. On top of that, many streaming services, including Netflix, block Tor access.

That being said, here’s how you can obtain a U.K. IP address using Tor on your computer:

1. Download and install the Tor browser for Windows, Mac, or Linux.
2. Run Tor at least once. Doing so will create a “torrc” file in the installation folder, which you’ll need for the next step.
3. Search for the “torrc” file, then open it using a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit). Simply add the line “ExitNodes {uk}”, then save the file. This will ensure that you’ll get an exit node in the U.K. whenever you run Tor.

Proxy Servers

The use of proxy servers is yet another method that puts an intermediary between you and the internet. Unlike VPN servers, however, most proxy servers won’t encrypt your data. They will simply change your IP address. There are thousands of free proxy servers in the U.K., but tread lightly as they can use their networks to gather data from users. Please read the company’s privacy policy before getting a free proxy server from them.

Setting up a proxy server on your computer or mobile device depends on how the server is configured. In most cases, though, here is what you need to do:

1. Get the server’s IP address and port number (usually 8080) from the vendor or administrator.
2. Input this information into your device or browser’s proxy settings to activate.

Why Would I Want A U.K. IP Address?

There are many reasons why one might want to get a U.K. IP address. According to our very own VPN usage study, most people use VPNs for personal rather than work use, like getting around content restrictions. As we’ve mentioned in the intro, a U.K. IP address will get you access to Netflix U.K., BBC iPlayer, and All 4, as well as Channel 5 and the British sports coverage of BT Sport. The use of an IP address from the U.K. is also required to access some sites, including online banking channels of British banks. If you’re traveling or living long-term outside of the U.K., you might find yourself unable to access your online bank account. That’s when getting a U.K. IP address becomes a necessity.

Can I Get A U.K. IP Address Without A VPN?

As we’ve mentioned earlier, there are other methods to get a U.K. IP address besides using a VPN, namely, Tor and proxy servers. Each has its pros and cons.

VPN

Tor

Proxy Server

Recap

Whatever your reasons are for getting an IP address in the U.K. and whichever method you choose, the most important thing is that you remain safe and secure online. That’s why we’ve tailored this how-to guide with digital security in mind. That said, we’ve come to the conclusion that the safest and most convenient way to obtain a U.K. IP address is through a VPN. Feel free to check out our VPN comparisons to see which one is best for you.