Sunday, April 28, 2013

How to: Watch American Netflix in Canada using AppleTV (Updated Jan 19, 2014)

It is no secret that Netflix streams different content to you based on your location. Myself, I live in Canada and thus have watched through the Canadian content. Crossing the US boarder will automatically switch the content that is available for me to watch (to a much better catalogue I might add); though I much prefer to watch from the comfort of my own home. This is possible with a simple change in network settings. 

For the AppleTV, which is my preferred Netflix hub, the steps are surprisingly simple. You would have gone through a similar process on the initial set up of your AppleTV.

How to

Go into Setting>General on your Apple TV.


Scroll down and select Network, select your network to expand into the more advanced options. It is here that you will want to change the DNS setting. This number is what tells the Netflix server where you are located, by changing it the server will provide content based on where it thinks you are.
Select Manual Configure and enter the following number.

109.123.111.024

 This DNS has been working for me since August of last year and is conformed working through other sources. If, however, it is not working for you check this post for additional codes (they are also posted in Primary / Secondary pairs if you are applying this mask to a different system).

After manually entering the DNS, navigate back to the General settings menu and select Restart. Once your AppleTV restarts you will be able to enjoy the catalogue of American Netflix.
And since you're in the settings moving things around, check out this post (Hidden Apple TV Features) for ways to get more out of your Apple TV.
Please note, these DNS numbers do expire from time to time. I will do my best to update them here so that you can keep your system up to date.

Updated Jan 19, 2014

 You can also watch the American content on-the-go with the iOS app. Check out this post for the instructions.

If you are having problems, check this post for troubleshooting ideas.

If you have questions or want to stay informed about the blog follow me on twitter @Steves_Studio

Cheers,
Byron
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48 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 28, 2013 at 2:28 PM

    How to do this through Netflix on the Wii? Also, ever find out how to buy US iTunes in Canada? There's an album I want but is not available through Canadian iTunes accounts!

    Erin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ByronApril 28, 2013 at 3:22 PM

      Hi Erin,
      The process is very similar for the Wii. Go into Wii settings>Internet>Connection Settings>Change Settings. Then scroll over to Auto-Obtain DNS, select "NO" then "Advanced settings" and enter both DNS number listed above.

      As for the American iTunes, you are required to have a US address (and perhaps credit card) to have a US iTunes account and be able to purchase that content. I will do some further digging on this one as I have a couple of ideas for possible work-arounds.
      Cheers,
      Byron

      Delete
    2. Dan KingJuly 29, 2013 at 8:38 PM

      You actually don't need a US credit card ... just an itunes card purchased in the USA. However, once you switch your iphone or device to download from a US account, you have to wait 6 week (?) to be able to switch back to downloading from Canada. I have been locked out before ... no fun!

      Delete
    3. ByronFebruary 10, 2014 at 5:00 PM

      Here are the instructions for getting the US iTunes account. http://steves-studio.blogspot.ca/2014/02/creating-us-itunes-account-from-canada.html?

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 3, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    so i have dont this and it worked perfectly except now i can't watch videos in Super HD, just normal HD is there any way to fix this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ByronJune 3, 2013 at 6:25 PM

      I am not familiar with the "Super HD" (due to running ATV2), however after some quick research I found the information needed.
      Super HD is, for lack of a better term, still in BETA; there is limited devices compatibility and even lacking network compatibility. Since there is a change in DSN to achieve the american content, the signal path must be going through an unsupported network. Perhaps the next round of valid DSNs will support "SuperHD". Otherwise just time is needed for full support.

      Side note/ Rant: What Netflix is advertising as "Super" is just 1080p (rather than 720p, both are considered HD). IMO "Super" is the wrong word to use, it should just be listed as 1080p / 720p based on content availability (most people, from a normal viewing distance, can't tell the difference anyway).

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 5, 2013 at 7:51 PM

    Wow! The tales of a vastly superior selection were not exaggerated! Thank you so much for sharing this hack Byron.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJune 29, 2013 at 3:06 PM

    ONce I've gone through the whole process, it stays stuck on 'setting the date and time' and doesn't go any further; any ideas? Eva

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ByronJune 29, 2013 at 4:42 PM

      It would seem as thought there is either a software error or internet connection error; the latter would be what I am suspect of.
      Reseting your AppleTV (hold "down" and "menu" for six seconds on your apple remote) should allow the device to restart properly. In settings you can configure a manual set up of the date and time.
      Also, ensure that you are running the most current software (setting>General>Software Update)
      Cheers

      Delete
  5. Journaling JanetJune 30, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    Hi Byron, after I have done all that you suggest and restart my apple tv all I get on the screen is the option to go into computors or settings. Won't go into the main screen where all the goodies are. Any suggestions. thx Janet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ByronJune 30, 2013 at 2:50 PM

      Hi Janet,
      I had the exact same issue about a week ago. To correct it I simply switched the DSN back to automatic mode and restarted the Apple TV. Everything should be loading nomally, then follow the instructions again using the alternate DSN listed above.
      Cheers

      Delete
  6. Journaling JanetJuly 1, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    Hey Byron did what you suggested and it didn't work so thought I would reset and now it wont accept my id or password. Do you know it that is a common occurence when you reset apple tv. Thinking I will have to set it back to factory settings by connecting it to my itunes on my laptop. I have turned everything off unplugged everything restarted a million times and nothing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 1, 2013 at 5:46 PM

    Have been unable to access American Netflix for the last few days. Have tried the DNS codes you provided, however still not working. Have the codes expired?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ByronAugust 1, 2013 at 6:49 PM

      Yea it appears the DSN have expired. I will update them soon.

      Delete
  8. UnknownAugust 2, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    Also try

    69.197.169.9

    192.95.16.109

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousAugust 5, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    192.95.16.109 worked for about 24 hours. Any other thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownAugust 6, 2013 at 7:24 AM

    If anyone can help! I have a VPN through work and I even tried my own codes on my netflix and it still won't work for me. When I go to the US netflix site on my VPN it totally works but when I use the same IP code on my ATV2 its saying there's an error.

    Is this going to be fixable?

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousAugust 8, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    We haven't been able to access American Netflix since last week, none of the codes seem to work. Any other codes to try?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 11, 2013 at 8:54 PM

      Hello. Couldn't get any codes to work so i tried a code for Xbox and it worked! 109.123.111.24

      Hope this helps you!

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 22, 2013 at 7:05 PM

      Yay! That did the trick!!! Thanks.

      Delete
  12. AnonymousAugust 13, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    Tried it and it worked! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousAugust 19, 2013 at 7:58 PM

    thanks it worked! wow the content is unreal compared to the canadian version. wonder how many in the us are trying to switch to the canadian version....0...

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousAugust 22, 2013 at 8:26 PM

    you are the effin man... ive been trying to find a new DNS for weeks. thanks so much

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousAugust 24, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    The new DNS just posted above on August 11 didn't work for me...zoinks

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2013 at 7:36 PM

    On my Apple TV, I was able to access US Netflix using one of the codes listed above, but was subsequently unable to access iTunes.

    Does the new DNS settings affect my Canadian iTunes (seeing as my settings now apparently originate from the US)? Or is it just a temporary issue?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 4, 2013 at 7:18 PM

      I had the same problem. I don't know if this is really a fix or not, but it worked for me.

      Go back to the "iTunes settings" and change it back to Canada. In my case, Netflix continued to deliver US content, but iTunes went back to working.

      The other services that are only available in the US (Like HULU) went away, but iTunes and Netflix kept working. I'd call it a win.

      Delete
  17. DaniSeptember 7, 2013 at 1:02 PM

    I'm in Brazil and those are not working for me! :(

    ReplyDelete
  18. phgirlyOctober 2, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    I got US Netflix up on Apple TV but it is a lot slower. I can see all the content but when I select a show/movie it takes a minute or two to load. Anyone else have this problem? Also is it ok that HBO on the go doesn't work. I don't really use the other Apple content but still would be cool to use. I could try changing the country back to Canada as I haven't seen if my itunes works or not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ByronOctober 2, 2013 at 10:45 AM

      The slower load time is completely normal. The signal is being taking a less direct path in order to provide the different content.

      Delete
  19. AnonymousOctober 6, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    Does anyone know if you can still do this even using Netflix Profiles? Google and HE DNS do not work for me.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousOctober 12, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Hi! I'm in Sweden and none of these codes work for me. The page won't load. The code 109.123.111.024 worked one my IPhone but when I tried on my computer, it directed me to "playmo.tv"

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownOctober 22, 2013 at 7:19 PM

    I had everything working great, including having Hulu Plus, and after restarting the apple TV I have apparently lost the ability to get the US netflix, or Hulu Plus apps back. Any thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousOctober 31, 2013 at 3:44 AM

    If you go through your WII, does that mean you do not need Apple tv?

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousNovember 13, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    What about watching UK Netflix in the US? Is there a special DNS?

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  24. WishismDecember 23, 2013 at 12:58 PM

    When I put in any of the DNS codes it'll ask me to put in an IP code.
    Do I need a US Ip code too?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ByronDecember 24, 2013 at 10:23 AM

      The ip will automatically be set by your wifi router. There is no need to change that number.

      Delete
  25. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2014 at 9:23 PM

    I did this on the newest update of apple tv and I restarted it and all that showed was settings and computer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ByronJanuary 7, 2014 at 9:46 PM

      That is typically due to incorrect entry of the DNS. Check to make sure it was entered correctly and then restart again.

      Delete
  26. Terry EdwardsJanuary 12, 2014 at 1:09 PM

    Thank you ever so much for such an easy, straightforward way to adjust my Apple TV to get the US Netflix. Simple, fast and effective. Good on you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2014 at 9:53 PM

    I used a DNS that switched over and shows the new apps, HULU etc., but when I go into Netflix it is still all Canadian content. DO I have to create a new profile with Netflix?

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2014 at 8:09 AM

    When I add my US DNS server IP to my Canadian TV/PC, it does not work. However when I view NX on my US server it shows US content. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownApril 10, 2014 at 11:55 AM

    As of 4/10/2014 a new code is effective: 213.5.182.117.
    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousJune 5, 2014 at 3:23 PM

    thank you so much for the update. It works perfectly... one happy camper here!

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousOctober 8, 2014 at 6:22 PM

    I have just entered 213.5.182.117 but it did not work in Canada in Oct 2014.
    On my AppleTV under "internet" it lists Youtube and Radio but not netflix (or anything else).
    Do I also have to change router number IP or subnet?
    Thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousOctober 24, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    Wondering if you'd rather push TurboFlix and get paid per free trial instead of unblock us...

    https://turboflix.com/affiliates/

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2015 at 5:38 AM

    Steve all this works and it show the us part but when I go to play it (Any of the American show the Canada still plays). It says Netflix is currently unavailable, can you tell me how to fix it?

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousDecember 18, 2024 at 10:05 PM

    Thank You and that i have a neat give: Where To Start Home Renovation house renovation exterior

    ReplyDelete

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