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How to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in UAE Dubai in 2024

by Lance Gross
Last updated: February 17, 2021
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Home   >   Blog

So the reason you’re not able to watch Disney+ Hotsar in Dubai is because currently, Hotstar is only available to watch if you’re located in Canada or India.

There are currently two countries you can watch Hotstar in:

Hotstar in India
https://www.hotstar.com/in

Hotstar in Canada
https://www.hotstar.com/ca

So if you visit one of the websites above to watch Hotstar and you’re in the UAE, you’ll get a message saying that the content is unavailable.

Disney plus hotstar Geo restriction error message

In a Hurry? Here’s How to Watch Hotstar in UAE Dubai with a VPN

Follow these 5 simple steps to watch Hotstar in UAE with a VPN:

1. Download VPN (We recommend ExpressVPN).

Express VPN link to download.

2. Open the VPN app and enter your credentials.

Express VPN sign in page

3. Check the list of countries, find and connect to an Indian server.

Express vpn connected to india mumbai server

4. Go to the Hotstar website and watch Disney+ Hotstar in UAE / Dubai!

Disney plus hotstar mainscreen

Why You Need a VPN to Stream Hotstar in UAE Dubai

Hotstar is not currently available for streaming in the UAE (or in most places outside India) because of licensing and copyright regulations.

Hotstar uses an IP tracking system to block users who try to access their service from UAE, or outside of the permitted streaming locations. By using a VPN, you can trick this IP tracking system.

A VPN routes all internet traffic through a VPN server located in the location you choose. So, if you are only allowed to watch Hotstar in India, Canada, or the US, you can make it appear that you are located in one of those places by connecting to a VPN server in one of those countries.

VPN able to connect to other countries

In this case, you can opt to connect to an Indian server, which will replace your IP address with an Indian one, making it appear to Hotstar that you are streaming from India — not the UAE.

This will allow you to unblock your favorite Hotstar content as well as the other famous Indian channels such as SonyLiv, Voot, Zee5, and more.

3 Best VPNs to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in UAE 

Not all VPNs on the market will be able to successfully bypass Hotstar’s geo-blocks. Here are a few VPNs that worked best at helping us watch Hotstar in UAE:

1. ExpressVPN

Devices compatible with ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN gives you ultra-fast speeds, whether you’re connecting to a local or a long-distance server, so you can watch the best Hotstar content without buffering or lag.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers, 3 of which are in India. When I connected to the ExpressVPN servers, I was able to circumvent Hotstar’s geo-blocks every time.

ExpressVPN is more expensive than its peers, but it’s always advertising deals to offset the price, and you can also essentially try it for FREE with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Superfast speeds
  • 5 simultaneous device connections
  • 24/7 live-chat

Cons:

  • Among the more expensive VPNs

Unblock Hotstar with ExpressVPN!

2. NordVPN

Devices compatible with NordVPN

When I tested the NordVPN servers in India and the US, I got consistently fast speeds with no buffering or lag, and I was able to get around Hotstar’s geo-blocks every time.

NordVPN has compatibility with a range of devices, so you can easily connect NordVPN to your favorite device, connect to the server you want, and do things like stream Disney+ while in Japan or watch Hotstar in UAE in no time.

You can try NordVPN with no strings attached with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Fast speeds
  • 6 simultaneous device connections
  • 24/7 live-chat

Cons:

  • Not as fast as ExpressVPN

Unblock Hotstar with NordVPN!

3. Surfshark

Devices compatible with Surfshark

Surfshark is not as fast as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, but will still deliver speed that is plenty fast for Hotstar viewing in UAE with great quality and no buffering or lag.

Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous device connections, so there is no need to pay for an additional account, no matter how many devices you add.

If there are any issues with your Surfshark account, you can cancel within 30 days for a full refund.

Pros:

  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • 24/7 live-chat

Cons:

  • Not fast as NordVPN & ExpressVPN

Unblock Hotstar with Surfshark!

Why Should You Use the Indian Version of Hotstar?

The main reason to watch Indian Hotstar is the quality of content. Indian Hotstar has a bigger selection of Indian-language and Bollywood content than the other Hotstar libraries.

Next – we can’t discount the importance of cost.

The Indian version of Hotstar is definitely the cheapest, so even if you are located in the US or Canada, it may be better to unblock Hotstar in India with a VPN.

How to Subscribe to Hotstar in the UAE

Here’s how to subscribe to Hotstar in the United Arab Emirates:

Step 1: Connect to the Indian server.

Express vpn connected to india mumbai server

Step 2: Choose a Hotstar plan and create an account.

Disney plus hotstar plans

Step 3: Select the payment method.

Disney plus hotstar select payment method.

Step 4: Confirm registration — You need to use an Indian number to create an account.

Disney plus hotstar confirm registration page

Best Hindi TV Series on Hotstar

Here are some of your favorite Hindi TV series you can watch in the UAE:

☑️ Dil Bechara
☑️ Yeh Hai Mohabbatein
☑️ Ishqbaaz
☑️ Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai
☑️ Dance+ 3
☑️ Naamkarann
☑️ Chandra Nandini
☑️ Mahabharat

The Best TV Series on Disney+ Hotstar in India 

Here are some of the best series to watch on Indian Hotstar:

Disney+ Hotstar movies and shows

☑️ 24 (2001 – 2014)
☑️  The Affair (2014 – 2019)
☑️ American Crime Story (2016 – Present)
☑️ American Horror Story (2011 – Present)
☑️  The Americans (2013 – 2018)
☑️ Big Little Lies (2017 – Present)
☑️  Billions (2016 – Present)
☑️ Homeland (2011 – 2020)

List of Indian Channels on Hotstar

Here is a list of Indian channels you can unblock in UAE:

☑️  StarPlus
☑️  Star Jalsha
☑️  Star Vijay
☑️  Star Parvah
☑️  Star Bharat
☑️ Star Survarna
☑️  Star Utsav
☑️  Asianet Plus
☑️  ABP News
☑️  Star Sports Hindi 1
☑️ Star Sports Tamil 1
☑️  Star Sports 1 Telegu
☑️  Star Sports First
☑️ Star Sports Kannada 1
☑️  Star Sports Bangla 1
☑️  Star Sports 1 Marathi
☑️  9XM
☑️  Star Sports Select 1 & 2 (HD)
☑️  FOX Life
☑️  Hotstar Specials
☑️  Star Maa
☑️  Star Maa Gold
☑️  Hotstar Originals

Live Sports on Hotstar

Here are a few of the live sports you can plan to unblock in UAE:

☑️  Cricket
☑️  Football
☑️  Formula 1
☑️ Tennis
☑️  Boxing
☑️  E-Sports

List of Devices that Support Hotstar

Watch Hotstar on the following devices:

☑️  Windows (PC)
☑️ OSX Mac
☑️  Linux
☑️ Android
☑️ iOS
☑️ Apple TV
☑️ iPad
☑️ Chromecast
☑️  FireTV

How to Get Disney+ Hotstar App on Android

Here’s how to access Hotstar from UAE on your Android:

Step 1: Connect your Android device to an Indian server.
Step 2: Go to Google settings and change the time zone to Indian.
Step 3: Go to Google Play Store and download the Hotstar app.

How to Get the Hotstar App on iOS

Here’s how to watch Hotstar in UAE on your iOS device:

Step 1: Change your App Store location to India.
Step 2: Connect your VPN with an Indian server.
Step 3: Go to iTunes and download the Hotstar app.

You may also like:

FAQs

Why is Hotstar not available in UAE?
Because of broadcasting restrictions, this content is not available in your region. Content owners have licensing agreements with broadcasters determining in which regions this content is permitted. This is why some shows are available in your region, and why Hotstar is not available in your region in the UAE.
How can I watch Hotstar in Abu Dhabi?
To watch Hotstar from the UAE or in Abu Dhabi:

  1. Choose a reputable VPN — We recommend ExpressVPN!
  2. Open the VPN app on your device and sign in.
  3. Connect to one of the servers in India.
  4. Access Hotstar app and sign in.
  5. Get ready for Hotstar in Abu Dhabi!

Is it legal to watch Hotstar in UAE?
It is legal to use a VPN in the UAE. Using a VPN in UAE is only illegal if it’s used to commit a crime.

Conclusion

So, if you have been wondering how to watch Hotstar in UAE, you can see now that it’s simple.

To watch Hotstar in UAE, you will require a VPN that allows you to get through Hotstar’s geo-blocks.

ExpressVPN allows you to watch Hotstar in the UAE, or anywhere in the world.

And — now that you know how to unblock Hotstar in UAE — you can use a VPN to watch Hotstar shows any time of day or night.

Try ExpressVPN Now & Save 49%

26 Replies to "How to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in UAE Dubai in 2024"

  • David

    Very useful and comprehensive article! I used NordVPN and connected to a Indian server — now I can enjoy all of my favorite Indian movies and TV shows. Thank you!

    • VPNBrains

      Awesome! You are welcome David! Happy to help and I am glad to hear that it is working well for you! Thanks for the comment and for sharing your experience with us.

  • Trish

    Which VPN works with other devices like smartphones and smart TVs? I need something that I can share with my family so that we can all watch hotstar in UAE,

    • VPNBrains

      Great question Trish! All the VPNs I recommended in the article (ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark, works with popular Internet-capable devices like smartphones, tablets and smart TVs. As for sharing it with your family, I would recommend going for Surfshark since it supports an unlimited number of devices (simultaneous connections) and works well for unblocking Hotstar.

  • C Price

    Why are VPNs blocked in UAE?

    • VPNBrains

      VPNs are blocked in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because the UAE government wants to be able to control all internet traffic that goes in and out of the country.

      The UAE is a very tightly controlled country with a lot of censorship, and the government doesn’t want its citizens to be able to access any websites or services that might be critical of the government or that might allow them to bypass the country’s online censorship filters.

      VPNs are a popular way for people to get around online censorship filters, so by blocking VPNs, the UAE government is making it harder for their citizens to access websites and services that it doesn’t want them to see.

  • Deedee

    what are your thoughts on using vpns to watch geo blocked content?

    • VPNBrains

      VPNs are a great way to access geo-blocked content, and I highly recommend them for that purpose.

      However, be aware that some VPNs are not as secure as they claim to be, so do your research before choosing one. If you pick the wrong VPN, using a VPN to try and access geo-blocked content can be a real headache. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t or it just never works quite right. As with many things in life, it’s about picking the right tool for the job. And if someone wants to use a VPN for watching geo-blocked content, then it’s important to use a VPN that is capable of doing this and doing it well.

      I recommend Express, Surf and Nord, b/c not only can they do a great job at unblocking geo-blocked content, but they’re not going to sell your information, or install malicious code on your computer.

  • jason

    How can I watch Disney Plus Hotstar in UAE without a VPN?

    • VPNBrains

      I don’t know of another reliable or consistent way to watch Disney Plus Hotstar in the UAE except for using a VPN. The trick is you need a way to connect to a server in the United States. Then you need to make sure whatever you’re using won’t be detected by Disney Plus Hotstar. So if you’re in the UAE, the only option option I’m aware that actually works is to use a quality VPN to connect to a U.S. server. Then you can sign up for an account and start streaming/watching content.

  • Erik Emanuelli

    Do you think that Disney Plus and Hotstar will eventually unblock their services in the UAE?

    • VPNBrains

      At this point, it’s anyone’s guess as to when or if Disney Plus and Hotstar will ever be available in the UAE. In the meantime, if you don’t want to use a VPN, then at least there are a number of other streaming services available such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. And although I don’t expect things will change in the UAE anytime soon, it’s always a possibility 🙂

  • Jacob

    why is geo-blocking used?

    • VPNBrains

      Geo-blocking is used for a variety of reasons.

      One reason is to enforce territorial restrictions. For example, a movie studio may decide to release a movie in the U.S. but not in Canada in order to maximize profits.

      Another reason is to prevent people from accessing content that is not intended for them. This might be done, for example, to protect copyrighted content or to prevent people from viewing material that is considered inappropriate or offensive.

  • Wan

    Is it legal to use a VPN in UAE?

    • VPNBrains

      Yes, it is currently legal to use a VPN in UAE. However, it’s important to note that using a VPN is technically a breach of the Emirates’ telecommunications law. But as long as you’re not doing anything illegal (like torrenting copyrighted movies), you’re unlikely to experience any problems. VPNs are great for bypassing censorship and protecting your privacy, so I definitely recommend using one if you’re travelling or living in UAE. Just be sure to choose one that’s reputable and trustworthy.

  • LR

    I got ExpressVPN VPN but Hotstar app seems to detect VPN 🙁 on my phone

    • VPNBrains

      If you the overall best speed and easiest vpn to use, I would go with Express. If you’re looking for the cheapest option that will work (but it’s not as fast as Express), I would go with Surfshark. If you want to narrow things down further you can look at where their servers are located and choose the one w/ a server closest to you. For example, I happen to live in a city that has a Surfshark server. So my speeds with Surfshark are very good (though still not as good as Express). But I can use Surfshark to watch beIN sports w/out a problem. So they’re both great options, but if you want the best, Express is going to be the way to go.

  • Oscar

    can i use a free vpn?

    • VPNBrains

      Yes you can. Just be aware that most and i mean MOST, come with a host of restrictions that can compromise your privacy, install malware on your computer or slow down your internet connection.

      Otherwise, you’re dealing with bandwidth limits, or limited servers or other limitations. If i were to use a free vpn I’d use Proton. However, I HATE how difficult they make it to make changes to your account. And there are a few other gripes, but again, if I had no money and needed a VPN for something short term, that’s what I would use.

  • Matthew Betourney

    What else can I do with a VPN?

    • VPNBrains

      One of the biggest benefits of having a VPN is online privacy.

      When you use a VPN, your data is encrypted and sent through a secure tunnel. This makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity or steal your information.

      Additionally, using a VPN can help protect your privacy. Your IP address is masked and replaced with the IP address of the VPN server. This makes it difficult for others to track you down and spy on your activities.

  • Cara

    Is there a risk Hotstar will block my account for using a VPN?

    • VPNBrains

      There is a potential risk when using a VPN, but it’s unlikely that Hotstar will block your account. Pretty much what we see is that Hotstar will ask you to stop using your VPN if you want to keep watching.

      VPNs are used by people all over the world to access blocked websites and content, so it’s not likely that Hotstar would single out individual users.

      And that’s also because people use VPNs for online safety and security. So they can’t necessarily prove whether someone is using a VPN to unblock content or just using a VPN for online privacy.

      But if you’re concerned about being blocked by Hotstar, I’d recommend using a VPN that is known to be reliable and has a good track record. You can’t go wrong with any of the VPNs we’ve mentioned in the article.

  • Jody

    Why do you think Disney Plus has chosen to block access in the UAE?

    • VPNBrains

      Generally, the most common reason for geo-blocking is because of licensing or copyright reasons. For Disney Plus to legally show a particular piece of content in your region, they need to own the distribution rights to that specific market. If they don’t have the rights to show content in your region, then it becomes “geo-blocked.”

      Another possible concerns is that Disney is concerned about piracy in the region. It’s possible that the company believes that by blocking access to Disney Plus, it can reduce the amount of piracy taking place in the UAE.

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