Netflix has become the most popular streaming service around. Although this beloved entertainment platform is available for streaming in 190 countries around the globe, it has still yet to become a true staple in Indonesian entertainment the way it has in America or the UK.
So, this begs the question – With a population of over 267 million, half of whom are internet subscribers, why are there less than 1 million Indonesian people subscribed to Netflix?
While there is an Indonesian version of Netflix available, users in the country sometimes find their Netflix service blocked due to explicit content or political agendas. When it is available, the library has more of a local variety, with little of the appealing content that is available on the American version of Netflix.
So, how can people in Indonesia get through any restrictions and be able to access the more desirable content that is available in America or other countries around the world?
Using a VPN in Indonesia, you can sign on to a VPN server location in the US, UK, or any other country where the Netflix content seems most appealing. This will hide your Indonesian IP address and trick Netflix into thinking you are signing in from a country where Netflix services are available; allowing you to search and watch coveted Netflix content that would otherwise be blocked to you in Indonesia.
Keep on reading to learn how to access the biggest Netflix library, right from Indonesia.
In a Hurry? Here's How to Watch American Netflix in Indonesia
How is Indonesian Netflix Different from American Netflix?
The US Netflix library boasts the biggest selection of media content of any Netflix library in the world. With almost 6,000 titles, American Netflix tops Indonesian Netflix by well over 1,000 shows.
The reason Netflix in Indonesia has a different, and smaller, selection of shows than US Netflix is due to licensing agreements.
We give Netflix a lot of credit for its amazing content, but, in reality, while it does have some great original content, it does not actually own most of its titles. Instead, Netflix purchases streaming rights from movie studios and producers who decide where their media can be streamed. Most of the time, viewing is restricted to the country in which it was released, so all the great US content is less readily available outside the US.
Why Does Telkom Indonesia Block Netflix?
The word on the street is that TelKom, an Indian international telecommunications conglomerate, continues to block Netflix in Indonesia for political gain. It also owns a national Indonesian cable service, and allowing Netflix to enter the country would be inviting significant competition for it and its bottom line.
TelKom claims, however, that the reason it is keeping Netflix out of Indonesia is because of the explicit content in many of its TV shows and movies.
Whatever the reason, we have heard rumblings of a possible partnership between Netflix and Telkom, so we wouldn’t be surprised if Netflix begins streaming more content in Indonesia fairly soon.
How Does VPN Software Unblock Netflix?
A VPN service works by disguising your local IP address that is being geo-blocked, connecting instead to a VPN server in a different country. When you connect to one of the VPN servers in your desired country, you are replacing your blocked IP address with one that will be allowed access.
An IP address reveals where your internet connection is coming from. This is how Netflix is able to automatically connect you to UK Netflix when you’re in the UK, or US Netflix when you are on US soil. When Netflix sees that you are in Indonesia, the service will automatically connect you to the Netflix Indonesian library.
If you want to access the more broad Netflix library in a region different from Indonesia, connecting to a VPN’s long-distance server, such as one in the US, will send Netflix a US IP address, making it appear that you are in the US, and disguising your original IP address.
This allows you to stream any Netflix region in the world – as long as your provider has a server in that location – circumventing any geo-blocks that Netflix would normally establish.
This means that Telkom Indonesia will have no way of knowing when you connect to Netflix, so it will no longer be able to block you.
Best VPN to Watch Netflix in Indonesia
We reviewed dozens of VPN services to help you determine how to watch Netflix in Indonesia with the most success and ease.
Here is the best VPN for Netflix according to our research:
1. ExpressVPN
While there are a lot of VPN services on the market today, to access Netflix TV shows and movies in Indonesia, the VPN that is constantly at the top of our list for reliable, consistent streaming is ExpressVPN.
Ease of use
ExpressVPN is a very user-friendly service that can easily be navigated by someone with no VPN experience whatsoever.
Downloading and using the VPN app onto any device is simple and intuitive, and you can be subscribed and streaming your Netflix content within minutes.
First – download the app to your device, and make sure you have Netflix downloaded onto the same device. Once your VPN is installed, you will very clearly see an option to select your server location. Each option for a country has its flag next to it, which makes it even easier to navigate. You can either double click on the country you want to connect to (in this case, the US is a great option), or click on the country, and then click on the huge round connect button. And that’s it! Open Netflix, and enjoy your American shows.
If you do have any issues with ExpressVPN, it has stellar customer service, including 24/7 live-chat support, that can help troubleshoot any struggles you may have within seconds, no matter what time of day or night.
Cross-device compatibility
I would be willing to put money on the fact that, no matter which device you are using, you will be able to connect it to ExpressVPN.
This VPN is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux; and it offers MediaStreamer Smart DNS so you can get American Netflix on devices such as Apple TV, Roku, Android Smart TV, PlayStation, Samsung Smart TV, Xbox One, and PS4.
Since most households have many different gadgets under one roof, it is good to note that you can add up to 5 connected devices at the same time using one ExpressVPN subscription.
If you configure your VPN on your router, this will protect any user devices that are signed on to your WiFi, and all devices on your wifi will be counted as only a single user device.
Fast streaming speeds
Whether connecting to servers in the country in which you are physically located, or connecting to a long-distance server, ExpressVPN’s connection speeds are always rocket-fast, and free of any annoying buffering or lag.
ExpressVPN has no problem unblocking the US version of Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO GO, Disney+, ESPN+, Showtime, and many other streaming sites, and it will consistently give you uninterrupted streaming in HD.
Vast server network & lots of US servers
ExpressVPN has a network of over 3,000 servers in 160 different locations, with more than 20 server locations available in the US alone. This ensures that you’ll always find a reliable server connection with ExpressVPN in the country in which you wish to connect.
Traffic encryption
A virtual private network helps keep your online activity and identity safe and secure by encrypting your internet connection. Encryption acts as a tunnel, keeping all of your activities safe from hackers, the government, and anyone else who should not be seeing your personal activities or information.
ExpressVPN encrypts your data with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, the highest level around. This 256-bit encryption is virtually impenetrable. The anonymity that this provides is necessary when connecting in Indonesia, as TelKom subscribers will need to hide their activity so that they are not blocked.
Ability to unblock other streaming services
If you are not quite as obsessed with Netflix as I am, it is good to note that ExpressVPN can also unblock other important streaming services that are usually geo-blocked, like Amazon Prime Video.
It is also good to note that this VPN has servers in many other countries, like Canada and the UK, where you can view exclusive content that would otherwise be inaccessible in Indonesia.
30-day money-back guarantee
If you are having trouble committing to ExpressVPN, you can remove any pressure from your decision knowing that, with ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee, you can get your money back after trying out the service for a whole month.
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Able to unblock Netflix in Indonesia
- Multiple high-speed servers
- 5 Simultaneous connections
- More expensive than its competitors
FAQs
“Oops, something went wrong…Streaming Error. You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”
The more reputable VPNs, like ExpressVPN, are able to slip under Netflix’s radar and get right past its restrictions.
Using a tried-and-tested VPN service, like ExpressVPN, Netflix will never even know you were watching its movies and TV shows from outside its permitted region.
It’s important to note, however, that using a VPN goes against the terms and conditions you agreed to when you created a Netflix account. The Netflix terms and conditions explicitly state:
“You may view the Netflix content primarily within the country in which you have established your account and only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such content.”
So be warned that using a VPN to access Netflix is against the rules and that the company does have the right to suspend your service if it notices that you seem to be using a virtual private network. Also realize, however, that it is highly unlikely that it would ever actually suspend your service for this offense.
Conclusion
If you are craving Netflix in Indonesia, but you would prefer to access the library in a different country, like the US, a VPN is your answer.
ExpressVPN, the best VPN on the market, has plenty of servers to help you access the shows you want to watch, whenever you want to watch them. With the help of a high-quality VPN, like ExpressVPN, get ready to unblock Netflix, and you can start bingeing all of the best shows in no time.
