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How to unblock BBC iPlayer for free

Bypass geo-restrictions in just a few simple steps.
By Joseph Green  on 
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SAVE 49%: ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking free streaming services. A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free. This discounted plan also comes with a money-back guarantee.


BBC iPlayer recognises your location when you attempt to stream, and blocks anyone from outside the UK. That feels a little rude, so we're giving you the keys to access this popular streaming platform from anywhere in the world.

If you want to access BBC iPlayer's award-winning news coverage, British dramas, and live sports from anywhere in the world, you'll need a streaming-friendly VPN.

How to unblock BBC iPlayer for free

VPNs can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This quick and easy process tricks sites like BBC iPlayer into providing you with access from anywhere in the world.

You can unblock and watch BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most of the best VPNs do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. You can use these offers to unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're travelling or just want to watch a particular show or sporting event.

If you want to retain permanent access to BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for BBC iPlayer is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

The best service for unblocking BBC iPlayer is ExpressVPN. This streaming-friendly service is not the cheapest out there, but it does offer a lot of benefits for streaming:

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  • Servers in 94 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast streaming speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This discounted plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and that 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free with ExpressVPN.

Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Global Shopping Editor

Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming services, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.

Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.


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