Watch My5 outside the UK: 5-minute method (walkthrough)

My5 is a popular streaming service exclusive to viewers in the UK. However, you can watch My5 outside the UK with a reliable VPN that manages to spoof your location. That means you can watch your favourite shows from anywhere in the world.

Our recommended VPNs will unlock My5 on desktop and mobile by giving your device a temporary IP address from the UK – read on for the details.

Which VPNs work with My5?

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Using a VPN to watch My5

At a glance: To use My5 when you’ve left the UK, download a VPN, sign in to your account, connect to a server based in the UK (London, for example) and then reload the My5 site.

1. Install a VPN to your PC or mobile

To stream region-restricted TV shows on My5 while outside the UK, you need a VPN. We’ve highlighted a couple of our favourites on this page, so shop around and see which option works best for your needs.

2. Sign in to your VPN

Once you’ve created your VPN account, sign in with your email and password. It should only take a couple of seconds to register your details.

3. Connect to a server for My5

As My5 is aimed at UK telly fans, you need to connect to a UK VPN server to watch from overseas.

To do this using ExpressVPN, open the app, tap the three dots icon and use the search box to enter a UK location. Select the power icon to connect and wait for the green light.

How to fix My5 errors

If My5 is clever enough to work out that you’re trying to access it from a restricted region, your connection will be blocked. You’ll need a trusted VPN to bypass that restriction, or you can configure your current one.

The best VPNs for My5 do a top-notch job of replacing their blacklisted servers. That means that even if My5 disables a UK-based server, a replacement will be up sooner rather than later. Explore our list of solutions here:

Check your VPN is up to date

To watch My5 outside the UK, ensure you’re using the most recent version.

To update your VPN from a computer, load up the VPN and then choose Settings. You should be able to find an Update option in there. Clicking Update will usually take you to the VPN provider’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new.

If you’re using Android, open the Play Store, tap your profile and then choose Manage apps and device. Select Update. From an iPhone, open the App Store and tap your profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

Try using a different VPN server

VPN servers can die at random times. If My5 isn’t functioning, the issue may lie with the VPN server – swapping to an alternative could improve your experience. Top-rated VPNs provide numerous servers within each country.

Try disconnecting from the server that you’re using with My5. Precise steps will vary, but ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country.

Message Customer Support

The most popular VPNs employ teams to address technical issues. If you’re having trouble using My5 through a VPN, consider reaching out to them for assistance.

Access your VPN provider’s website and head to the Support or Contact Us pages. Some VPNs even provide a 24/7 live chat service for their members, which is great if you’re reaching out late in the day.

Reset your VPN

Try restarting your PC or phone and relaunch your VPN. If that doesn’t resolve the issue with My5, completely uninstall and reinstall your VPN. Open both your VPN and the My5 website or mobile app to see what the results are.

Check your internet connection

To do this, disconnect from your wi-fi entirely and reconnect. Once your connection is restored, try your VPN once more and consider restarting your internet router for a full reset. Check for a button on the back of your router or consult the brand’s manual online.

You should also run a free internet speed tool and compare results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More My5 fixes:

If you’re on a phone, clear your cache and cookies from My5. From an iPhone, you need to choose Settings > General > iPhone storage, then choose the My5 app. Select Offload app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > My5 > Storage > Clear cache.

If you’re using My5 on desktop, clear your cache and cookies. On Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Re-enter your VPN username and password. Double-check your credentials. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website.

Check the VPN servers are online. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be experiencing an outage.

Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. A DNS (domain name system) leak means your usual IP address and location is visible to websites and apps, even if you have a VPN running. We suggest you try the IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit My5. If not, that’s a sure sign your VPN is broken.

Check that your firewall allows VPN use. If you’re experiencing issues on desktop, make sure your VPN is mentioned in the ‘Allow’ list. On Windows, head to open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

Are you using the latest version of your web browser? Your current web browser version might be incompatible with your browser-based VPN. If you’ve already updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, you would go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you tiring out your VPN? When streaming, gaming and using social media at the same time, your VPN might struggle to keep up. We suggest you close a couple of apps to test if doing so has a noticeable impact.

Best VPNs for My5

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

If My5 isn’t unlocking, switch to ExpressVPN. We’ll happily recommend this newbie-friendly VPN time and time again – it’s easy to use, quick and works brilliantly if you’re looking to access My5 from abroad. You won’t have to stare at annoying error messages on the My5 website if you’re protected by this tried and tested VPN.

This VPN keeps your real IP address hidden, so websites won’t know you’re accessing content from abroad. Every ExpressVPN member can enjoy servers in over 90 countries around the world. ExpressVPN works on lots of different devices including Mac, PC, Android or iOS smartphone.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Ivacy is worth a closer look if you want to enjoy My5 shows while you’re travelling. This is one of the most popular, affordable VPNs around, thanks in part to its battle against blacklisted servers.

This trusted VPN effectively hides your real location so you can use all of My5’s features, even if you’ve roamed outside the UK. Use our exclusive link below and you get instant access to over 1,000 VPNs servers across the world. A single membership to Ivacy also means you can protect up to 10 gadgets at a time.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

Here’s another service for your shortlist. NordVPN has servers all over the world and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. That means they’re extremely secure and you can connect without handing over your personal data to companies that shouldn’t own it.

If you run into trouble while getting to grips with NordVPN, you can make use of the live chat feature for a helping hand.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

PureVPN is a great service, being powerful enough to unlock geo-locked websites so you can enjoy them without a hassle. You’ll be able to log in to your My5 account even if you’re in a country where it doesn’t usually work.

PureVPN also works with ITV Hub, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There are around 2,000 secure PureVPN servers based in over 130 different countries.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

FAQs: Using My5 with a VPN

Is My5 geo-blocked?

The streaming service is officially available in the UK. Outside of the UK, you need a VPN to access it. To stream My5 shows abroad, you need to load up your VPN and connect to a UK server.

How to use My5 with a VPN

1. Pick one of our suggested VPNs – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in.
3. From your device, download and open the ExpressVPN app and select a server based in the UK.
4. Once you’re connected, load up My5.

Can I use a free VPN with My5?

If your current VPN is useless, you might be thinking about a free VPN to save money. However, we recommend that you stay away from free VPNs.

Some free VPNs aren’t safe. Because you don’t pay a standard, monthly fee, free VPNs for My5 might sell your personal data just to make a profit. Plus, they might take ages to connect to a server compatible with My5, and your connection could drop without warning.

How to watch My5 on Windows

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs and sign up – let’s use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in using your username and password.
3. From your Windows device, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in the UK.
4. Once you’re connected to that server, head to the My5 website.

Watch My5 on Mac

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs and create your account – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in using your username and password.
3. From your Mac, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in the UK.
4. Once connected, head to the My5 website.

How to watch My5 on your iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the My5 app to your device – it’s on the Apple App Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in the UK.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the My5 app and log in to your account.

Watch My5 on Android

1. Head to the Google Play Store from your Android tablet or smartphone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the My5 app to your device – it’s on the Google Play Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in the UK.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the My5 app and log in to your account.

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