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To get a British IP address, connect to a VPN server located in the United Kingdom. While the connection is active, websites see a UK address instead of your own, so they infer a UK location. The setup takes a few minutes. It changes only the location signal a website reads from your connection. It does not change your nationality, account region, billing address or what a service has licensed for your country.
Set up a British IP address with a VPN
- Choose a VPN provider that lists UK servers and supports your device. Proton’s official UK-server page lists apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and Chromebook, and names London and Manchester servers. That is the provider’s own description of its service, not independent evidence that its connections are faster or better than those of competitors.
- Sign up on the provider’s website, download the app from its official site or your device’s official app store, and sign in.
- Open the app’s location list and choose a server in the United Kingdom. Server cities and counts change over time, so select from the list the app shows you rather than relying on a city name from an older guide.
- Connect and wait until the app shows a connected state with the UK server name.
- Check the result with an IP-location lookup site in the same browser or on the same device. The reported country should be United Kingdom. If it is not, disconnect, choose a different UK server and reconnect.
What a UK IP address changes, and what it does not
A VPN changes the public IP address that destination services see while it is connected. That is the signal most sites use to estimate where you are. It does not change your citizenship, your account’s registered region, your billing address, your payment method or your entitlement to any particular service. Three limits follow from that:
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- Streaming platforms can block traffic they recognise as coming from VPNs, so a UK IP address can still produce a block or an error.
- Catalogues depend on licences and each service’s terms. A UK IP does not guarantee that a particular programme or film is available to you.
- UK government guidance (GOV.UK) states that the EU Portability Regulation no longer applies to travel between the UK and the EEA, and that services are not required to provide UK content to UK customers who are temporarily visiting the EEA. A UK IP address while you are abroad therefore does not create a right to UK content.
Claims that a provider makes about streaming access are its own marketing statements. They are not independent test results, and they should be treated as claims until a dated, service-specific observation supports them.
VPN, web proxy, Smart DNS or router: which one changes the IP address?
Several tools are sold as ways to appear in another country. They work at different layers, so they do not give the same result. The table below describes how each one is generally used. No independent comparison of their speed or reliability is cited here.
#1 Best Overall
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
| Method | What it routes | Changes the IP address to a UK one? | Encrypts traffic? | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPN app (connected) | Generally the whole device | Yes, when connected to a UK server | Generally yes, between the device and the VPN server | Needs a paid or free subscription from a provider; server choice and blocks vary. |
| VPN browser extension | Browser traffic only | Yes, for browser traffic only | Not stated in the sources for this guide | Other apps keep your own IP address, so do not treat it as device-wide protection. |
| Web proxy | Selected browser requests | Only for the requests it handles | Not necessarily end to end | Does not necessarily cover the whole device. |
| Smart DNS | DNS queries for selected services | Ordinarily no general change to your IP address | Not stated in the sources for this guide | Works per service rather than as a general UK IP address. |
| VPN-compatible router | Every device on the home network | Yes, if the router holds a UK VPN connection | Depends on the VPN service | Requires hardware configuration and a VPN subscription; it is an optional accessory, not a requirement. |
For most readers the VPN app is the simplest route, because it covers the whole device and needs no extra hardware. Proxies and Smart DNS suit narrower needs and carry the limits shown above.
Legal position and online-safety limits
UK government guidance states that VPNs are legal in the UK. The same guidance says platforms have duties to prevent children from bypassing online safety protections, and that they may face action if they promote workarounds to children. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said, in the context of those child-safety changes: “This marks the most significant step forward in child safety since the internet was created.” That statement concerns the child-safety regime and does not address VPN use by adults.
Rank #2
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Use a UK IP address for lawful purposes such as privacy on public Wi-Fi, or reaching a UK service you already subscribe to while travelling. A VPN is not a way to get around age checks or other safety rules, and the legality of VPN use does not override a service’s own terms.
Streaming regulation context for 2026
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published a February 2026 release on the Media Act framework for video-on-demand services. It reported that services with more than 500,000 UK users would be designated Tier 1. The same release described proposed accessibility targets for catalogues: at least 80% subtitled, 10% audio-described and 5% signed. The release says the codes and implementation were still in development, so these targets should not be described as fully in force.
Rank #3
- 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝟔 𝐀𝐗𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 - Wi-Fi 6 Speeds up to 1,201 Mbps (5 GHz) and 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz) for up to 60 devices simultaneously. Actual Wi-Fi speeds vary based on source bandwidth, environment, distance to devices, and obstacles. ◇§
- 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 - Roam 6 AX1500 is a pocket-sized travel router compactly designed for trips and adventures, featuring a 1 Gbps WAN/LAN port and a 1 Gbps LAN port for reliable wired connectivity.
- 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗶-𝗙𝗶 𝗼𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗴𝗼 - Connects to public Wi-Fi and creates a private, secure network for all your devices. Supports multiple devices at once, ideal for hotels, Airbnbs, airports, and even home use. VPN connectivity enables secure remote work.
- 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 - (1) Router Mode: Connects to public Wi-Fi, ISP, or phone (USB tethering). (2) AP/RE/Client Mode: Adds WiFi to wired setups, extends WiFi, or connects wired devices wirelessly.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. Advanced security is integrated into the device’s design, development, and ongoing maintenance.
The release also cited Ofcom’s 2025 Media Nations report for viewing habits: two thirds of households subscribe to at least one of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+, and 85% of people use an on-demand service each month, compared with 67% who watch live TV. These figures describe viewing in general. They are not evidence of how many people use VPNs.
How to judge a VPN provider before you pay
This guide does not name a best provider. The available sources are the provider’s own UK-server page and UK government publications. They include no independent speed or streaming test, and no current price or offer was verified. Check these points yourself before you subscribe:
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX's Admin Panel.
- 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
- 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
- How many UK servers there are, and whether you can choose between UK cities.
- Apps for your operating system, phone, router or streaming device.
- The privacy policy, the provider’s jurisdiction, any independent audit, and exactly what logging it says it keeps.
- Speed and reliability measured with a published, repeatable method, dated and tied to a server location.
- Streaming access recorded as a dated, service-specific observation that includes the account context.
- Price, renewal price, refund window, simultaneous connection limit and any data or bandwidth limits.
Troubleshooting when a site still shows the wrong country
The steps below are general troubleshooting advice. They are not tested results for any particular provider or site.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteQuick Recap
Best Value
- 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 - Roam 7 BE3600 connects to public Wi-Fi and creates a private, secure network for all your devices. Supports up to 90 devices at once, ideal for hotels, Airbnbs, airports, and home use. VPN connectivity supports secure remote work.
- 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝟕 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 – Delivers up to 2882 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, supporting smooth streaming, downloads, and gaming for up to 90 devices. ◇ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝟔 𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐲 - Offers (1) Router Mode for Ethernet or USB (phone) tethering connections, (2) Hotspot Mode for secure access to public WiFi , and (3) AP/RE/Client Mode to extend WiFi, add WiFi to wired setups, or connect wired devices wirelessly.
- 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN and 1x 1 Gbps LAN ports, along with WiFi 7 speeds, enable fast wired and wireless data transmissions.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
- Confirm that the app shows a connected state and the UK server name, then reconnect to a different UK server.
- Check split-tunnelling settings. Some apps let selected applications or browsers bypass the VPN, which means they keep your original IP address.
- Check DNS settings for a configuration that sends queries outside the VPN tunnel.
- Close and reopen the browser, and clear cached data for the affected site.
- Remember that some sites ask for browser location permission and use that instead of your IP address. A VPN does not change that permission, so check the browser’s site settings.
- Some services base their location on the account’s registered region rather than the connection. In that case a UK IP address will not change the result.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
