Getting a UK IP address lets you sidestep geo-blocks and access local TV channels abroad. In the same fashion, you can use UK online banking sites and not be locked out. The perks of changing your IP are numerous, and the best way you do this is with a VPN. Only then can you actually enjoy some of them.
However, not every VPN is good for obtaining an IP address from the UK. You want a VPN with many British servers, unlimited bandwidth, top-tier security, and reliable streaming for access to BBC iPlayer, ITV, and other streamers overseas. We demonstrate how to get a UK IP anywhere and which VPNs to use.
How to Get a UK IP Address With a VPN?
To get an IP from the United Kingdom, you’ll need a VPN. A VPN service changes your IP address to another country, and in doing so, changes your online location. Read our detailed definition of a VPN to learn more. When you connect to a VPN, it routes your traffic through a VPN tunnel that encrypts your connection.
This makes your browsing and downloading history unreadable by your ISP or hackers. As such, a VPN will not only change your location and let you bypass restrictions but also make sure you’re browsing the web safely and securely. Moreover, a VPN works on every device, which is why it’s so easy to get a UK IP.
We’ll explain how to do this on a PC, but rest assured, it works the same on other platforms, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and streaming devices.
Step 1 – Get a VPN Subscription
The first thing to do is to get a VPN subscription. You want a VPN with many servers in the United Kingdom and in multiple locations. There’s no better service than NordVPN. It has a few hundred servers in Edinburgh, London, Glasgow, and Manchester. It is anything but a coincidence that it is considered the best UK VPN.
Other than that, it includes 8,400+ servers in 130 countries, making it great for changing your IP to any country. While the service isn’t free, it comes with a huge 73% discount and three free months for the 2-year plan. A 30-day money-back guarantee results in a great offer that lets you use NordVPN risk-free.
Step 2 – Download and Install the VPN
Having NordVPN’s subscription, you’ll be able to download its apps. As explained, we’ll use our Windows 11 PC, but also know that it is a great VPN for Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, routers, and other platforms.
Once you download the application and install it, simply open it up and sign in using the credentials you provided. You should see NordVPN’s dashboard, which looks like this:
Step 3 – Connect to a VPN Server in the United Kingdom
The goal is to connect to a British server, which will hide your original IP address, replace it with the one from the UK, and encrypt your connection. You can do this by finding the UK on the server list and clicking it. Conversely, use the search bar, type in the country’s name, and click on it when it appears.
Within seconds, you’ll see the Connected message up top, and your new IP address from the United Kingdom. You’re pretty much done, but there’s one more optional step.
Step 4 – Make Sure You Have a UK IP
Establishing a connection to a server in the UK will give you an IP address from this country. But, if you want, you can visit any IP-checking website to make sure this is the case.
We use iplocation.net, and in the screenshot above, you can clearly see that we have an IP address based in the United Kingdom. Now, for example, we can watch Wimbledon on BBC iPlayer from abroad or access many UK-based online bookies regardless of where we are.
Using a Free VPN to Get a UK IP: Will It Work?
When using NordVPN, you can watch BBC iPlayer abroad or enjoy other British content outside of the United Kingdom. In addition, NordVPN offers the fastest speeds and unlimited bandwidth, coupled with solid security and minimal logging. But what about free VPNs? Well, the story goes in the opposite direction here.
Free VPNs, in many instances, don’t have any British servers, so you can’t get a British IP address with them. Good examples are Proton VPN, Hide.me, and Hotspot Shield. While some free VPNs can have servers in the United Kingdom, they lack in other departments. They offer limited monthly bandwidth.
On average, you’ll get anywhere from 2 GB to 10 GB, barely enough for a single day of browsing. Their poor speeds and no streaming capabilities won’t let you unblock any streaming services, including BBC or ITV. Perhaps the most infuriating thing here is the lack of security features.
Free VPNs don’t have strong encryption, and they lack features like a kill switch or tracker protection. With very intrusive logging practices, you get a killer combo for violating your privacy in the snap of a finger. If you want to change your IP to the United Kingdom, we suggest going with a premium VPN like NordVPN.
We guarantee have zero issues with it, whether you want streaming, torrenting, or anything else. Plus, it has the advantage of offering a 30-day money-back guarantee. Trying it does not commit you to anything.
Try NordVPN for Free for 30 Days
Another VPN to Get a UK IP: ExpressVPN
If you find NordVPN unsuitable for any reason, here’s another pick for you: ExpressVPN. This provider is more expensive than NordVPN but offers extremely fast 3,000 servers in 105 countries. While not better than its competitor, in terms of quality, it’s pretty close overall.
It’s very fast, offers impeccable security, and has a certified no-logging policy. In addition, the provider offers streaming-optimized servers in the UK and abroad. In the UK alone, ExpressVPN has many servers in Docklands, London, Wembley, and a few other cities. This makes the job of getting a UK IP extremely easy.
Click the button above to get a special 73% discount, including four free months with the 2-year Basic plan, and benefit from a 30-day money-back guarantee. After that, the setup process is simple: download ExpressVPN, install it, and sign in using the credentials you created during subscription.
The dashboard of ExpressVPN will now open:
From here, click on All Locations, go to Europe, and find the United Kingdom. It should be nearly at the top of the list, right above the Netherlands. Double-click on the server to connect and get an IP from the UK.
Now, if you want to make sure your new IP is truly there, you can, again, go to iplocation.net. However, you won’t be surprised that ExpressVPN actually works without issues.
Getting a UK IP Address With a Proxy
Another method of getting an IP from the UK is by using a proxy service. While this might work, this surely isn’t the method we recommend. As you know, free proxies are very popular for bypassing firewall restrictions and gaining access to restricted sites.
They work similarly to a VPN in a way that they make your traffic look like it originates from a different IP, all by using a proxy server that acts as a middleman. Proxy servers aren’t secure, and they offer no encryption, so the security aspect is out of the way. They are often owned by unknown entities with malicious intentions.
They’ll usually collect and sell your personal info, violating your privacy in this process, which is why we avoid using them. Before you ask, proxies won’t allow you to unblock BBC iPlayer, watch ITV, or enjoy UK betting sites abroad. For that to happen, you still need to use a quality premium VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Summary
Getting an IP address from the UK isn’t so hard. Doing so lets you unblock British streaming platforms abroad and encrypt your connection to make you anonymous online – if you use the right VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Don’t forget that NordVPN has hundreds of servers in the UK, making it an ideal choice.
Its 30-day money-back guarantee is a nice addition, as it will let you use it for 30 days risk-free, with the ability to get a refund at any point. Let’s also mention ExpressVPN, another excellent option. With it, you can get a UK IP address in a few simple steps and still enjoy high-grade performance and rock-solid security.
And if you want to discover alternatives, you can check out our comparison of the best VPNs.
FAQ
Can I get a British IP without a VPN?
Yes, you can do that with a proxy, which we don’t recommend due to obvious security vulnerabilities. Keep in mind that most proxies don’t allow you to choose the location, so they most likely won’t suffice.
Is getting a UK IP address legal?
Yes, it is. No one is ever going to put you in jail for having a British IP. In fact, you can use a VPN to change your IP address to any country you like without any legal consequences.
Can I get an IP from the United Kingdom on my phone?
Of course, you can. NordVPN works on all devices, making it easy to change your IP on any platform. The same goes for our second recommended pick, ExpressVPN, with apps for all major platforms and systems.
