The Dreaded BBC iPlayer Only Works In The UK Error Solved

With shows and sports events like Doctor Who, Top Gear, Luther, FA Cup and MMA available on the service, it’s no surprise that so many people are interested in streaming BBC iPlayer. However, if you’re outside the UK, you’ll be greeted by an error screen that says, “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues. In the UK? Here’s some advice.” You might have already guessed why you’re getting this error since BBC iPlayer is a geo-restricted service. But you can easily get around this inconvenience if you follow the method described below:

BBC iPlayer Only Works In The UK Issue: Solved

There are multiple reasons why BBC iPlayer is in such high demand. For starters, it has an impressive library while being completely free to view. It’s hardly surprising when so many people want to watch it. Unfortunately, only UK residents can do so. However, there’s an easy way to evade these restrictions. Just follow these few simple steps, and you’ll be streaming your favorite BBC shows in no time:

1. Start by downloading and installing PureVPN.
2. Now, connect to a PureVPN UK server.
3. Afterward, create a BBC iPlayer account or log in if you already have one (You’ll need a valid UK zip-code. You can use any valid code you can find on Google since BBC doesn’t actually check if you live there or not).

Once done, you can start streaming all your favorite shows without any issues.

Why BBC iPlayer Only Works in the UK

The BBC iPlayer is available for free in the UK. The most natural question you might wonder is how the service can be offered for free. Well, “free” may not really be the best way to define it. That’s because all UK residents have to pay something called a License Fee. This license fee is what’s used to fund the BBC iPlayer that’s available without any additional fees online as you’re provided with a TV License.

This fee isn’t mandatory, as all residents receive a yearly letter informing them of the dues. You can choose not to pay the fee but have to inform the BBC of your decision online. Once you do so, you can’t legally watch, download, or record BBC iPlayer or any of the BBC’s programs online.

This is why the BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK since UK residents primarily fund it.

Get the Best VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in the UK

This goes without saying, but you’ll need the best VPN on the market if you want to access BBC iPlayer whenever you want seamlessly. Thankfully, PureVPN checks all the right boxes to be the only VPN you’ll ever need. Not only does it have 500+ UK servers, ensuring you access to all your favorite UK content without any hiccups, but its dedicated streaming mode also ensures your customer experience remains topnotch. 

Moreover, PureVPN supports all major devices and OS such as Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Roku, FireTV, and Linux with downloadable clients for each available on PureVPN’s website for free.

Last but not least, PureVPN’s plethora of 6,500+ servers in more than 140 countries ensures that you never have to miss out on your favorite content from anywhere else in the world, with most streaming services and libraries available with a simple tap on the screen.

People Also Ask:

Here are some other questions you might have if you’re interested in watching BBC iPlayer outside the UK:

How can I download the BBC iPlayer app outside the UK?

There are two ways of downloading the app itself if you’re outside the UK. The first is relatively simple. Download the apk file and install it on your device. Alternatively, you can go to the Settings, then Apps, and then Google Play Store. Here, press Force Stop, followed by Clear Data. Now, connect to a UK server in PureVPN and open up Google Play Store. You should be able to search and download the BBC iPlayer without any issues.

For iOS, start by connecting to a PureVPN UK server. Then, go to Settings, then iCloud, and finally, press Create a new Apple ID. Fill in your info, and then select the UK as your country. You can now download the BBC iPlayer on your iPhone while using this new ID.

Which free VPNs work best with BBC iPlayer?

Almost all free VPNs promise to unblock geo-restricted streaming services like BBC iPlayer. However, few of them are ever up to the task since most services have complicated mechanisms to counter such attempts. If you really want to get around these restrictions, you’ll need a reliable and effective VPN such as PureVPN.

How long do BBC iPlayer downloads last?

The official BBC iPlayer app comes with a 30-day limitation. This means that all the videos and episodes you download for offline viewing expire after every 30 days. Fortunately, you can keep accessing them without any issues if you maintain a stable internet connection and refresh these downloads within that 30-day time frame.