Traveling can be exciting, and nothing can bring the adventure to another level than some great streaming pleasure to kill the time on the road. But have you ever met this situation: you open your Amazon Prime Video app, start your favorite show, and find out you can’t play it? If you rely on Amazon Prime Video for entertainment like me, planning ahead is what you should do.
This article explains common issues you may run into when using Prime Video overseas, and also some practical fixes to keep your streaming smooth, no matter where you are heading.
1. Can You Watch Prime Video Abroad?
Yes, you can use Prime Video while abroad, but there are some limits. You can sign into your account from most countries, but the available titles can change because of regional licensing. Downloads might not play outside your home region, and some countries may block access entirely. You won’t lose your account, but how Prime Video works on your trip may differ from at home.
2. Common Issues Travelers Face
Here are the top things people often run into when trying to watch Prime Video abroad. See if you come across any of this, and we’ll teach you how to break them down in the next section.
1. Can’t access your account
Sometimes you are completely blocked from signing in, or you get error messages telling you that the video is unavailable in your location. This can happen when Amazon detects your IP or device location is outside the region and determines you have the right to certain services. This situation can also happen when your account’s country or region settings conflict with where you actually are.
2. Limited or different library of shows and movies
Most streaming licensing is region-based, and title availability changes due to this. When you travel to other countries. It is likely to find out that the titles you want to play is unavailable. You can’t not find it in the search bar, and even if you find it in your watching history, there will be a big chance that it is unavailable and cannot be played.
3. Downloaded titles not playing
You might feel safe after downloading Amazon Prime titles before you go. But don’t be happy so soon, you might find the downloaded video not playable. This is because some titles are not available in certain countries. And even if you have already downloaded, you still have to obey the rules of Prime Video.
3. Fixes & Solutions
Are you having any of the troubles we mentioned above? Don’t worry, the following guide is for you.
1. Check availability in your region
Before you pack and leave, please check how Prime Video works at your destination. Here is what you should do:
- Step 1: Go visit Amazon’s help pages and find the “Can I Watch Prime Video If I Travel Abroad?” section. It lists which titles are available where you’re heading.
- Step 2: Look for the “Watch While Abroad” label. That shows which shows and movies will still stream when you’re outside your home country.
- Step 3: If you’ll be staying longer than you planned, you might need to update your Amazon country settings, like your billing address or registered marketplace.
2. Use downloads for offline viewing
Download titles from Amazon Prime. After downloading, do a test while still in your home country to make sure the titles play correctly, but notice that once you click play, the 48-hour limitations will start to count down.
Be aware: downloading doesn’t always solve all issues. Some licenses restrict where downloaded content can be played. Content that worked for one trip may not work for another destination if license restrictions have changed. If you want to really download Amazon Prime videos to your devices without all these hassles, you can try out a third-party downloader like CleverGet Amazon Downloader.
3. Adjust your location settings when needed
If Prime Video thinks you’re “abroad” when you’re not, or you’ve moved countries, check your account settings. Make sure your Amazon country or marketplace matches where you actually are. Updating your registered address often clears up those “content unavailable” messages. Also, check your devices for region settings, or other location services can show you in the wrong country and trigger restrictions. Fixing those should get Prime Video working again.
4. Use a VPN
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) send your traffic through servers in another country, hiding your real location so you can access regional content from anywhere. It might sound technical, but basically, a VPN makes unblocking Prime Video simple. If you try a VPN, choose a reputable one that has good speed and doesn’t leak DNS, mitm etc., and be ready for potential glitches or needing to switch servers.
Conclusion
Watching Prime Video is not exactly like it is when you’re at home. And there are some troubles you might come across: Licensing, location settings, device restrictions, and downloaded content. All of these can conspire to limit your access. To make travel streaming less frustrating, remember to try out the solutions we have provided above. Wish you a wonderful journey ahead that is just as cinematic as the movie is.
