How To Change Your YouTube TV Location (And Bypass Content Restrictions)

Get a step-by-step by guide to changing your YouTube TV location, whether you're travelling or trying to catch out-of-market games.
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There are two main ways to change your location on YouTube TV: updating your playback area or changing your home area by putting a new zip code.

If you're hoping to trick YouTube TV into thinking you're in a different location than you are physically, unfortunately it's a little more complicated than simply popping on your favorite VPN.

But don't worry. We'll go over how to change your location, whether you just moved, are travelling out of state, or hoping to catch content not available to you locally.

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How to change your YouTube TV home area

Your home area is based on your home zip code. When you sign up for YouTube TV, you’ll enter your address to verify your service area and it'll inform the types of content the platform can show you.

It's important to note that you can only update your home area twice per year, and you must be in the new location to change your settings.

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

On desktop

  1. Open your preferred web browser and navigate to YouTube TV.
  2. Select your profile photo.
  3. Click on Location.
  4. Next to home area, click Update.

On Android and iOS

  1. Open the YouTube TV app on your smartphone.
  2. Select your profile photo > Location.
  3. Next to home area, tap Update

If you're trying to change your home area to one different from your current physical location, YouTube may ask to verify your location. Read how to spoof your location for more info.

How to update your playback area on YouTube TV

With YouTube TV, your current playback area is different from your Home Area. Instead, it's based on your current geographical area.

YouTube TV detects the area based on your current location tags, using things like your IP address or your device's GPS location. If you travel outside your home area, you won’t be able to watch local networks only available in your designated home area. Instead, you’ll have access to the local programs in the specific region you go to.

For example, let’s say you travel to another state. YouTube will bookmark the new location as your playback area and you’ll be able to watch the shows available to that location. You won't be able to record the content or catch your home area's local programs while you're physically away.

If you don't think your current playback area is accurate, here's how you can force it to update:

On your smart TV

To change the current playback area on your TV:

  1. Open the YouTube TV app on your TV.
  2. Click your profile picture.
  3. Select Location.
  4. Next to Current playback area, hit Update.
  5. On your mobile phone, go to tv.youtube.com/verify.
  6. If you want to spoof a different location then your current one, make sure you download a VPN mobile app to change your location. A GPS spoofing app may be needed as well.
  7. Allow the website to use your phone’s location. That will update your current playback area.

On iPhone, Android, or browser

To change your current playback area on your iPhone, Android, or web browser:

  1. Open the YouTube TV app or go to the YouTube TV website on your browser.
  2. Click your profile picture.
  3. Select Location.
  4. Next to Current Playback Area, choose Update.

How to spoof your YouTube TV location

If you want to change your location to one that's different from your current physical location, you'll have to go through a few more steps.

Usually, it can be as easy as connecting to a VPN server in the location you want to pretend to be in. That will change how your IP address is displayed to any site you connect to, making it seem like you're actually there. This is the method you can use for most streaming services.

This method should work if YouTube asks to verify your location through your browser. It can also help if you're travelling and want YouTube to keep showing you the same channels you watch at home. Turn the VPN on, connect to a server in your same area, and it'll be like you never left.

Here are three of the top VPNs for YouTube TV to try if you want to test it out:

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Sometimes, you'll be asked to verify your location through your device's GPS location, which is different from your IP address. Most VPNs won't be able to help you here.

The good news is Surfshark actually has a GPS spoofing tool built right into it, called GPS override. While this is currently only available on Android phones, it's a great tool that will make it much easier to convince YouTube TV you are where you say you are.

Spoof Your Android's GPS Location With Surfshark
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Learn More
On Surfshark's website
VPN
Surfshark
From $1.99/mo + 4 months extra
  • One of the ONLY VPNs to offer unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Get worldwide access to streaming services like Netflix with 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries
  • Excellent safety features like real-time malware defense, webcam protection, and more

If you're not an Android user, you can look for other GPS spoofing apps to try to achieve the same effect. We don't endorse these tools because we haven't fully tested them out yet, but they were very popular during the Pokémon Go era. Just make sure to read the reviews and privacy policy carefully before you download an unknown app to your phone.

Here are other methods to try if VPNs and GPS spoofers aren't working for you:

  • Try using the Fixed Location setting on the Location Guard browser extension
  • Remove location permissions from YouTube TV so it doesn't update your playback area when you're travelling

FAQs


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Can I watch YouTube TV outside my Home Area?

You can watch YouTube TV outside your Home Area by using a VPN. If you travel, your current playback area will recognize the new location.


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Why is YouTube TV showing the wrong location?

YouTube TV may be showing the wrong location if you frequently access the service outside your Home Area from a different device than the one you initially set up. You may need to remedy this by updating your location settings.


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Does YouTube TV block VPNs?

YouTube TV may block VPN connections. If that’s the case, you’ll likely get the error message “YouTube TV VPN proxy detected.” However, there are ways to bypass VPN blocks

Bottom line

YouTube TV streaming has allowed many people to cut the cable cord. Still, there are some settings you’ll need to be familiar with so that you can adjust the permissions as needed.

Knowing how to use YouTube TV more efficiently will give you the best viewing experience. If you travel and will need to bypass region blocks to view channels outside your home area, it’s a good idea to invest in a reliable VPN service. The best VPNs for YouTube TV will help keep your online activity private and protect you against internet hackers while streaming your favorite YouTube TV programs.

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Author Details
Patti Croft is a seasoned writer specializing in technology, with three years of experience. With a B.S. in Computer Science and a background as a technical analyst and security specialist, she covers a range of topics like data security and parental control software.
Kalleigh Lane is a passionate digital security advocate and the Lead Editor at All About Cookies. After completing her Master of Arts in English Literature, Kalleigh has gained over 5 years of editing and writing experience in the fields of cybersecurity, tech, and finance. She has been featured in major media outlets such as The Globe and Mail and CTV News, emerging as an advocate for digital security.