How To Get BBC iPlayer On Android In Australia [Easy Guide]

Last updated: December 4, 2023

Can you watch BBC iPlayer on Android in Australia?

Yes, you can easily get BBC iPlayer on Android devices in Australia. However, to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia on devices like Android you’ll need a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN to bypass the platform’s geo-restrictions smoothly.

BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular UK-based streaming services that allow you to watch all your favorite media content in one place. The best thing about the service is that it offers an attractive Android app that enables you to stream the best BBC iPlayer movies, and other content while living in Australia hassle-free.

Read this post in detail if you want to discover how to get BBC iPlayer on Android in Australia.


How to get BBC iPlayer on Android in Australia? [5 easy steps]

Luckily, watching BBC iPlayer while residing in Australia is not a difficult task. If you want to get BBC iPlayer on your Android phones in Australia, follow these steps as described below:

  1. Subscribe to a VPN service (Our recommended choice is ExpressVPN).
  2. Download the VPN app on your Android device.
  3. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account using your credentials.
  4. Connect to a UK server from the servers’ list (preferably the Docklands server).
  5. Open the BBC iPlayer app, log in to your account, and start watching the best BBC iPlayer movies, movies, TV channels, and documentaries.


Why Do You Need A VPN To Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia?

BBC iPlayer offers its broadcasts only in the UK and its territory. Therefore, to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia, you’ll get help from a Virtual Private Network. It circumvents the platform’s geo-limitations and lets you access BBC iPlayer in Australia.

If you try to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia, the service provider will show you the following error message:

“BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues. In the UK? Here’s some advice.”

BBC-iplayer-geo-error

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted in Australia

To avoid receiving this error, a VPN will provide you with a temporary UK IP address in order to mask your Australian IP location. The process will give you easy and quick access to BBC iPlayer in Australia.

You can use the same method to unblock the BBC iPlayer app on your Android, iPhone, Roku, iOS, and Windows.


Which VPNs Work Best With BBC iPlayer on Android in Australia?

When it comes to watching BBC iPlayer on Android in Australia as per your preferences, the role of a VPN comes in handy. However, not all VPNs allow you to unblock BBC iPlayer in Australia.

Thus, we tested 20+ VPNs and have curated a list of three (3) best VPN services that will help you access BBC iPlayer in Australia. These VPN services include:

 1) ExpressVPN – Our #1 Recommended VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer on Android

ExpressVPN-unblocked-BBC-iPlayer-on-Android

ExpressVPN unblocked BBC-iPlayer on our Android

ExpressVPN is one of the premium VPN service for iPlayer services available in the market. The VPN provider mainly operates from the user-friendly jurisdiction, the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

It operates with 3200+ servers that are present in 100+ countries globally and are capable of unblocking different platforms’ strict geo-restrictions easily.

If we discuss its presence in the UK, ExpressVPN offers four dedicated server locations in different cities like London, Wembley, and Docklands. Connect with any of the servers, and you can watch famous shows on BBC iPlayer like Casualty, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness, and My House.

We also tested ExpressVPN‘s UK server while watching BBC iPlayer in Australia and got an amazing download speed of 86.00 Mbps and an upload speed of 79.42 Mbps. Even with this speed of VPN, you can get BBC iPlayer on Mac in Australia.

ExpressVPN-speed-test-results-for-bbc-iplayer

We tested ExpressVPN’s UK server to watch BBC iPlayer and got blazing fast speeds

Apart from server locations, it provides numerous security and privacy features to its users. These features are network lock, split tunneling, IP leak protection, DNS leak protection, WebRTC leak protection, 256-bit encryption, and five simultaneous connections.

Get your ExpressVPN subscription in Australia for 12 months + 3 months free only at AU$ 10.2/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free alongside a 30-day money-back guarantee. In case you want more details about this provider, make sure to go through the ExpressVPN review.


2) Surfshark – The Cheapest VPN for streaming BBC iPlayer on Android

Surfshark-unblocked-BBC-iPlayer-on-Android

Surfshark unblocked BBC iPlayer on our Android

Surfshark is the cheapest VPN service you can trust when it comes to watching BBC iPlayer in Australia. Interestingly, the service also operates from the British Virgin Islands (BVI), like ExpressVPN.

As far as Surfshark‘s presence in the UK is concerned, it offers four exclusive server locations in different cities. These cities are London, Manchester, and Glasgow. Globally, it operates 3200+ servers located in 100+ countries.

With these competent UK servers, you can instantly watch some of the amazing BBC TV shows, including Not Going Out, Pretty Little Liars, Normal People, Doctor Foster, and Miranda, on your Android devices.

Let’s talk about the speed test results of the UK servers of Surfshark in Australia. Surprisingly, the London server managed to provide a good download speed of 86.55 Mbps and an upload speed of 49.42 Mbps. With such speed, you can get BBC iPlayer on your PS4 and PS5 in Australia.

Surfshark-speed-test-results-for-bbc-iplayer

We tested Surfshark’s UK server to watch BBC iPlayer and got blazing-fast speeds

Surfshark provides several streaming features like an internet kill switch, dedicated IP address, ad blocker, unlimited simultaneous connections, and 256-bit encryption. These security features let you watch BBC iPlayer on Chromecast in Australia in a secure manner.

To get your Surfshark subscription in Australia, you will only need to pay AU$ 3.81/mo (US$ 2.49/mo) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee and also get benefits with its 30-day refund policy.


3) NordVPN – A high number of UK-based servers

NordVPN-unblocked-BBC-iPlayer-on-Android

NordVPN unblocked BBC iPlayer on our Android

NordVPN is our third best option to watch BBC iPlayer on smart phones while living in Australia. It is the most reliable VPN service and provides four dedicated UK server locations to let you watch a multitude of media content.

In total, there are 6000+ ultra-fast servers located in 61 countries worldwide. Connect with the UK server of NordVPN and enjoy watching Line of Duty, Syndicate, Keeping Faith: Series 3, and EastEnders.

We connected to the Manchester server of NordVPN, and our speed test results revealed the perfect downloading speed of 84.55 Mbps and uploading speed of 42.15 Mbps on our 100 Mbps connection. With such speed, you can get BBC iPlayer on iPad in Australia.

NordVPN-speed-test-results-for-bbc-iplayer

We tested NordVPN’s UK server to watch BBC iPlayer and got blazing-fast speeds

Apart from this, NordVPN offers a great mix of security and privacy features to its users like an internet kill switch, dedicated IP address, six simultaneous logins, IP leak protection, OpenVPN protocol, 256- bit military-grade encryption, obfuscated servers, smart play.

Regarding pricing, the Panama-based VPN service NordVPN provides its 2-year plan to its users at the cost of AU$ 6.1/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend, along with a 30-day refund policy.


Can I Watch BBC iPlayer on my Android Without the App?

If you have not installed a BBC iPlayer app on your Android device, you can still watch BBC iPlayer accordingly. For that reason, you will have to visit the official website of BBC iPlayer through your Google Chrome or other web browsers.

Hence, you can watch some of the best movies of all time like The Accountant, Red Joan, I, Tonya, The Man Who Stare at Goats, and True Story instantly.


Why is my BBC iPlayer not Working on my Android?

When the BBC iPlayer app stops working on your Android phone, you should look for the following possible glitches. Firstly, you should check your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection to see if it is working or not.

If the problem still persists,

  • Remove the existing app and re-install the app from UK Google Play Store.
  • Enable cookies when signing into your BBC iPlayer account if you are facing issues during the sign-in process.

What Android version do you need for BBC iPlayer?

To access the BBC iPlayer app or website, your device must be running Android 5.0 or Fire OS 5 or higher. You should install the latest version of the BBC iPlayer app to avoid facing issues while using the app on your Android mobile phone.

Since August 2020, BBC iPlayer has stopped supporting the older versions of Android devices. Therefore, users who are trying to install the latest app of BBC iPlayer on their older Android phones, will not be able to do so.


How much mobile data does BBC iPlayer use?

As far as mobile data consumption of BBC iPlayer is concerned, it consumes 50 MB to 350 MB data per hour while watching media content including TV shows, movies, documentaries, and TV channels.

Based on the above statistics, your BBC iPlayer app will use more or less 1.5 GB of data if you watch media content on your Android mobile for up to four (4) hours.

If you want to conserve your mobile data, you should use your Wi-Fi network. This way, you can save hundreds of bucks and watch all your favorite content under your budget.


Wrapping Up

In conclusion, you can easily get BBC iPlayer on Android if you have a reliable VPN service to unblock the streaming service while living in Australia. By doing this, you can effortlessly stream all the well-known TV shows such as Crossfire in Australia and British TV channels including BBC News, BBC One, BBC Three, S4C, and many more.

Simply, connect with the ExpressVPN UK server and browse the BBC iPlayer Android App in your Play Store. Install the app, create an account and start watching BBC iPlayer in Australia without any glitches.

This proves that you can get BBC iPlayer on multiple devices by just connecting to a premium VPN because there are many options. Still, if you are not satisfied connecting with any device, you are free to cancel your BBC iPlayer subscription in Australia.

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