Setup a UK VPN on Your iPad to Watch BBC iPlayer

Last Updated on August 9, 2024

Setting up a British VPN for an iPad in the UK

There are in truth quite a few methods to be able to bypass all the blocks that the big media sites like the BBC put up to block access from outside the UK.  However, the problem is that many of these revolve around software which is fine if you’re using a PC or Mac but not so good for a tablet or phone.

Fortunately, there are still ways to get these devices to work for instance the following procedure involves setting up a VPN in order to access these blocked sites.  In essence the end result is the same as using software, you are simply hiding your real location and supplying the IP address of a VPN server instead.   This method is easiest for accessing British TV on an iPad or smart phone for example.  Indeed, if you set up multiple VPNs it can be used to access content in any other country too.   The procedure is quite simple and if you have an account set up with a VPN provider like., it takes a couple of minutes per connection.

So, let’s go through the procedure

Enabling a UK VPN on an iPad to access the BBC

The title does sound a bit technical but don’t worry it’s very straight forward and you only have to do it once.

Using your iPad

  • Select Settings
  • Select General
  • Select Network (might be missing depending on iOS version)
  • Select VPN

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You should get to this screen, where you can see I have already set up a US VPN connection which I use from outside the US to watch USA only stuff like Hulu and NBC.  You would set a separate UK VPN connection to watch British TV e.g., stream BBC One to the USA.

  • Select Add VPN Configuration

Which will take you to the VPN configuration screen which can look a little daunting but is actually fairly straight forward.

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iPad VPN Settings

Leave the top tab set to L2TP and then fill in the following details.   These you should get from your VPN provider, if you’re using . ,  all these details are listed in the members area.

  • Description – Just use any descriptive name, useful to list which country it is.
  • Server – Name of the VPN server you’re connecting to (members area)
  • Account Name – Your Identity Cloaker username (or other service)
  • RSA SecureID – Leave this blank
  • Password – Password for your account.
  • Secret – VPN Secret Name (members area)

After filling that screen in, then you’re pretty much finished – remember to click save configuration before you exit and that’s it.

Additional VPNs Set UP

To enable each VPN just to select the one you need, then turn the slider above to ON.  In my example I have the UK VPN enabled, which means I have a British IP address and I’m able to watch BBC iPlayer, ITV or any other UK only website.  There’s no direct limit on the number of VPNs you can setup as far as I’m aware, but only create connections for countries you need.

What countries you have available will depend on the service you use; many only offer individual countries which mean you have to pay extra for each country.  However, a couple like Identity Cloaker offer all the countries for the subscriptions.  Remember these are not proxies, the servers must be VPN enabled – if you have access to proxies you will have to use another method (which I will post here soon)

Remember when the VPN is enabled all your traffic will be routed through that country.  So, if you have a UK VPN enabled all your Google results will be UK based, UK version of Amazon, Netflix etc – so make sure you turn it off when finished.

The VPN also supplies you with a secure connection so it’s worth enabling it whenever you’re doing something like accessing your email or banking sites especially through Wi-Fi in places like cafes, hotels or airports.

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4 Comments

  1. Ronald August 30, 2014
    • dotslash August 31, 2014
  2. dotslash August 24, 2014
  3. William August 7, 2014