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Hi, I live in Europe and have been given a new boxed Onn 4K streaming device.
I immediately recognised that these are geolocated mainly to USA use and currently have been unable to do anything with the device.
Is there any fix that allows non-Ammericans to use these outside of USA?
Any help welcome.
Thanks

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Do a search here. Its been discussed.

Basically you will need a vpn either from your mobile hotspot or through your router to by pass the location restriction.

The other threads can give you much better information as i never had to do it

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Using windows computer vpn to setup Onn box outside USA

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Yes you can absolutely do it but must follow the rules meaning using a VPN hotspot with USA as the server. I’ve done it, wrote here about it and also given the SS instructions how to set up a PC hotspot. It should be easy to find.

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The 4k Never had the Geolocation problem and it’s not been reported here of any issues. A few people did mention the Pro did. I used a VPN hotspot for my pro but the 4k, regular setup.

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Hi Wizzard, thanks for your response.
I should have checked this site sooner but did not find anything of help via google previously.
Unfortunately, I get the USA & Puerto Rico geolocation message on the 4K device at start up, so its not looking too promising.
I have viewed your excellent notes and will follow them and see how far I get.
I will respond further once I have the opportunity to try out your instructions.
Thanks again.

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They must have changed the software on the 4k as before it was not an issue. They were Surfshark notes that I used and posted here. I figured there would be many people who might benefit from them. Remember, SS cannot have a mobile VPN hotspot but on a PC, yes.

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This was reported November 4, 2024

The best way to use would be getting a router based USA vpn setup to get round the geo lock.

If you use the computer based method to setup the Onn box - turn off updates

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Yup, exactly right and it’s what I did. It’s all factual and once the box is set up, it doesn’t matter where your VPN is set ** For now ** This was the link I posted to set up and the one I used. Please note, there is a benefit to using your Onn VPN set to a USA server as the menu changes and you get more than you do just pointed somewhere else. The weird this is the home screen is dynamic and if you change to Canada per say, it immediately changes, put it back to the USA and voila, you have the extra stations and Google Free play that is not just pluto.

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Just a heads up to explain that the same device is now on sale in Europe and hence the US version has been region locked, as part of the licensing deal.
If you google “Thomson streaming box 270” you will see that it is the same box, made for europe

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They are a bit pricey in the UK lol

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3 versions on sale

Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270UK, Google TV 4K, Pro Streaming Device, 4K UHD Resolution, Dolby Vision and Dolby ATMOS, Hands-Free Voice Control, Smart Hub £123.71

Thomson Streaming Stick 140UK, 4K UHD, Google TV, Google Voice Control,Wifi, Googlecast built-in £39.99

Thomson Streaming Box 240UK, 4K UHD, Google TV, Google Voice Control,Wifi, Googlecast built-in £44.99

Known issue with these - The issue is that in the UK, many of the mainstay streaming services for on-demand TV are not available to install. No BBC iPlayer, ITV X, Channel 4, I only saw My5 available. Rather frustrating as this device runs the same Google TV Android 12+ OS as the Google Chromecast (with Google TV) streamer, even has the same CPU, GPU and RAM but for some reason the apps are just absent from the on-device app store and installing from play.google.com reveals that the apps “are not supported on this device”.

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You can get the BBC iPlayer app from Tech Doctor website

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Yeah it looks like it doesn’t have the licenses to use the UK catch up apps but not many devices actually have all the licenses.
You can sideload them but they won’t be the official apps and may have lower resolution than the official apps…

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I managed to get the 270 box (ONN lookalike) from Belgium, when it was on sale, for £78. So maybe BF sales are the best way. I’m using it in the UK and the “tech doctor” iPlayer app, i mentioned, has the same resolution as the official app. Also ITVX is now shows as available from the play store. All in all it’s a good box and I can see why it’s so popular in the US, especially at the price

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@scouserman Can you watch the UHD content like the official iplayer app?

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Bit expensive and that was a huge part of the allure in the USA, price point. It seems it’s been around for quite awhile too.

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Official streaming apps should be available from google playstore but it looks like the broadcasters want to make it difficult to install them.

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I think it is just like lots of official streaming apps that are Geo locked to protect the content within its borders.

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@MikeN & @Wizzard thanks for your help. I have the Onn 4K up and running via router. The box had previously been factory reset (by me!) and this has not caused any issue I am aware of.
The guy who got it for me purchased it off Amazon USA and was delivered in UK for £36.
My interest was looking for a low cost firestick replacement in the event the FS is ever blocked.
Appreciate your help.

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