How to Watch Hotstar in USA / UK: In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to stream Hotstar outside India, whether you’re in the USA, UK, or any other country. You’ll learn how to access Indian entertainment, including live cricket and other sports, through the Hotstar app on FireStick, Android, and iOS, as well as via the official website on your computer.
Hotstar is one of the top platforms for watching Indian movies, TV shows, and sports content. If you’re looking to enjoy Indian entertainment from abroad, it’s one of your best options. Often referred to as the “Netflix of India,” Hotstar offers over 50,000 hours of streaming content—including live TV, on-demand shows, and exclusive international titles.
Hotstar: Your Gateway to Indian Sports & Entertainment—Even Outside India
Hotstar has gained massive popularity in India, especially for streaming live cricket, including major tournaments like the IPL (Indian Premier League) and the ICC World Cup. While cricket is the platform’s most-watched sport, Hotstar also offers live coverage of Football, Tennis, Hockey, Boxing, and more. The platform is owned by STAR India, one of the country’s largest media companies, which also operates the Star Sports network. As a result, most Star Sports broadcasts are available directly through Hotstar. Although Hotstar is officially accessible in countries like the USA and the UK, international versions come with limitations. Much of the Indian content—including live matches and the latest shows—is geo-restricted. But don’t worry; there’s a way around it.
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How to Watch Hotstar in the USA or Anywhere Worldwide
Hotstar’s Indian catalog is geo-locked, meaning much of its content is unavailable to viewers outside India. Even if you live in the US or UK where Hotstar is officially available, you’ll find the selection limited—and significantly more expensive. In India, a Hotstar Premium annual subscription costs around $19. In contrast, Hotstar in the USA charges $99.99 annually—over five times the price—while offering a smaller content library. Thankfully, there’s a workaround. By using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you can bypass geo-restrictions and gain access to Hotstar India, no matter where you live.
A VPN masks your actual IP address and virtually places you in India by routing your connection through an Indian server. This not only gives you access to the full Indian Hotstar library but also ensures your online activity remains private and secure. After testing multiple VPNs, I personally recommend ExpressVPN. It’s fast, secure, and works reliably with Hotstar. Right now, they’re offering a special deal: 61% off plus 4 extra months free with their 2-year plan. ExpressVPN is compatible with nearly every major platform, including FireStick, Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS.
Connect to an Indian Server to Access Hotstar Outside India
To watch the Indian version of Hotstar from abroad, your first step is to connect to a server located in India using ExpressVPN. Just follow the steps below to get started:
- Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. If you’re not satisfied (which is unlikely), you can request a full refund within the first month.
- Step 2: Download and install the ExpressVPN app on your device.
- Step 3: Launch the ExpressVPN app and connect to an Indian server. To do this, click “Choose Location” on the app’s main screen.
- Step 4: In the server list window titled “ExpressVPN – VPN Locations”, go to the “All” tab.
- Expand the “Africa, Middle East & India” region.
- Click to expand “India.”
- Double-click on any Indian server listed to initiate the connection.
Once connected, you’ll be virtually browsing from India—giving you full access to Hotstar India’s complete content catalog at a much lower subscription price.
How to Sign Up for Indian Hotstar from the USA or Any Other Country
Hotstar India offers a wide range of free content that doesn’t require you to sign up or log in. So if you’re only interested in watching free Indian movies and TV shows, simply connect to an Indian VPN server (as explained earlier), visit Hotstar.com, and start streaming—no account needed.
However, if you want to access premium content like live Cricket tournaments, Disney+ shows, and blockbuster Indian films, you’ll need to create an account and subscribe to a paid plan. Once the payment is complete, just connect to an Indian server using your VPN and start streaming premium Hotstar India content.
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Steps to Sign Up for Hotstar India
Step 1: Open your browser and go to hotstar.com/in Click on “CHOOSE YOUR PLAN” to see the subscription options.
Step 2: Select your preferred plan. All prices are in Indian Rupees (INR):
- INR 1499/year (~$19): Best value. Gives you full access to Hotstar India’s premium library, including Disney+, sports, and TV shows for a year.
- INR 299/month (~$4): Grants one-month access to premium content. Renews automatically unless canceled.
Step 3: Create your account by entering your name, email address, and password. Alternatively, you can sign up using your Facebook account. Once registered and subscribed, turn on your VPN, connect to an Indian server, and start enjoying Hotstar India from anywhere in the world.
Step 4: Complete the Sign-Up by Making the Payment Once you’ve selected a subscription plan, follow the on-screen instructions to complete your payment and finish the registration process.
Change Your Region to Download the Hotstar App (If Needed)
Depending on your location, you may or may not need to change your app store region to download the Hotstar app. This step varies by country and platform.
How to Access Hotstar via the Website
If you’re using a computer and want to watch Hotstar in the USA, UK, or any other country, you don’t need to change your app store region.
Here’s what to do:
- Launch the ExpressVPN app on your computer and connect to an Indian server.
- Open your browser and go to www.hotstar.com.
- Log in to your account and start streaming your favorite content instantly.
Hotstar Availability in the USA
Hotstar is officially accessible in the United States. Here’s where you can download the app without needing to change your region:
- Android Devices: You can directly download the Hotstar app from the Google Play Store in the U.S. It works smoothly on Android smartphones and tablets.
- Amazon Devices: The app is available on the Amazon App Store for FireStick and Fire TV. No region change is needed.
- iOS Devices: Hotstar is also available on the Apple App Store in the U.S., compatible with iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch. Again, no need to change the region settings.
Hotstar Availability in the UK
Hotstar is officially offered in the UK and comes with two subscription options:
- £59.99/year (with savings of £84)
- £11.99/month
You can download the Hotstar UK app from all major platforms, including the Google Play Store, Amazon App Store, and Apple App Store, without needing to switch regions.
Why Watch Hotstar India Instead?
While Hotstar UK provides access to Indian content like movies, TV shows, and cricket, much of Hotstar India’s library is geo-restricted and unavailable in the UK.
Additionally, Hotstar India is far more affordable:
- INR 1499/year (≈ £15)
- INR 299/month (≈ £3)
That’s nearly 6 times cheaper than Hotstar UK.
If you want access to the full Indian content catalog at a lower price, follow the steps in this guide to unlock Hotstar India using a VPN.
How to Change the Region in Different App Stores
If Hotstar isn’t officially available in your country, you can change your app store region to India by following these steps:
Google Play Store
- Sign in to your Google account here.
- Click on the Settings option in the left sidebar.
- Change your country to India.
- Update the address details under Name and Address with an Indian address. (You can generate a random Indian address online if needed.)
Apple App Store
For detailed instructions, you can visit Apple’s official support page. Here’s a quick overview:
- Open Settings on your iOS device.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Select iTunes & App Store.
- Tap View Apple ID on the popup. Authenticate if required.
- Tap Country/Region.
Follow the on-screen prompts to select India and update your region.
Amazon Store
- Go to the Amazon website via this link.
- Click on the Settings tab on the right.
- Under Country Settings, click the Change button and select India as your new region.
How to Install Hotstar and Use It with a VPN
Now that you know how to change the region in the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Amazon App Store, you can easily download and install Hotstar in the USA, the UK, or anywhere else around the world. Let me walk you through installing and using the Hotstar app on a FireStick or Fire TV device. The process is quite similar on other platforms as well; the only difference is the app store from which you download Hotstar. If you have an Android device, download Hotstar USA from the Google Play Store. For iOS users, download it from the Apple App Store.
Let’s begin with the FireStick method.
- From the FireStick home screen, use your remote to select the search icon (magnifying glass) in the top-left corner.
- Type “Hotstar” using the remote or any other input method available.
- Select the Hotstar app from the search results that appear below the on-screen keyboard.
- Click the Hotstar app icon on the next screen.
- Hit the Download button. The FireStick will start downloading the app, and once finished, it will install automatically.
- After installation, you’ll see the ‘Open’ button. Do not open the app yet. Before launching Hotstar, open ExpressVPN and connect to an Indian server. This ensures Hotstar loads the Indian version of the app.
- Once connected to the Indian server via ExpressVPN, go to ‘Your Apps & Channels’ and launch Hotstar from there.
If connected properly, you’ll see the Hotstar home screen as it appears in India.
Using Hotstar in the USA with the Indian Interface
Live cricket matches and other programs labeled “Premium” require a Hotstar subscription. If you want to watch Hotstar outside India for free, you can stream all videos that are not marked as Premium without signing up. When I tried accessing a live cricket match without a subscription, I received a message asking me to buy the Sports or other premium plan to watch. If you’ve already created an account and purchased a premium plan, simply click ‘Sign In’ to log in. On the sign-in screen, use the same credentials you created during signup. If you signed up using Facebook, log in with that; otherwise, enter your email and password and click ‘Login.’
How to Watch Hotstar in the USA Without Using a VPN
- Hotstar is officially available in the US via the Play Store, App Store, and Amazon Store.
- Simply download the Hotstar USA app and launch it. You’ll be prompted to sign in or sign up at us.hotstar.com/activate and enter the code displayed on your device screen.
- If you signed up for Hotstar India earlier (to use with a VPN), you will need to create a new account to use the official Hotstar USA service, as pricing, policies, and terms differ.
- For example, Hotstar India’s yearly subscription costs about $19, while in the US, it’s $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually.
- Personally, I prefer using a VPN since it’s more cost-effective and grants access to the full Indian library, including geo-restricted content.
- However, if you prefer to use Hotstar USA, visit us.hotstar.com/activate, click the ‘Sign Up’ link under the ‘Sign In’ button, and register using either your Facebook account or email address.
- Enter your payment information and follow the on-screen instructions to subscribe. The US plan offers a 7-day free trial with the $9.99 monthly rate.
- After signing up, you’ll be automatically logged in. You can also sign in later at the same activation URL and enter the code shown on your Hotstar app to start streaming.
- That’s how you can watch Hotstar in the US without using a VPN.
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How to Watch Hotstar Outside India for Free
Although Hotstar is primarily a subscription-based streaming service, it also offers a wide range of free content that doesn’t require registration. While this free content is officially available only within India, you can still access it from outside India by using a VPN.
- Launch ExpressVPN on your device and connect to an Indian server.
- If you’re on a computer, visit www.hotstar.com and select any content that is not marked as ‘Premium’ to watch for free.
- If you’re using the Hotstar app, simply open the app and start streaming the free content available.
It’s that simple—just make sure you are connected to an Indian VPN server!
Hotstar Cricket Schedule
For cricket enthusiasts, Hotstar India is the go-to platform for live cricket streaming. Here are some of the ongoing and upcoming cricket events available on Hotstar:
- India vs Australia
- Indian Premier League (IPL)
- India vs South Africa
For the latest updates on cricket tournaments, you can check out the official Hotstar cricket page.
Wrapping Up
That’s how you can watch Hotstar from the USA, the UK, or virtually any country worldwide. The key to unlocking Hotstar’s full library and bypassing geo-restrictions is using a reliable VPN. A quality VPN lets you virtually change your location, giving you access to geo-blocked apps, websites, movies, and shows. I personally recommend ExpressVPN, which I have been using for a long time. This guide ensures you can enjoy Hotstar in the USA or any other country just as if you were in India. Unlike Netflix, Hotstar hasn’t blocked VPN servers, so you can connect to nearly any Indian server and enjoy seamless streaming without any hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch free content on Hotstar outside India?
You can watch Hotstar’s free content outside India by using a VPN to connect to an Indian server. Once connected, visit Hotstar’s website or open the app and stream any video that isn’t labeled ‘Premium’ without needing to sign up.
Is it possible to watch live cricket on Hotstar from other countries?
Yes, live cricket matches such as IPL, India vs Australia, and India vs South Africa are available on Hotstar. By connecting to an Indian VPN server, you can access these live streams even if you are outside India.
Why do I need a VPN to watch Hotstar content outside India?
Most Hotstar content is geo-restricted to India. A VPN masks your actual location by connecting you to an Indian server, allowing you to bypass these restrictions and access Hotstar’s full content library from anywhere.
Does Hotstar block VPN servers like Netflix does?
No, Hotstar currently does not block VPN servers as aggressively as Netflix. You can use most Indian VPN servers to stream Hotstar content without interruption or errors.
What VPN service is recommended for streaming Hotstar internationally?
ExpressVPN is a popular choice for streaming Hotstar outside India due to its fast speeds, stability, and extensive server network, including multiple Indian servers optimized for streaming.
Can I watch Hotstar without registering for an account?
Yes, you can watch a variety of free content on Hotstar without creating an account. However, premium content like live cricket and Disney+ shows requires signing up for a subscription plan.
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