How to Watch Hotstar From Anywhere With a VPN in 2025

Hotstar is the go-to streaming service for live cricket matches, Bollywood blockbusters, and popular Indian TV shows. Over time, however, its branding and availability have changed depending on the region, which can be confusing.

In some countries, Hotstar remains a standalone platform. In others, its content has been integrated into Disney+ or rebranded entirely. In India, the platform is now known as JioHotstar and offers the most extensive library of Indian shows and movies. However, it’s only available in India. Can I watch Hotstar outside India? Disney+ Hotstar and Hotstar still operate separately in some countries. However, their libraries differ significantly from JioHotstar in India.

A VPN lets you stream Hotstar in HD from anywhere. However, due to India’s data retention regulations, many VPN providers have removed their physical servers from the country. The good news is that top-tier VPNs — such as those recommended in this article — offer virtual Indian servers, which can provide you with a secure and reliable Indian IP address to watch JioHotstar securely.

How To Watch JioHotstar From Anywhere — The Ultimate Guide

Where is Disney+ Hotstar available? Hotstar (also known as Disney+ Hotstar) is officially available in India (JioHotstar), Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, and the UK. Hotstar was formerly available in the US but was discontinued in 2022. However, some content is still available on other services, like Hulu and Tubi.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to change your virtual location by routing your internet traffic through a secure server in another country, like India or the UK, where Hotstar is available. This provides safe access to Hotstar by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address.

If your streaming device doesn't support VPN apps directly, such as certain smart TVs, Roku devices, or gaming consoles, you can still enjoy Hotstar by installing a VPN on your router. This way, every device connected to your home network will benefit from the VPN connection.

1. Get a VPN

Choose a VPN that offers reliable Indian servers, for example, ExpressVPN. Visit the VPN provider's website, select an option that suits your budget, and complete your purchase.

2. Install the VPN App

If you’re on a computer, download the app from your VPN provider’s website. Android users can get the app from the Google Play Store, while iOS users can download it from the App Store.

For smart TVs, find your VPN in the app store (Apple TV App Store, Google Play Store for Android TV, or Amazon App Store for Fire TV). After installation, launch the app and log in with your account credentials.

3. Connect to a Server

Open your VPN app and look for the server list or location menu. Not many VPNs offer Indian servers, but if so, they are usually virtual (they provide an Indian IP, but the server is physically in another country). You might also have the option to select specific cities, so choose the location closest to you for the best speeds. Wait for the connection confirmation before proceeding.

4. Start Streaming JioHotstar

Open the JioHotstar app or website and log in or create an account. You're now ready to enjoy IPL matches and Indian shows in high definition without interruptions.

You can watch shows labeled as free on JioHotstar without needing an account

Where Can I Watch Hotstar Online?

JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar) is now the main streaming platform in India after merging with JioCinema in February 2025. This merger was meant to bring all content (including sports, movies, and TV shows) under one platform¹.

That said, you can still stream Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It offers content from Hollywood, Bollywood, and regional sources. However, Jio-exclusive or Jio-backed Indian shows are not available there, similarly to most Indian sports content (such as the IPL), which is only available in India due to licensing agreements.

In the UK, Canada, and Singapore, Hotstar is available as a standalone service, excluding Disney+ content. Instead, it focuses on Indian entertainment, sports, and regional programming.

How to Sign Up for JioHotstar

Hotstar offers different content libraries across various regions, but the Indian version (JioHotstar) provides the most extensive collection. It includes exclusive IPL cricket coverage, the latest Bollywood releases, popular shows, and the Disney+ catalog.

Sign Up for JioHotstar in India

The signup process for JioHotstar in India is straightforward. Follow these simple steps to create an account:

1. Visit the JioHotstar website. Head to JioHotstar's official website. You'll be asked to select your preferred languages, which helps personalize your content recommendations.
2. Choose any title to watch. Browse the homepage and click on any title you want to watch. This will trigger the login/signup process.
3. Enter phone number. You'll see a QR code and phone number entry option. Enter your Indian mobile number or scan the QR code with your phone.
4. Verify OTP. Enter the one-time password (OTP) sent to your mobile number.
5. Create your profile. Enter your name and age to complete your profile setup. You can now start watching free content or subscribe to access premium shows and movies.

Sign Up for Hotstar Outside India

The signup process for Hotstar in other countries like the UK and Canada is more conventional. You just have to visit the local Hotstar website, choose a subscription plan, create an account with your email, and pay using local payment methods. The exact steps and available plans may vary by region.

If you're looking to sign up for Hotstar India from abroad, there are several challenges to consider. You'll need both an Indian phone number for account verification and an Indian payment method for subscription. Even if you obtain these through third-party services, you must maintain access to the phone number for future OTP verifications and account recovery. The process is complicated, potentially unreliable, and might violate Hotstar's terms of service.

FAQs on Watching Hotstar With a VPN

Can I watch JioHotstar for free?

Sort of — you can watch select movies and shows (with ads) on JioHotstar India with a free account. However, you'll need a premium subscription to access the full library and unrestricted live sports streaming. The free version only allows limited minutes of live sports viewing, though some matches may be available for free depending on broadcasting rights. A premium subscription ensures you never miss any content you want to watch.

Can I watch Hotstar in Pakistan and the UAE?

No, JioHotstar isn't officially available in Pakistan and the UAE. There are a few streaming services that offer Hotstar content outside of India, but none of these are available in Pakistan and the UAE.

Is Hotstar available in the US?

No, Hotstar is no longer available in the US. However, some of the content from Hotstar is available on the Hulu and ESPN+ platforms, which are part of the Disney bundle. Due to licensing restrictions, the full Hotstar service is only available in select regions.

What if my VPN isn’t working with Hotstar?

First off, it’s important to choose a reliable VPN that works with JioHotstar. If you're still having trouble, try these simple troubleshooting steps to restore your connection:

• Switch VPN servers. If you’re seeing a proxy error, then the server you’re connected to is detected by the platform. Connecting to a different server should help.
• Clear your browser cache. Your browser might store conflicting data from previous sessions. Clear your cache and cookies, then restart your browser before reconnecting to your VPN.
• Change VPN protocols. Switch between available protocols (like WireGuard or OpenVPN) in your VPN settings. Some protocols work better than others for streaming.
• Update your VPN app. Running an outdated VPN version can cause connectivity issues. Make sure you have the latest version installed.
• Watch on a different device. Try watching Hotstar on a different device. VPN success rates vary across devices, and Reddit users have reported better results with Firestick.
• Contact VPN support. If nothing else works, reach out to your VPN's customer support. Premium providers often offer 24/7 support to help resolve streaming issues.

Are Disney+ and Hotstar the same?

No, they're different streaming platforms with a complex relationship. JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar) was originally Hotstar, an Indian streaming service owned by Disney. In India, it previously combined Disney+ content with Hotstar's local programming under the Disney+ Hotstar brand. However, in early 2025, Hotstar merged with JioCinema to become JioHotstar.

In other countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, the service still operates as Disney+ Hotstar, offering both Disney+ content and local programming. Meanwhile, in markets like the UK and Canada, Hotstar operates as a standalone service focused on Indian content, separate from Disney+.

References

1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/jiocinema-and-disney-hotstar-merge-to-form-new-platform-jiohotstar-announce-new-subscription-plans-101739502610427.html/