Bypassing Circle by Disney with a VPN like NordVPN is the fastest and easiest way to get around the parental control tool.
You can also get around Circle’s internet restrictions by using an Ethernet cable, spoofing your MAC address, disabling Circle on your router, adding a static entry, or removing the affected device from the list of controlled devices.
Keep reading for detailed steps on other methods and why a VPN is the best choice to bypass Circle by Disney restrictions.
How Circle by Disney Restricts Your Internet?
Circle by Disney is a physical internet monitoring and parental control device that restricts website access, time spent on the internet, and the content you encounter.
Here’s a complete overview of what this tool does:
- Restricts websites and platforms. Any online service, website, or platform restricted in the main app can’t be accessed by other devices connected to the Circle account.
- Limits time usage. Keeps you off the internet once you exceed your time quota.
- Monitors extra usage. Sends alerts to controlling devices once you exceed your allotted internet usage time.
- Filters searches. You might only see a few relevant results rather than all for websites and platforms you get access to.
However, Circle with Disney needs to be connected to your home network for this to work.
When connected, Circle uses ARP Spoofing technology to poison the internet connection on all devices connected to the home network.
Such poisoning contains codes limiting what your devices can do on the web, provided they’re linked to the Circle account.
In the following sections, this unique feature of Circle is what we’ll leverage to get around the restrictions.
6 Ways to Disable Circle by Disney Parental Controls
In the sections below, I’ll discuss six ways to get around Circle by Disney restrictions and enjoy the unfiltered internet without time limits.
Method #1: Use a VPN – Easiest and Most Straightforward Method
Recommended For: PC (Mac and Windows), Mobile (iOS and Android)
Reliable VPNs are engineered against ARP Spoofing with AES 256-bit encryption, making it impossible for Circle to intercept network communications between your device and the network.
However, that’s not the only way a VPN brilliantly bypasses Circle.
When Circle is linked to the home router, it registers the router’s IP address.
Thus, it restricts all units connected to that IP address.
Once you’re connected to a VPN server, your server (and your IP address) changes so that Circle can’t restrict you since you’re outside its jurisdiction.
How to Bypass Circle With a VPN?
Follow the steps below to bypass Circle with a VPN.
- Purchase a VPN subscription. I recommend NordVPN to bypass Circle.
- Download the VPN app for your mobile device or PC.
- Search for a close server location (to reduce ping) or automatically connect to the fastest server.
- Activate the VPN kill switch (only available on PC and Android. It’s automatic on iOS).
- Start enjoying the unfiltered internet.
This guide with NordVPN works across PCs and mobile devices.
But I’ll also suggest other mobile and PC-friendly VPNs to bypass Circle below.
So, let’s get to it.
Top 3 VPNs to Bypass Circle by Disney
NordVPN is the best value VPN to bypass Circle, but it’s not alone.
I tried many VPNs, but only ExpressVPN and Surfshark were good enough to round off the top three.
Keep reading to discover why you should choose these VPNs and discount offers to bypass Circle.
NordVPN – Best Value VPN to Bypass Circle
You can connect to any of NordVPN’s 5400+ fast servers in 60 countries to tunnel your data and avoid ARP Spoofing by Circle.
The extensive server locations mean there’s a high chance you find one in your country (or even city) to browse the web locally without Circle’s interference.
I also like that you get a VPN kill switch so that Circle never finds out you’re using a VPN if the connection drops. In fact, NordVPN is the only provider I recommend that provides two kill switches.
However, you get no physical kill switch in the iOS app since it’s built into the code.
Moving on, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, so your parents/the Circle network administrator can’t check what you’ve been doing on the internet.
Furthermore, this VPN provider offers AES 256-bit military-grade encryption on all servers. In other words, Circle can’t block your internet traffic now, and nobody gets to see what you’re doing on the internet either.
One of the reasons I said NordVPN is the best value VPN to bypass Circle is you can use the VPN on six simultaneous devices under the same subscription.
So, if you have multiple units blocked by Circle, you don’t have to get a separate NordVPN account for them.
Don’t forget to grab these NordVPN discounts to save more on your purchase today.
ExpressVPN – Obfuscation to Avoid Circle VPN Traffic Detection
Suppose you’re ever concerned that Circle may block VPN traffic.
In that case, ExpressVPN’s 3000+ obfuscated servers across 94 countries are the answer.
Interestingly, it’s the only VPN here to offer obfuscation on all servers under any protocol.
Besides never triggering any VPN traffic alerts, ExpressVPN is also fast with its obfuscation. Likewise, you stand a high chance of getting local servers since its spread covers 94 countries.
Like NordVPN, you get a kill switch (named Network Lock) everywhere except the iOS app.
Likewise, ExpressVPN has its no-logs claims audited by two cybersecurity companies. So, you can rest assured your data won’t fall into the hands of your parents/Circle device administrator anytime soon.
It needs no saying that ExpressVPN’s encryption is the real deal.
Likewise, you can beat ARP Spoofing and any other Circle tricks on five simultaneously connected devices with ExpressVPN’s advanced tunneling.
However, this is one of the pricier VPN providers here.
So, it’s best to take advantage of ExpressVPN discounts to get a better deal.
Surfshark – Bypass Circle by Disney on Unlimited Devices
Surfshark makes an excellent value argument by allowing you to bypass Circle on unlimited devices under one account/subscription.
You also get access to 3200+ fast servers in 65+ countries, so Circle can’t restrict you by identifying your device’s IP address on the home network anymore.
Besides, these servers are also protected by a 256-bit encryption for which the technology to decode isn’t here yet. So, nobody is getting access to your data anytime soon.
Furthermore, Surfshark follows in the footsteps of the other two providers, offering a physical kill switch in the PC/Android app but building it into the iOS app.
I’ve tested this and verified it works, so there’s nothing to worry about.
However, I was concerned that Surfshark is based in the Netherlands (a 14 Eyes surveillance country). Fortunately, it audited its no-logs claims, so your data isn’t falling into the wrong (or any) hands anytime soon.
You already know that Surfshark allows you to circumvent Circle by Disney on unlimited accounts without paying extra.
Still, you can enjoy these Surfshark discount deals to save more.
Method #2: Spoof Your MAC Address
Recommended For: PC (Windows and Mac)
Spoofing or changing your MAC address tricks Circle into thinking you’re not one of the devices it’s restricting, allowing you to access the internet unfiltered.
Internet-enabled devices register a MAC address with which other devices on the network (such as routers, connected units, and Circle) identify them.
Thus, Circle can also register the device MAC address and use that to identify devices to restrict on the home network.
However, there are a series of technicalities with spoofing your MAC address.
To start, you’ll probably need to download software to easily spoof your device’s original MAC address. Otherwise, you’ll have to go through code/script-related steps.
For example, I found a simple video on changing MAC addresses, which may still be too technical for many. Here’s how to do it on Windows:
And here’s how to do it on MacOS:
On top of that, the Circle network admin will be notified when you change your MAC address since it’ll register as a new device.
Thus, your parents/guardians/network admin still knows that someone is trying to game the system, and they can add the new MAC address to Circle.
Method #3: Disable Circle on Your Router
Recommended For: All devices (gaming consoles, PCs, mobile)
Disabling Circle on your router works if you have a compatible router, and the Circle app was set up to work with the router. However, you’ll need access to the primary/parent device.
In that case, reverse the process to enable Circle on your router, as shown in the video below.
Still, note that doing this removes ALL devices from the Circle by Disney control, making it easier for the network admin to find their settings were tampered with.
So, they just return the settings to normal, secure the router even better, and you’re back to where you started.
Method #4: Remove Device From Circle Main App
Recommended For: All devices
Circle admins need to manually add devices they want to be protected to the network. Thus, you can remove a single device from the main network and leave the others running under parental controls.
Again, you’ll need access to the Circle app to do this. Follow these steps to do that:
- Open the Circle app on the primary device.
- Tap the devices icon in the upper right of the screen.
- Locate your device and tap it.
- Tap “Remove from Circle” and confirm.
This method works best if the Circle admin hasn’t set an app PIN that prevents you from getting in and making changes.
However, you’ll need to hope they don’t find out you removed a device, at which point they could re-add you and tighten the Circle security.
Method #5: Add A Static Entry
Recommended For: PC (MacOS and Windows)
This method relies on finding the MAC address/IP address of the router where Circle is installed and setting that as your device’s MAC/IP address.
It works because while Circle poisons the internet connections and communication on other devices, it won’t poison itself. Thus, it’ll allow your device (which it sees as itself) unrestricted access to the internet.
That said, this is a technical approach with complex steps involved.
I’ve broken the steps down below.
- Open your PC’s command prompt console.
- Find the IP address of your router. Check the video below to do that on Windows or Mac.
- Download the ARP Ping program from TrenchTech. Save the downloaded file outside of your main drive (this should be the C:// directory)
- In the command prompt, enter the following line of code
Cd “c:/” arp-ping [ip address of router without brackets]
- You’ll get six sets of two digits (like 00:11:22:33:44:55) which is your MAC address. Note this down.
- Find your internet connection’s name. You’ll find this under Settings > Network and Internet > Change adapter options. It’s usually “Wi-Fi” on Windows, regardless of what you named the router.
- Enter the following line of code in the command prompt
For Windows:
Netsh -cinterface ipv4 add neighbor “connection name” “router IP” “router MAC address” store=persistent
For MacOS:
Sudo arp -s [router IP] [router’s MAC address]
- Run the code, and you should be free of Circle in about 15 seconds. During this time, the network may disconnect and reconnect.
You can always reverse the process by switching “add” for “delete” in the last line of code whenever you feel the network admin might be poking around.
That way, they don’t know what you’ve done, and you can keep enjoying your internet without Circle’s interference.
Method #6: Use an Ethernet Cable
Recommended For: PCs and gaming consoles
Some routers obey the parental control settings on the wireless connection but don’t incorporate it on their wired connections.
Suppose this is the same setup for your home router. In that case, you can get around Circle’s internet filtering and time limits by using the internet via Ethernet cables.
However, cables are highly visual. Since the router is likely not in a hidden place, your parents/guardians or the network admin will see them.
Thus, it’s a method that’ll only work best when
- You have access to the router.
- The network admin isn’t always around.
- You have a long enough ethernet cable to connect to your router and computer.
- Your router isn’t obeying the parental control settings on wired connections.
In this case, you’re still highly restricted as your internet usage depends only on when the network admins aren’t around.
What Devices Can You Bypass Circle on With a VPN?
VPNs are great for bypassing Circle on devices where you can download the native VPN app. This means mobile devices (Android and iOS), PC units (Windows and Mac), and some smart TVs.
You can also install a VPN on your router if the Circle app doesn’t block such and you have a compatible router. Fortunately, all my recommended VPNs for bypassing Circle restrictions offer a router app.
You can use an ethernet cable, spoof the MAC address, or try other discussed methods for devices that can’t take a native VPN app (such as gaming consoles).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Remove Circle by Disney on My iPhone?
Using NordVPN is the fastest way to remove Circle by Disney on your iPhone. NordVPN has a user-friendly iOS app that connects you to any of its 5400+ fast servers and prevents Circle’s access to your internet data.
You can also disable Circle on your router or remove your device from the parent’s phone. However, these fixes can easily be found and re-enabled with stronger measures to keep you from attempting such again.
How Do I Bypass Disney Circle Time Limit?
You can bypass the Disney Circle time limit by connecting to remote servers on a reliable VPN provider like NordVPN. These servers take you out of the IP range of Circle’s parental control to access the unfiltered web without time limits.
Can a VPN Bypass Disney Circle?
A reliable VPN can bypass the Disney Circle parental controls by connecting you to a server outside the IP range over which the app controls internet activities.
However, you’ll need a reliable VPN with robust encryption protocols to fight against the ARP poisoning techniques with which Disney Circle controls your device’s internet activity.
Likewise, you’ll need a VPN that offers obfuscation like ExpressVPN or NordVPN to defeat Circle if it’s been configured to block VPN traffic.
How Do I Bypass Circle Home Plus?
You can bypass Circle Home Plus on PCs and mobile devices by installing a reliable VPN and connecting to a remote server, removing you from the range of Circle’s controls.
You can also spoof your MAC address or add a static entry to your network configuration. Still, these technical approaches might cause your devices more harm if done incorrectly.
Likewise, you can remove your device from the main Circle app, but that relies on having access to the primary device and the network admin never finding out you removed a device.
Can a Free VPN Bypass Circle by Disney?
Free VPN providers don’t offer strong encryption to beat Circle by Disney. These free VPN providers are also notorious for IP/DNS leaks which don’t protect your device from Circle’s intrusive limitations.
On top of that, free VPNs may trigger VPN blocks in the Circle app since they lack obfuscation to bypass the service privately.
How to Bypass Circle Parental Controls on Orbi?
You can disable Circle on Orbi by NetGear by going through the following steps: Orbi App > Parental Controls > Disable Circle.
Note that disabling Circle in the main app alone while connected to the Orbi router doesn’t work, so you’ll have to log into the router settings to make these changes.
What Websites Does Circle Block?
Circle blocks access to websites based on different parameters such as a pre-set category (gambling, pornography, etc.), age range (Pre-K, adult, etc.), topics (science and technology, mature, etc.), and manually entered websites.
Can Disney Circle App See Internet History?
Disney Circle can’t see your internet history. Still, it can see what sites you visit to regulate or allow access to your viewing content.
However, it’s important to always clear your internet history whenever you bypass Circle by Disney, as this can be checked by a network admin with access to your phone/computer.
If that happens, it’s a dead giveaway you’ve been bypassing the parental control app, leading to more stringent measures against you.
Can Circle See Incognito?
Circle can’t see what you do in Incognito browsing mode, but it can still restrict the websites you access and set time limits for your internet access.
Thus, you can’t bypass the parental control tool by choosing a private browsing mode.
However, Incognito Mode browsing is recommended when you’ve successfully bypassed Circle restriction. That way, the network admin never finds out via your browser history if they check your computer.
Enjoy Your Newfound Internet Freedom
The internet was designed to be accessible for all, not restricted to some people. When Circle is used to limit your internet usage, you now know that a VPN is the fastest and easiest way to get around these restrictions.
Of the various VPNs, NordVPN remains the best bet for its vast library of servers, obfuscation to prevent Circle from detecting your VPN, and robust encryption protocols.
I recommend taking advantage of these NordVPN discount offers to defeat Circle’s restrictions.
