Does Private Internet Access Work in South Africa?

We are reader supported and may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Learn more.

Private Internet Access (PIA) works in South Africa once you install its PC and mobile app.

Then, connect to a preferred server to unblock Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix libraries in HD and 4K without MTN, Afrihost, or your SA ISP throttling your connection.

Furthermore, you can stream content on smart TVs and game consoles with PIA in South Africa using the home router, Smart DNS, and Virtual Wi-Fi router techniques.

Keep reading to learn more!

How to Use PIA on PC & Mobile in South Africa?

Mobile (Android, iOS) and PC (Windows, MacOS) users in South Africa can install the PIA app to watch House of Zwide on ETV, The Masked Singer on SABC3, or other target SA local content without lag.

Here’s what to do.

  1. Subscribe to PIA. To save BIG, grab my discounted PIA deals while they last!
Private Internet Access Plans & Price
Image for illustration only. Design, deals, and details may differ. Click on the image for current info.
  1. Download and install PIA on your PC from its website and mobile from Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS). I’ll use a Windows PC for this demo.
download pia for windows
  1. Launch the PIA VPN app, then enter your account “Username” and “Password” to log in.
pia log in
  1. Click the hamburger symbol at the top right corner.
locating hamburger symbol on pia
  1. Select “Settings.”
locating pia settings
  1. Navigate to “Privacy,” then check the “VPN Kill Switch” button. If the PIA VPN connection drops, this hides your IP from MTN, Afrihost, or your ISP or network admin.
locating vpn kill switch on pia
  1. Optional:  Enable the “PIA MACE” button. This blocks malware, trackers, and irritating ad pop-ups for secure and interrupted torrenting/streaming in South Africa.
locating pia mace
  1. Go to “General,” then choose a suitable PIA VPN protocol. I recommend WireGuard because it’s fast enough to watch Mzansi Magic, Soweto TV, and other content without lag.
locating wireguard protocol on pia
  1. Click the greater than sign next to the displayed VPN server. This opens PIA’s full server list.
greater than sign on pia
  1. Click “Choose automatically” to connect to the best and fastest PIA VPN server.
choose automatically for pia server
  1. Alternatively, type your preferred server country on the PIA’s search bar. I chose the United States to watch Band of Brothers on Hulu.
searching united states server on pia
  1. Test for IP/DNS leaks to ensure you’re browsing the internet over a PIA VPN-assigned IP address.
pia ip leak test results on us server
  1. That’s it! PIA is ready to unblock international and local content without stuttering connections. For example, I watched Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on Hulu in HD without lags using the PIA US New York server.
streaming celebrity wheel of fortune with pia on new york server

How to Set up PIA on Smart TVs/Gaming Consoles in South Africa?

You can use PIA in South Africa on gaming consoles and smart TVs in three ways.

The first is via your router, whereby you install and set up PIA on your home router, then connect your console or smart TV. However, this technique is limited to VPN-compatible routers.

Fortunately, PIA offers SmartDNS addresses in Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany. Therefore, you can use PIA SmartDNS to unblock BBC iPlayer (UK), Netflix US, and other geo-restricted content on Smart TVs and consoles.

Still, you’re limited to the 5 locations.

Thankfully, the third technique – Virtual Wi-Fi router – offers fast speeds and utilizes PIA’s entire server network. Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Already a PIA subscriber? If not, get these fantastic PIA offers to save big on your preferred subscription plan.
Private Internet Access Plans & Price
Image for illustration only. Design, deals, and details may differ. Click on the image for current info.
  1. Launch the PIA app on your PC, then enter “Username” and “Password” to log in.
entering username and password on pia log in
  1. Connect to PIA’s OpenVPN protocol because it’s reliable in routing VPN connections. Click the hamburger icon > Settings > Protocols > then select OpenVPN.
selecting openvpn protocol on pia
  1. Connect to a suitable PIA VPN server, depending on the streaming platform you want to unblock. For example, I watched NCIS (Netflix US) on my Samsung smart TV.
selecting us alaska server on pia
  1. Set up a Wi-Fi hotspot on your PC. Click the video below for straightforward steps.
  1. That’s it! You’ve got a PIA-enabled virtual Wi-Fi. So, open your smart TV or gaming console and look for the hotspot name in the Wi-Fi area.
  2. Enter the hotspot password to connect.
  3. Start streaming ABC iView, Amazon Prime Video, E.tv, SABC, or your favorite channels on your smart TV, and also play League of Legends, Minecraft, FFXIV, and other titles on your gaming consoles over a smooth connection without rubberbanding.

Does PIA Have South African Servers?

PIA has a South African server in Johannesburg. So, besides unblocking international content with PIA, you can get South Africa IP to access geo-restricted local TV channels, apps, banks, and sites.

For instance, I got PIA’s South Africa IP, allowing me to watch full episodes of Uzalo on SABC 1 in HD without speed buffers.

streaming uzalo with pia on south africa server

Furthermore, I unblocked other South African TV channels like Netflix SA, E.tv, kykNET, M-net, and Cape Town TV while outside the country. I also paid bills with my ABSA Bank using insecure public Wi-Fi networks.

Online Freedom With PIA in South Africa

PIA works in South Africa to unblock Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Netflix libraries, and other international streaming services with VPN servers in 91 countries.

Also, the VPN server network includes South African servers for expats to unblock Soweto TV, Mzansi Magic, and SABC 1 or securely transact on Standard Bank Group and FirstRand without geo-restrictions.

Grab my discounted PIA offers to enjoy secure online freedom in South Africa with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

PIA logo
pia devices
EXCLUSIVE November DEAL!
Our partner, Private Internet Access, offers an exclusive discount for a limited time! Don't miss out on the chance to save extra money.
OFFER EXPIRES IN:
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
TODAY!
VIEW EXCLUSIVE OFFER
Or Try Private Internet Access for FREE