Does Private Internet Access Work in Turkey?

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PIA doesn’t work reliably in Turkey because the government actively blocks the VPN.

However, you can still configure PIA in Turkey using a unique technique I’ll discuss in this guide.

Additionally, PIA has a Turkish server you can connect to outside (or inside) the country.

And if you want a more reliable provider in Turkey, I cover robust PIA alternatives.

Keep reading for the setup guides!

How to Use PIA on PC & Mobile in Turkey?

If you want to use PIA in Turkey, you’ll need to unblock the site, which the Turkish government currently restricts. Follow these steps:

  1. Click this exclusive deals link to visit the free VPN provider Proton VPN.
  2. Click “Get Proton VPN Free.”
proton vpn website
  1. Enter your email address to create your account, and click “Start using Proton VPN.”
proton vpn account creation
  1. On the next page, set a strong password for your account.
proton vpn password
  1. From your account dashboard, choose a device to install Proton VPN on. This should be the same device on which you want to use PIA in Turkey. For this demo, I’m using a Windows PC.
proton vpn app downloads
  1. After installing Proton VPN, log in to your account.
proton vpn account log in
  1. Connect to a server location where PIA isn’t blocked. I recommend using a US server.
proton vpn connected to united states server
  1. Then, click this PIA promo link to visit its official site, which is now unblocked in Turkey.
  2. Click “Try PIA Now.”
private internet access website
  1. Select the plan you prefer. I recommend the 2-year plan for the most savings, plus 2 months free.
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  1. Choose your payment method and complete the payment.
private internet access payment methods
  1. Visit the PIA download page and download the app on your preferred device.
private internet access app download page
  1. After successfully downloading the app, disconnect from Proton VPN.
  2. Launch the PIA app.
  3. Log in to your PIA account and connect to a preferred server. For example, I connected to the UK London server.
private internet access london server
  1. Unblock social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram that the Turkish government regularly imposes blocks on. I connected to the UK London server to unblock X securely from Turkey!
access x using private internet access london server

How to Use PIA on Your Gaming Console or Smart TV in Turkey?

As PIA is blocked in Turkey, you must first use Proton VPN to unblock PIA and create an account.

After this, you can install PIA on your router to cover all connected devices, including gaming consoles and Smart TVs. Alternatively, you can set up its Smart DNS on these devices.

Method #1: Set Up PIA on a Router in Turkey

Here’s how to do this:

  1. Double-check that your router is compatible with PIA by checking this list.
  2. Create a free Proton VPN account with this link.
  3. Follow steps 2-7 from the Mobile/PC setup guide above.
  4. Create your PIA account via this special deals link.
  5. Install PIA on your router using this video. Follow these dedicated PIA-router VPN setup guides, depending on your router firmware.
  6. Connect your smart TV or gaming console to the PIA-enabled router you’ve just set up.
  7. Unblock and play games like GTA V and Valorant, and stream your favorite Netflix libraries from Turkey.

Method #2: Use PIA Smart DNS in Turkey

Smart DNS helps you unblock content on your smart TV and gaming consoles, offering faster speeds since it doesn’t use the VPN’s encryption

Here’s how to get it working in Turkey:

  1. Sign in to your PIA Client Control Panel.
private internet access client control panel
  1. Select “Smart DNS” from the left-hand side menu.
private internet access smart dns tab
  1. Select the option to add a new device and choose a relevant device from the drop-down menu.
private internet access smart dns set up
  1. Choose the content library location you’d like to connect to. For instance, you can choose the UK to access BBC iPlayer on your smart TV.
private internet access smart dns location
  1. Wait a couple of seconds for your Smart DNS IP to activate.
private internet access smart dns ip
  1. Copy your Smart DNS IP address and open network settings on your TV to update the existing DNS with the one given.
  1. Check out this guide to update the DNS settings on your gaming console.
  1. Enjoy reliable content unblocking in Turkey.

How to Get a Turkish IP Address With PIA?

If you’re traveling out of Turkey and need to access your Ziraat Bankasi bank account securely or want to stream Turkey-exclusive content like the TV drama Wolf on Netflix, you can connect to PIA’s Turkey server.

First, set up PIA through our exclusive deals link, install the VPN on your device, and log in. After that, follow these steps:

  1. Open the PIA app and search for “Turkey.”
pia turkey server
  1. Click the location to select the Turkey server. Then, click the connect button.
pia connected to turkey server
  1. Log in to your Ziraat Bankasi account while traveling without triggering security alerts, stream local content channels like CNN Türk from anywhere, connect to Turkish gaming peers abroad, or use the IP address how you please.
access ziraat bankasi account using pia turkey server

PIA Alternatives for Turkey

If the process of using PIA in Turkey is too lengthy, you can opt for reliable VPNs that are easily accessible in Turkey. Here are two worthy recommendations:

PrivateVPN

stream netflix using privatevpn turkey server

PrivateVPN might have a smaller server library than the other VPNs, but it offers a Turkey server and remains unblocked by the government. 

I even used its Turkish server to watch the Turkey-exclusive comedy Buddies From the Neighborhood on Netflix.

If you’re looking for extra security while accessing restricted social media platforms, you can also leverage PrivateVPN’s public dynamic dedicated IPs.

Get PrivateVPN cheaper in Turkey using these one-time discounts and enjoy it risk-free for 30 days!

NordVPN

nordvpn connected to turkey server

If you’re looking for a PIA alternative in Turkey with a bigger server library like PIA and incredible speeds, NordVPN is worth a try.

NordVPN faces no access issues in Turkey, has a Turkish server, and is easily accessible from public WiFi spots like Ofis (Istanbul), Arabica Coffee (Ankara), or anywhere else in Turkey.

NordVPN’s Double VPN is also great for extra security, routing traffic through two servers instead of one. So, even if the Turkish BTK noted your first IP address, it won’t see the second server (exit server) you’re finally connected to.

Get started by grabbing one of NordVPN’s awesome deals.

Get Started With PIA in Turkey

PIA is an impressive VPN to check your social feeds on Facebook and Instagram while vacationing in Istanbul. If you’re Turkey-based or traveling out of the country, you can use PIA’s Turkey server to access your Ziraat Bankasi account without raising any red flags.

However, PIA is actively blocked by the government – which is just a testament to how good the VPN is. Luckily, you can still access the service by following the dedicated guides above.

Check out PIA’s amazing deals to get started.

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