Is iQIYI International free?

iQIYI International has a free tier with ads and a VIP tier for ad-free viewing and access to premium dramas. The free tier is available in most supported regions without any payment information. The VIP subscription accepts international credit cards and PayPal, so it's usable from outside Asia without needing a Chinese payment method.

Does iQIYI work on mobile with a VPN?

Yes. Install your VPN app on your phone, connect to the target server, then open the iQIYI International app. The VPN must be running at the system level; a browser-based extension won't cover the iQIYI app's traffic.

Does iQIYI work on Fire TV or Apple TV?

The iQIYI app is available on Fire TV Stick and Android TV devices. Because these devices can't run a VPN app directly, you need to configure your VPN at the router level to cover them. Apple TV users can use the VPN app on tvOS if their provider supports it; otherwise, router-level configuration applies here too.

Why can some iQIYI content only be watched in China?

Most Chinese drama and variety show rights are licensed only for the Chinese market, regardless of whether iQIYI has rights internationally. Content that appears on iQIYI International has been separately licensed for international distribution. The two catalogues overlap but aren't identical.

Can I create an iQIYI account from outside China?

For iQIYI International, yes: you can sign up with an email address from any country. For the main iQIYI China platform, account creation is typically tied to a Chinese phone number, which creates a barrier for international users even with a Chinese VPN server.

Can I use the iQIYI app in China?

The domestic iQIYI app (iq.com) works inside China without a VPN since it's a Chinese service. If you're travelling to China and want to access iQIYI International or other foreign streaming services, you'll need a VPN with flexible protocol options. Standard VPN connections are frequently blocked by Chinese networks, so switching to Lightway in ExpressVPN or OpenVPN TCP on port 443 in NordVPN is required to get a VPN working at all inside China.

iQIYI VPN Not Working? Here's the Fix

If you're in the UK or most other countries outside China, you can watch iQIYI without a VPN. The international version of the platform (intl.iq.com) is officially available worldwide, with English subtitles and a free ad-supported tier. A VPN is only needed if you want the China-only version, or if a specific title you're looking for is geo-blocked in your country.

Which version of iQIYI do you need?

iQIYI runs two completely separate platforms. Most people outside China want iQIYI International (intl.iq.com): it's designed for international audiences, carries a large selection of Chinese and Asian dramas with English subtitles, and is free to access with ads. No VPN needed.

iQIYI China (iq.com) is a different service with a much larger catalogue, but it's restricted to mainland Chinese IP addresses. If you want specific shows only available on the China version, that's where a VPN comes in, though it's a more involved process.

Some iQIYI original dramas are also licensed to other platforms available outside China, including Amazon Prime Video in the UK, so it's worth checking there first if you're looking for a specific title.

Accessing iQIYI China from outside China

To watch the main iQIYI China platform (iq.com) from outside China, you need a VPN that offers a China virtual server: a server physically located elsewhere that gives you a mainland Chinese IP address. This is significantly harder than most VPN setups. Most mainstream providers, including NordVPN and ExpressVPN, do not currently offer China servers.

PureVPN is one provider that does currently offer China servers. Before subscribing to any VPN specifically for this purpose, verify that China still appears in their current server list, as availability can change. Even with a Chinese IP, some content on iQIYI China requires a China-registered account and a Chinese payment method for premium tiers, so a VPN alone may not unlock everything.

Use a Singapore or Hong Kong server for iQIYI International

iQIYI International is available in most regions, but it's blocked in some. If you're in a country where intl.iq.com doesn't load, connect your VPN to a server in Singapore, Hong Kong, or Malaysia. These are iQIYI International's primary markets and the platform works well from those locations. NordVPN and ExpressVPN both have Singapore and Hong Kong servers that work reliably for iQIYI International.

One thing worth knowing: Hong Kong works for iQIYI International, but it will not work for iQIYI China. Despite being close geographically, iQIYI China treats Hong Kong as a separate region and requires a mainland Chinese IP. If you need the China version, you need a China virtual server specifically.

iQIYI content restriction error screen — A Hong Kong server works for iQIYI International, but iq.com is China-only and needs a mainland Chinese server.

Switch server and clear cookies if still blocked

If you get an access error after connecting, switch to a different server in the same target country and try again. As with other streaming services, iQIYI blocks known VPN IP addresses. A fresh server that isn't on the blocked server list will usually get through. See our guide on switching VPN servers for detailed steps.

Clear your browser cookies and open a private window after connecting your VPN if you've accessed iQIYI before without one: cached location data from the previous session can cause blocks even with a valid server. See our guide on clearing cache and cookies.

If switching servers doesn't help, run a DNS leak test at ipleak.net with your VPN connected. If your home internet provider appears in the results, your real location is leaking. Follow our guide to fixing a DNS leak.

Change your VPN protocol

If a server connection to iQIYI is failing or dropping, changing your VPN protocol often resolves it. In NordVPN, go to Settings Connection VPN Protocol and try switching between WireGuard and OpenVPN. OpenVPN TCP is often more reliable on networks with strict filtering. Our guide on changing your VPN protocol covers all the major apps.

What's on iQIYI International?

iQIYI International carries Chinese and Korean dramas, variety shows, films, and anime, all with English subtitles (and other languages). The catalogue is a curated selection rather than the full China library: content is picked for international audiences and separately licensed for distribution outside mainland China. Popular genres include romance dramas, historical epics, and idol variety shows.

If you're looking for a specific Chinese title, search iQIYI International first. If it isn't there, it may only be available on iQIYI China, which requires a Chinese server and, for premium content, a China-registered account.

If your VPN won't connect at all

If your VPN isn't connecting before you've even tried iQIYI, the issue is with the VPN itself rather than the service. Try these steps:

Check your VPN app shows a connected status, not just that the app is open
Disconnect, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect to the same server
Try a different server in the same country
Switch your VPN protocol to WireGuard or OpenVPN in the protocol settings
Restart the VPN app completely and reconnect