How to Use Pandora Radio From Outside The USA

I live in the UK, and was really disappointed a few years ago when the record companies shut Pandora’s doors to the rest of the world.

However there is a way of using Pandora legally, from outside America. It does involve a few steps but I’d like to share this in case anyone would like to know how to do this.

It involves using a proxy server. For those who don’t know what this means, put simply it means that instead of you connecting to Pandora.com though your own PC, you connect to another computer inside America, which in turn connects to Pandora.com. This other computer is what we refer to as the “proxy server”

This “tricks” the Pandora software into thinking you are connecting from the US. Seemples!

There are many different ways to set up a proxy server, and to be honest there are probably much better ways of doing this than I am about to show you, however this is the way I do it, it’s convenient and easy to set up.

The proxy software I use is called Hotspot Shield. A few points about this software, it is ad supported. As far as I can see there are no spyware or trojans attached to it however I am no expert. The ads are only visible whilst you are using the software, which is good. And since the only thing I use this for is Pandora, I’m not too bothered about the ads. Also, when you disconnect it always asks if you want to buy the premium version.

How to set this up:

1. Download Hotspot Shield
2. Install Hotspot Shield 
3. Go to your Start menu > Hotspot Shield > Hotspot Shield Launch. This will open up your browser and it will tell you it is assigning you an IP Address. Once the Button turns to green this means you are connected to your proxy server. 
4. Go to Pandora.com
5. Enjoy the music!

Once you are finished, remember to disconnect from Hotspot shield otherwise you will continue getting an annoying banner ad along the top of your browser. As I said, this is purely how I do this. I will no doubt receive many comments from tech geeks telling me I’m an idiot for doing it this way. But I’m happy with it.Any questions let me know.