How to watch Mango TV outside China
In short: Mango TV (芒果TV) is Hunan Broadcasting's video platform, best known for its variety shows. Open the mainland version abroad and many variety shows and dramas come up region-locked. MangoTV International works abroad on its own, but its catalogue differs from the mainland version. For the full mainland catalogue, install Homeway, switch on the moon gate and reopen Mango TV. On a TV, use Mango TV for TV (芒果TV 电视版); on a computer, open the Mango TV website in your browser.
What happens when you open Mango TV abroad
If you open the mainland version of Mango TV outside China, you'll typically see:
- messages such as "this video is only available in mainland China", "not available in your current region", or "unavailable in your region at the request of the rights holder";
- the cover and synopsis show up, but pressing play only gives you a trailer or a clip;
- fewer shows on the home page and in search results than you'd see in China.
None of this has to do with your account or membership: Mango TV decides where you are from which country the playback requests come from, so members abroad are blocked too. For causes and troubleshooting, see "Only available in mainland China" errors.
MangoTV International vs. the mainland version
Mango TV has an international version for viewers outside China, MangoTV International, which you can download and watch abroad without Homeway. Its catalogue is licensed separately for overseas markets, though, so it differs from the mainland version: some shows aren't there, and others arrive on a different schedule. Memberships for the two versions are generally separate as well.
Homeway supports the mainland version of Mango TV: the Mango TV phone app, Mango TV for TV and the Mango TV website on a computer. With Homeway on, you see the same catalogue as in China, along with your existing account, membership and watch history.
You can keep both versions on your phone: watch what's on the international version there, and switch on Homeway to watch everything else in the mainland version.
On your phone
- Install Homeway: on Android, follow the Android guide; on iPhone or iPad, download it from the App Store.
- Sign in with an email code and tap the moon gate on the home screen. When it glows, Homeway is on.
- Fully close Mango TV (swipe it away from recent apps), reopen it and play the show that was region-locked.
Make sure you're opening the mainland version of Mango TV. If you only have the international version, you'll need to install the mainland one as well.
On your TV: use Mango TV for TV
On a TV, install Mango TV for TV (芒果TV 电视版) rather than the phone app. The phone app often won't respond to the remote and uses a portrait layout; the TV app is built for a remote control, with variety shows and dramas easy to browse.
- Check your TV's system: the Homeway TV app runs on Android TV / Google TV TVs and boxes, such as Xiaomi, Sony, TCL and Chromecast with Google TV. Samsung and LG's own systems can't install it, but adding an Android TV box works. See Samsung and LG TVs.
- Install the Homeway TV app: follow the TV and TV box guide, scan the QR code with your phone to sign in, and switch on the moon gate.
- Install Mango TV for TV: mainland TV apps usually aren't on Google Play outside China, so download the TV app (APK) from Mango TV's official website and install it the same way as the Homeway TV app. Stick to the official site and avoid unknown download sites.
- Start watching: open Homeway first to check the moon gate is on, then open Mango TV for TV and sign in to your Mango TV account.
On a computer
- On Windows, install the Windows app. On a Mac, or if you'd rather not install software, use the browser extension for Chrome, Edge or Firefox.
- Switch on the moon gate and open the Mango TV website in your browser. If the page is already open, just refresh it.
What about a Mango TV membership?
Homeway only lifts the region restriction; it doesn't include a Mango TV membership. Free content plays as soon as Homeway is on. For members-only shows, early access, higher picture quality and other perks, sign in to your own membership account in the mainland version of Mango TV.
- A Mango TV account registered in China signs in abroad exactly as it does at home.
- A phone membership doesn't always cover TVs. To watch members-only content in Mango TV for TV, you may need a higher membership tier, so check which devices are included on Mango TV's membership page before you subscribe.
- International and mainland memberships generally aren't interchangeable, so decide which version you'll mainly use before paying.
Will it buffer?
Homeway only relays the few requests Mango TV uses to check your region, such as playback authorisation and fetching the stream address. The video itself still streams from the server nearest to you rather than detouring through China, so picture quality and smoothness are the same as usual. As a guide, 1080p needs a steady 5 Mbps or more and 4K needs 15–25 Mbps. If it still stutters, work through how to fix buffering.
FAQ
Mango TV says a show is only available in mainland China. Will a VIP membership fix it?
No. A membership decides which shows you can watch; the region lock is about where you are, so members abroad are blocked too. Switch on Homeway's moon gate, fully close Mango TV and reopen it, and the show will play. Members-only shows still need your own membership account.
Does Homeway work with MangoTV International?
The international version already works abroad, so it doesn't need Homeway. Homeway supports the mainland version of Mango TV, for the shows the international version doesn't carry. You can have both installed.
Where do I get Mango TV for TV?
Download the TV app (APK) from Mango TV's official website, then install it on your Android TV / Google TV TV or box. The first time, you'll need to allow apps from unknown sources, just as when installing the Homeway TV app. See the TV installation guide.
Homeway is on, but Mango TV still says the show isn't available in my region.
Check that the moon gate is glowing, that you've opened the mainland version rather than the international one, and that no other VPN-type app is running on your phone. Then fully close Mango TV and reopen it, or refresh the page on a computer. If it still doesn't play, email support@homeway.tv with your device model and the name of the show.
Will other apps be affected while Homeway is on?
No. Homeway only works on supported Chinese video apps. Local streaming sites, browsing and games connect directly as usual, with nothing slowing down and no switching on and off.
Other platforms: Tencent Video, iQIYI, Youku, Bilibili, Migu Video and QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music. See the full list of supported apps, and the country guides for time zones and devices.
Try Homeway
New users get a 7-day free trial on every device, no card required. Afterwards one phone stays free; TVs and computers need the Standard plan (2 devices) or the Family plan (5 devices).