How to watch Tencent Video abroad
In short: many dramas, variety shows and films on Tencent Video are licensed for mainland China only, so when you open them abroad you hit a region restriction. Install Homeway, light the moon gate, then fully close Tencent Video and reopen it, and the show will play. It works with the Tencent Video app on your phone, Yunshiting Jiguang on your TV and the Tencent Video website on your computer.
What happens when you open Tencent Video abroad
Tencent Video still opens and lets you sign in abroad, and you can see the home page and show covers. The trouble starts when you press play. Typically:
- you’re told the video is “only available in mainland China” or “not available in your region”;
- only trailers, extras or clips play, and the full episode won’t start;
- a show turns up in search but won’t play when you open it, or doesn’t turn up at all.
It has nothing to do with membership: paid accounts are blocked abroad too. The platform decides where you are from where its playback-check requests come from. See “Only available in mainland China” errors for the details.
WeTV vs. the China version of Tencent Video
Tencent Video’s international service is called WeTV. WeTV works abroad as is and doesn’t need Homeway, but it’s a separate platform from the China version:
- Different catalogue: WeTV only carries shows licensed for overseas audiences. Many dramas, variety shows and films on the China version aren’t on WeTV, or update on a different schedule.
- Separate accounts and memberships: a China-version membership doesn’t carry over to WeTV, and vice versa.
- Interface and subtitles: WeTV is built for a multilingual audience with subtitles in several languages; the China version has a Chinese interface, exactly as you’d use it in China.
Homeway supports the China version of Tencent Video. If WeTV has what you want, just use WeTV. If it doesn’t, or you already have a China-version membership, use the China version with Homeway and you get the same catalogue as in China.
Getting started on phone, TV and computer
Phone or tablet
- Install Homeway: on Android, follow the Android guide; on iPhone or iPad, get it from the App Store.
- Sign in with an email code and light the moon gate on the home screen.
- Fully close Tencent Video (swipe it away from recent apps), reopen it and play the show that was blocked.
TV or TV box: use Yunshiting Jiguang
The TV version of Tencent Video is called Yunshiting Jiguang (云视听极光) and is designed for a remote. Don’t install the phone app on your TV: the remote often won’t work and the layout is portrait.
- Install the Homeway TV app on an Android TV / Google TV set or box; see the TV and TV box guide. Samsung and LG TVs can’t install it natively; see Samsung and LG TVs.
- Yunshiting Jiguang usually isn’t on Google Play outside China. Download the TV APK from Tencent Video’s official website and install it the same way you installed Homeway. Stick to the official site rather than third-party download sites.
- Scan the QR code on the TV with your phone to sign in to Homeway, light the moon gate, then open Yunshiting Jiguang.
Computer
- On Windows, install the Windows app; on a Mac or any other computer, use the browser extension for Chrome, Edge or Firefox.
- Light the moon gate and open the Tencent Video website in your browser. If the page was already open, just refresh it.
What about memberships?
Homeway only lifts the region restriction; it doesn’t include a Tencent Video membership. Free content plays as soon as Homeway is on. For members-only episodes, early access and higher picture quality, sign in to your own membership account in Tencent Video.
- An account registered in China signs in abroad as usual, by phone number, WeChat or QR code.
- A phone membership doesn’t always cover TVs. To watch members-only content on Yunshiting Jiguang you may need a higher tier that includes TV, so check which devices are covered before you subscribe.
Will it buffer?
Homeway only relays the playback-check and stream-address requests. The video itself still downloads from the server nearest you, instead of detouring through China the way a VPN back to China does. 1080p generally needs a steady 5 Mbps or more, and 4K needs 15–25 Mbps. If it still buffers, work through how to fix buffering.
FAQ
I have a Tencent Video VIP membership. Why am I still blocked abroad?
A membership decides which shows you can watch; the region restriction is about where you are, and the two are unrelated. Light the moon gate in Homeway, fully close Tencent Video and reopen it, and the show will play. Members-only content still needs your own membership account.
Is WeTV the same as Tencent Video?
No. WeTV is Tencent Video’s international service. It works abroad without Homeway, but its catalogue differs from the China version and accounts and memberships are separate. Homeway supports the China version of Tencent Video.
Which app should I install on my TV to watch Tencent Video?
Install the TV app Yunshiting Jiguang, downloaded as an APK from Tencent Video’s official website. Your TV needs to run Android TV / Google TV, or you can plug in an Android TV box.
Homeway is on but I still see “only available in mainland China”. What now?
Check that the moon gate is lit and that no other VPN-type app is running at the same time. Then fully close Tencent Video and reopen it, or refresh the page on a computer. If it still won’t play, email support@homeway.tv with your device model and the show’s name. More troubleshooting is in “Only available in mainland China” errors.
Will Homeway affect my other apps?
No. Homeway only works on supported Chinese video apps. Local streaming sites, browsing and games connect directly as usual, with no switching on and off.
Other platforms: iQIYI, Youku, Mango TV, Bilibili, Migu Video and QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music; the full list is on Supported apps. For your country, see the country guides.
Try Homeway
New users get a 7-day free trial on every device, no card required. After that you can keep using it free on one phone, or subscribe to Standard (2 devices) or Family (5 devices) for your TV and computer.