How to watch Youku outside China
In short: open the mainland version of Youku (优酷) abroad and many dramas and variety shows come up region-locked, because their rights only cover mainland China. Install Homeway, switch on the moon gate, reopen Youku and those shows play normally. On a TV, use Youku's TV app, CIBN Kumiao (CIBN 酷喵); on a computer, just open the Youku website in your browser.
What happens when you open Youku abroad
If you open the mainland version of Youku in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe or elsewhere, 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: Youku decides where you are from which country the playback requests come from. Switching phones, reinstalling the app or buying a membership won't fix it. For causes and troubleshooting, see "Only available in mainland China" errors.
Youku International vs. the mainland version
Youku has an international version for viewers outside China, which works abroad without Homeway. Its catalogue is licensed separately for overseas markets, though, so it differs from the mainland version: many dramas and variety shows on mainland Youku are missing from the international version or arrive on a different schedule.
Homeway supports the mainland version of Youku: the Youku phone app, CIBN Kumiao on the TV and the Youku website on a computer. With Homeway on, you see the same catalogue as in China, along with your existing account, membership and watch history.
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 Youku (swipe it away from recent apps), reopen it and play the show that was region-locked.
Keep getting the Youku app from your usual app store. If you already have the mainland version installed, there's no need to reinstall it.
On your TV: use CIBN Kumiao
Youku's TV app is called CIBN Kumiao (CIBN 酷喵). It's built for a remote control, with dramas, variety shows and films right on the home screen. Don't install the phone version of Youku on a TV: the remote often won't work and the layout is designed for a portrait screen.
- 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 CIBN Kumiao: TV apps like this usually aren't on Google Play outside China, so download the CIBN Kumiao APK from Youku'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 CIBN Kumiao and sign in to your Youku 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 Youku website in your browser. If the page is already open, just refresh it.
What about a Youku membership?
Homeway only lifts the region restriction; it doesn't include a Youku membership. Free content plays as soon as Homeway is on. For members-only shows, higher picture quality and other perks, sign in to your own membership account in Youku.
- A Youku 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 CIBN Kumiao on your TV, you may need a higher membership tier, so check which devices are included on Youku's membership page before you subscribe.
Will it buffer?
Homeway only relays the few requests Youku 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
Youku 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 Youku and reopen it, and the show will play. Members-only content still needs your own membership account.
I already use Youku International. Do I need Homeway?
The international version works abroad on its own, so you don't need Homeway for it. But its catalogue differs from the mainland version, and many shows are only on mainland Youku. To watch those, use the mainland version with Homeway.
Where do I get CIBN Kumiao for my TV?
Download the CIBN Kumiao TV app (APK) from Youku'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 Youku still says the show isn't available in my region.
Check that the moon gate is glowing and that no other VPN-type app is running on your phone. Then fully close Youku 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, Mango TV, 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).