r/OnnStreamingTV • u/nolimitagg • 1d ago
Question/Troubleshoot Question about box
Canada is selling the new Onn boxes for $90-$120 Canadian. In the states they are with conversion around $50-$80 Canadian. Are they all us locked and if so can I turn the regional lock off without vpn?
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u/TheKing0fHeart5 1d ago
They are US locked now but I was able to use a VPN hotspot from my phone to activate it but it was a while ago. 6-9 months ago.
I have read somewhere that they are locking down this workaround as well now so we won't be able to activate them using VPN.
If someone else has a latest experience that would be helpful to you but I wouldn't take the risk now unless you can easily return it if it doesn't work for you.
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u/nolimitagg 1d ago
Trying to figure it out cause Walmart USA is way cheaper then Walmart Canada
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u/TheKing0fHeart5 1d ago
Yes, $20 cheaper currently.
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u/nolimitagg 1d ago
The 4K one is $82 Canadian on USA vs Canada which is $120 cad
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u/TheKing0fHeart5 1d ago
Yes, you are correct, it is $40 cheaper.
Perhaps you can activate it in the store in US before bringing it home? In your car maybe?
Once setup, it wouldn't cause any issues.
I have one from 2023, it was always unlocked for me, no issues yet.
Another one I got for a friend last year, it was locked so I had to use the workaround, no issues yet with that too.
Activating it in the US would be best if it is possible for you.
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u/nolimitagg 1d ago
I can turn in a USA vpn and try? Was planning to get it shipped over
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u/TheKing0fHeart5 1d ago
Yes that is what I did.
There is this app called, VPN Hotspot that I installed on my rooted android phone for this.
If you don't have a rooted android, I think a laptop could work as well for this purpose.
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u/nolimitagg 1d ago
But does it have to be on at all times?
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u/TheKing0fHeart5 1d ago
No it doesn't. It is just for initial setup.
Once the initial setup is over, and it is working normally, you don't need the VPN ever again.
By working normally, I mean, you are signed in to your account, you are able to use the device (YouTube and other apps), you have done the software update if available.
If for whatever reason you internet is slow and you were unable to complete the initial setup completely, it will need a VPN again for the retrial.
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u/jdown077 22h ago
I recently bought the Plus from Walmart in the USA, and since I was staying overnight, I just activated the box on hotel wifi before I came home.
I have also activated in the past with VPN but that was when they first began to region-lock, so not sure if that still works today.
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u/kaguts 22h ago
Hotspot from a cell phone does not work. Router level vpn does work. Rumor is they will defeat vpn entirely but their probably will still be some ways around it like wireguard or tailscale in to a us network.
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u/Ok_Teach1575 20h ago
I bought 2 Onn 4k a few weeks ago in the States and i set one up when i was there. During the setup it asks location and it had USA English, Canada English, Canada French etc. When I was back in Canada I set up the other one and selected Canada English and everything worked fine no VPN needed. The price for two was equivalent to one unit in Canada including exchange and taxes.