The ‘i Don’t Have A Smart TV’ Way
Even if you don’t have a smart TV, you’re in luck because you can set a VPN up on it if you’re able to connect a streaming device like a Roku, or Google Chromecast to the TV. These ingenious little devices essentially turn any TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV, at a much lower cost than an actual smart TV.
Basically, you can use the methods listed above to connect a VPN to your TV — and if you go with or then you can download the VPN directly via the Play Store or the Amazon Appstore, respectively. The only difference is that you’ll use your streaming device’s interface to connect to the VPN instead of directly via your TV interface. You’ll still get all the privacy and unblocking benefits that a VPN offers if you decide to take this route, but only for content you watch through your streaming device.
Streaming devices like the ones offered by Roku and others can turn your ordinary TV into a smart TV.
How To Set It Up
Getting your VPN up and running is easy if your TV runs Android . Simply go to the app store and install your preferred VPN software. Obviously youll want to choose one that supports the streaming services youre looking to access.
Pretty much every major VPN is in the Google Play store, and many of those have a FireTV app as well.
Just install, enter your login credentials, and click connect!
Use Your VPNs Smart Dns Service
Some VPN providers throw in a Smart DNS feature with each subscription plan. This provides an easy alternative method for getting your VPN service working with your Apple TV. To use this method, you will first need to find out the required DNS address from your VPN provider. . ExpressVPN, for example, has this excellent add-on.
Written by:Ray Walsh
Digital privacy expert with 5 years experience testing and reviewing VPNs. He’s been quoted in The Express, The Times, The Washington Post, The Register, CNET & many more.
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Using A VPN On Your Smart TV Via Your Router
A VPN on your router will encrypt and protect your entire home Wi-FI network, covering all the devices that connect to it. This includes not only your smart TV, but also all your computers, mobile devices, gaming consoles , and other IoT devices. Heres how to get one going:
How To Share A VPN Connection Over Ethernet
The quickest and easiest way to share your VPN connection is to run an Ethernet cable from one device to another. This isnt the most practical method, but if you only use region-locked apps occasionally, its likely the best option. If youd prefer, you could also store a smaller device like a Raspberry Pi behind your TV, which would remove the need for long, trailing cables.
VPN over Ethernet on Windows 10
VPN over Ethernet on MacOS
Recommended Reading: How To Install VPN On Samsung Smart TV
How To Install VPN On Your Smart TV
Little by little, it seems that Smart TVs are gaining a lot of popularity. Some of the most popular Smart TV brands include Samsung, Sony, LG, Hisense, Panasonic, and Sharp. Smart TVs come with a range of streaming applications, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO go, and BBC iPlayer theyre like a one-stop-shop for entertainment! The problem is that these applications are still subject to geolocational restrictions. If you arent physically located in the countries specified by these apps, you wont be able to use them.
How to Install VPN on Your Smart TV
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To make things even more complicated, each Smart TV uses a different OS than the other. With the exception of Sony, who has moved into a standard Android OS, these operating systems are not set up to host VPN apps. Dont worry, theres a way to work around this. Read on to find out how you can enable a VPN connection or use a Smart DNS proxy to unblock the geo-restricted streaming apps.
How To Set Up A VPN On A Smart TV
Like any software or service, your first step here is to work backward from what’s available for your operating system. The most VPN-friendly smart TV OSes are Amazon Fire TV and Google’s Android TV and Google TV platforms. That said, if you use Roku, Apple TV or the built-in operating systems for Samsung, Vizio, LG or any other platform, you still have options.
Here are a few of the most practical ways you can go about hooking up a VPN to your smart TV.
Also Check: How To Cancel Expressvpn And Get Refund
Using A VPN On A Smart TV
So you figured out how to use a VPN on your computer, in order to protect yourself from intruders and annoying restrictions. Also, you’ve probably learned how to utilize it on your portable device, but now youve got yourself Smart TV. When trying to watch Netflix and Hulu you’ve realized that since youre outside the US, it doesnt work. Thats why using your VPN service for your new TV will definitely benefit you in the long run. The VPN will simply block your IP address then route you to an anonymous US VPN service just like you do with your VPN for your PC and mobile devices.
There is no way to directly setup a VPN on a Smart TV, the only solution to using a VPN on a Smart TV is to run the VPN through a DD-WRT router and then connect your TV to the router. Alternatively you can connect your Smart TV to a shared Windows VPN connection which is a much more simple process.
- Setup VPN on Windows depending on the provider you choose.
- Go to the connection menu and right click on the VPN network. Select Properties. Choose the sharing tab and check on Allow other networks users to connect through this computers Internet connection.
- Youre all set, enjoy watching movies and series on your shiny new Smart TV!
The process for Mac OSX users is very similar and just as simple.
Installing A VPN On A Virtual Router
To install a VPN on your virtual router, follow the next steps:
Also Check: Comcast Router VPN Setup
How To Install A VPN On A Samsung Smart TV
For older Android-based Samsung Smart TVs, you can simply download a VPN from the Google Play store. For TVs with Tizen OS, youll need to set up a VPN on your router, use Windows connection sharing, or enable Smart DNS. The easiest to set up is Smart DNS, but it doesnt encrypt your connection. This security limitation means your activities wont be kept private.
You can find standalone DNS proxies, but they could collect your personal data and are often blocked by streaming services. When I tested every VPNs Smart DNS feature on this list to make sure it unblocks popular streaming apps, I had no problems. Only ExpressVPN had a Smart DNS Media Streamer that is optimized specifically to work with Samsung and other brand Smart TVs.
If youre thinking of installing a router, make sure that your router firmware is compatible with VPNs by checking the user manual. If it isnt, you can usually download new custom firmware like Tomato or DD-WRT. Just keep in mind that this is for more advanced users only, as it can permanently damage your router if done incorrectly. If you want to try this method, you can refer to this detailed guide on setting up a VPN on a router. To make things easier, you can also just buy a pre-configured router through the VPNs website but take note that these can cost significantly more.
With those pros and cons in mind, here are the steps for each of the 3 ways to set up a VPN on your Samsung TV:
How To Set Up A VPN With Apple TV
There are several popular methods for using a VPN with an Apple TV device. You can use whichever method suits you best. However, some methods are easier than others. To help you out, we will explain this as we go along.
Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t let you install any VPN software directly onto your Apple TV. This rules out the easiest possible method of using a VPN with Apple TV. Luckily, at ProPrivacy we have discovered three methods that will let you get a VPN working with your Apple TV.
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What Smart TV Apps Can A VPN Help Me Securely Access
One of the most popular uses for a VPN with a smart TV is to regain access to the same services youd use back home. Here are just some of the sites that a VPN can help you securely access:
Streaming content isnt the only thing thats geo-restricted these days, and some countries restrict access to popular sites including and Google . Thankfully, a VPN can help you use any app for a smart TV that is restricted by region. For example, if YouTube is blocked where you are, accessing it through a VPN shouldnt be an issue.
One area where smart TVs lack in general is VoIP calls. Unfortunately for Skype users, the company discontinued its smart TV app a couple of years ago. Tellybean offers an alternative for some TV brands and its small company size means its probably not under the radar of blockers, so could probably even be used without a VPN.
Can I Install A VPN On My Smart TV
Let it be known that you can. The security of your Smart TV can still be monitored remotely through a virtual IP router since you do not have to install a VPN on the device directly. These steps will show you how to set up the VPN on your router and enjoy more streaming possibilities, as well as an increased degree of online privacy and security for your Smart TV.
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Samsung Smart TV VPNs: Quick Overview
The Potentially More Difficult Way
If your TV doesn’t run on the Android operating system, then one of the ways you can set up a VPN on your smart TV is by running a VPN connection through a router. But proceed with caution. Not all routers support VPN connections, so if you don’t already have one, you’ll need to purchase a compatible router — which can get pricey if you want a router that can handle the VPN connection and deliver a smooth streaming experience. Also, installing a VPN on your router won’t necessarily be plug-and-play, and you risk ruining your router or voiding its warranty if you botch the installation process.
Fortunately, the best VPN providers on the market do offer step-by-step instructions for router installations for a variety of VPN-compatible router models in their help sections and have support staff on hand to help you. So you don’t have to go it alone completely, but the process still isn’t entirely risk-free. If you don’t want to complete the install yourself, some VPNs, through a company called FlashRouters, are happy to sell you routers with VPN compatibility already preinstalled on them. This could be the way to go if you don’t want to risk installing it yourself, but keep in mind that you’ll be paying a premium of probably about $100 to $150 over and above retail for your preconfigured VPN router.
See also: The pros and cons of using a VPN on a router
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The Best Smart TV VPN 2021
If you want to watch blocked overseas content on your Smart TV, a Smart TV VPN is the only solution. Able to provide access to multiple Netflix libraries and other restricted services wherever you are in the world, the best VPN can make your subscriptions go much further.
Put simply, a VPN reroutes your connection away from your ISP’s servers and through its own. You can choose which server to use, in any country, and you’ll appear to be located wherever that chosen server is. So, if you’re in the UK but want to watch US Netflix, you can do that by selecting a US server.
However, not all Smart TVs support VPNs in the same way. Android TVs are most compatible, but Samsung devices, for example, use the proprietary Tizen OS which doesnt support VPN connections, and Smart DNS is absolutely necessary.
- Want to watch more? Check out the best streaming VPN
Set Up A VPN On Kodi Using A VPN App
Setting up a VPN application is the easiest way to use Kodi securely and anonymously. The only thing you need to do is download the VPN application. You can then connect to a VPN server and stream using Kodi. Below you can see how to do this step-by-step:
Another advantage: If you use the VPN application, all your internet traffic on this device will be secure. You can also browse the internet securely. To secure all your devices in one go, you can install a VPN on your router.
Also Check: Nordaccount Remote
Surfshark: Stream In Ultra Hd
- Trustpilot rating: 4.3
Surfshark may be a new entry in the marketplace, but one that is quickly growing and ranked number 2 in the most budget-friendly VPN services. Despite being incredibly inexpensive, the VPN in a short time has become a prominent name, just like Ivacy and ExpressVPN.
It provides amazing cross-platform functionality too. If you have a Samsung Smart TV that uses the Android OS, you can download the and enjoy remarkable protection on a bigger screen.
2-year plan $2.49/mo .
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Which Smart TV Apps Can A VPN Help Me Unblock
As long as your VPN is capable of unblocking streaming services, then the possibilities should be endless. All you need to do is connect your VPN to a region where the service you need to access is offered. For example, if you want to use Hulu on your Smart TV, connect to a US VPN server that isnt blocked, and youll gain access.
Heres a list of the most popular services that you can unblock with a VPN:
TV, Movies, and News
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