How to use a Smart TV with a VPN - 4 Easy Steps Explained (2024)

At a Glance

Most modern smart TVs – such as those powered by the Android TV and Amazon Fire TV operating systems – come with a large number of apps pre-installed on them. Plus, you can usually add apps by visiting the Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore.

Sadly, some of the apps you’d like to install and some of the content you’d like to access are many times geo-restricted to designated regions of the globe.

Will a VPN Work With My Smart TV?

When you own a smart TV that has a variety of VPN apps available, gaining access to geo-blocked apps and content is simply a matter of a visit to your TV’s app store to install one for your needs. You can easily install a VPN app on Firestick with NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish using this method.

Unfortunately, not all smart TVs allow unfettered installation of apps, or may not be powered by operating systems that VPN apps are available for.

Luckily, there are other ways to protect and enhance your smart TV viewing experience with a VPN.

Installing a VPN on Most Popular Smart TVs

Many popular smart TVs tend to run either the Android TV or Amazon Fire TV operating systems. On both types of sets, you can install a VPN much like any other app by visiting the app store.

Here’s how to install a VPN for an Android or Amazon Fire smart TV:

1. Sign up for a reliable VPN that offers apps for your smart TV platform. (Android and Amazon Fire users can take advantage of app offerings from my top three providers, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN.)
2. Search for and install your provider’s VPN app from the correct app store.
3. Run the VPN app and log in with your user information.
4. Select and connect to a VPN server located inside of the country where your desired geo-blocked content is located.
5. Open the app that is required to access the geo-blocked content, log into your account with the content provider, and enjoy the show.

Setting Up a VPN on a Smart TV Without an App

If you have an older smart TV or a set from non-Android or -Amazon Fire brands like LG, Vizio, and other cheaper brands, there are still ways you can use a VPN with the TV.

No matter your brand of smart TV (or gaming console, or streaming box like Apple TV or Roku), you can use one of the following three methods to use a VPN with your set.

Method 1 – Share a VPN Connection Via Ethernet

While this method may not be the most practical move in many cases, it is the easiest, most direct, and arguably best-performing way to share your Mac or Windows PC’s internet connection with your smart TV.

You just need to connect one device to the other via an Ethernet cable.

VPN Via Ethernet: Windows 10

1. Right-click on the network icon you’ll see in the bottom-right of your Windows desktop and left-click on “Open Network & Internet settings.”
2. In the window that opens, find the “Advanced network settings” section, then left-click on “Change adapter options.”
3. You’ll see a window appear that provides a list of all of your network connections. First, find one that mentions your VPN and the word “TAP.” For instance, if you use NordVPN, you’ll be looking for the “NordVPN TAP adapter.” Look for an icon with your VPN provider’s name on it.
4. Right-click the connection icon and then left-click on “Properties.”
5. On the Properties dialog, left-click the “Sharing” tab and check the “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection” box.
6. Select “Ethernet” from the dropdown list and then left-click the “OK” button.
7. Connect to your VPN server of choice in your VPN app.
8. Connect your two devices with an Ethernet cable. Your secondary device should now be connected to the VPN.

VPN Via Ethernet: macOS

IMPORTANT: If you plan to share your Mac’s VPN connection with other devices connected to your Macbook’s network, you’ll need to use a VPN that offers support for the L2TP and/or IPSec protocols. Unfortunately, several popular VPNs have stopped supporting these protocols in recent years, including NordVPN and Surfshark, but not all.

1. Left-click the Apple icon in the upper-left-hand corner of your macOS Desktop.
2. Left-click the “System Preferences…” you’ll see in the dropdown menu that appears.
3. Now, left-click the “Sharing” icon in the dialog box that appears.
4. Check the box labeled “Internet Sharing” in the list on the left.
5. Depending on whether your VPN is connected to the internet via Ethernet, choose “Ethernet” in the “Share your connection” from the dropdown menu. Otherwise, choose “Wi-Fi”.
6. In the “To computers using:” box, check “Ethernet.”
7. Close this menu and connect to your VPN.
8. Connect your devices using an Ethernet cable. The second device will now be connected to the VPN.

Method 2 – Share a VPN Connection Wirelessly

Sharing your VPN connection wirelessly can be more convenient than sharing it via Ethernet.

However, you should be aware that your connection speeds will likely slow down when sharing wirelessly. That said, your speeds should be sufficient for your favorite online activities.

VPN Via WiFi: Windows 10

1. Right-click on the network icon you’ll see in the bottom-right of your Windows desktop and left-click on “Open Network & Internet settings.”
2. In the window that opens, find the “Mobile hotspot” section and left-click on it.
3. In the “Share my Internet connection over” section, toggle the Mobile hotspot button to “On” and left-click the “Wi-Fi” radio button.
4. If you’d like, you can click the “Edit” button and change the SSID (Network name), password or Network band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
5. Left-click on “Change adapter options.”
6. You’ll see a window appear that provides a list of all of your network connections. First, find one that mentions your VPN and the word “TAP.” Right-click the icon.
7. On the Properties dialog, left-click the “Sharing” tab and check the “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection” box.
8. In the dropdown menu, left-click the name of the network you created in step 3 and left-click “OK.”
9. Connect to the VPN, and on your smart TV or other streaming device, connect to the new WiFi network you created. The streaming device should now be connected to the VPN.

VPN Via WiFi: macOS

IMPORTANT: If you plan to share your Mac’s VPN-protected WiFi connection with other devices connected to your Macbook’s WiFi network, you’ll need to use a VPN that offers support for the L2TP and/or IPSec protocols. Unfortunately, several popular VPNs have stopped supporting these protocols in recent years, including NordVPN and Surfshark, but not all.

1. Left-click the Apple icon in the upper-left-hand corner of your macOS Desktop.
2. Left-click the “System Preferences…” you’ll see in the dropdown menu that appears.
3. Now, left-click the “Sharing” icon in the dialog box that appears.
4. Check the box labeled “Internet Sharing” in the list on the left.
5. Choose “Wi-Fi” from the box labeled “To Computers Using.”
6. In the “To computers using:” box, check “Wi-Fi.”
7. Close this menu and connect to your VPN.
8. On the streaming device, connect to the WiFi hotspot you just created. That device will now be connected to the VPN.

Method 3 – Install a VPN on Your Home Router

You can protect all of your network-connected devices by installing a VPN on your router.

While this is a bit complicated, it does have the advantage of a device being automatically connected through the VPN as soon as it connects to the WiFi signal or to one of the router’s extra Ethernet ports.

Configuring a router for use with a VPN can be radically different for each make and model router. So, before you install a VPN on your router, you’ll want to make a note of the router make and model number and check on your VPN provider’s website for more information about setting the router up with the provider.

Some routers merely require a few settings changes, while others can require a firmware update or the installation of an applet on the router. As mentioned above, VPN providers that offer router compatibility will provide walkthroughs for installing their service on compatible routers. (ExpressVPN even offers custom firmware for certain router makes and models.)

The less-than-tech-savvy among us can also opt for buying a pre-configured router that is set up and ready to connect to your VPN of choice right out of the box. I recommend Flashrouters, as they sell routers that are set up to work with most any major VPN provider.

One last option that might prove attractive to some smart TV users is the Vilfo VPN Router. The Vilfo, while more expensive than most normal VPN routers, offers beefed-up specs that you don’t normally see in a router, providing much more power, better performance, and many more VPN options than other routers.

The Vilfo even allows users to install more than one VPN provider on the router, providing simultaneous connections to multiple VPNs. Read my in-depth review of the Vilfo VPN Router.

Watch Out For These Smart TV VPN “Gotchas!”

While I believe I’ve covered all of the “dos” when it comes to setting up a smart TV to use a VPN service, there are also a few “don’ts” I should warn you about.

1. Don’t Try to Side-Load Android Apps on a Non-Android Smart TV

If you’re a regular visitor to this site, you’ve probably seen me discuss side-loading apps onto Amazon Fire TVs as a way to install VPN support on your Amazon Fire device when it’s not available directly from Amazon’s Appstore. Many VPN providers even offer walkthroughs on how to do this.

This works in most cases thanks to the fact that the Amazon Fire operating system is at its heart based on Amazon. However, many smart TVs, including those offered by Samsung, LG, Vizio and others, are not powered by a version of Android and cannot run Android apps.

Some smart TVs allow manual installation of apps. Do not attempt to sideload Android apps onto these sets.

At best, you needlessly take up unused space in your smart TV’s storage. At worst, an unsupported app could “brick” your Smart TV, rendering it inoperable.

2. Don’t Sideload VPN Apps on Your Android Device, Always Use the Google Play Store

While it’s true that you can download and install apps from sources other than the Google Play Store, doing so is not a good idea. Sideloading any apps on your Android device leaves you open to installing viruses or malware on your device, meaning the bad guys could be monitoring your device usage, logging your text entry, including login information such as passwords, as well as banking and credit card information.

3. Don’t Rely on Smart DNS Services for Your Access to Geo-Blocked Content

Some VPN providers – including my top providers, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN – offer “Smart DNS” services that allow you to evade geo-blockades by changing your connected device’s or router’s DNS settings.

While this works well, I strongly recommend not relying on this method of accessing streaming content, if at all possible.

First of all, Smart DNS services do not offer the same encrypted connection protection that is offered by the same provider’s VPN offering.

A major drawback of this is that your ISP can still monitor your online activities if you’re using Smart DNS. That means they could, if they so wish, throttle or block your internet connection simply because they don’t approve of your online antics.

Smart DNS services are usually a bit more complicated to set up and generally restrict your geo-blocked content access to a few countries. VPNs allow you to connect with numerous countries, greatly increasing your access to geo-blocked content.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help If You Have Issues Getting Things to Work

Sure, I get it. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

But eventually, everyone needs some occasional help. This is especially true with apps and services for your computers and other devices, including VPN services.

If you have issues with your VPN service, don’t be afraid to reach out to your VPN provider’s customer support team. Most major VPNs offer 24/7 support, including live chat, email support, and a searchable knowledge base.

Setting up a VPN for Smart TV FAQs

Smart TV VPN FAQs

In Closing

As you can see, it’s easy to set up a VPN for use with your smart TV. Okay, in some instances it takes a bit more time and knowledge than others, but I have faith that you can pull it off. By using a quality VPN provider, the sky’s the limit when it comes to geo-blocked content.