Can I install a VPN on a Smart TV?

Yes, it’s possible. While some TVs allow you to install a VPN directly, you'll find some incompatible ones. You could still ensure secure connections by installing the VPN on your router and connecting your Smart TV to it. A router unlocks greater streaming possibilities as you can use it on all devices without requiring multiple configurations.

Why should I install a VPN on my Smart TV?

Having a VPN on your Smart TV lets, you enjoy better privacy and security. It helps to prevent hacking and keeps your online activity private. Besides, you cannot access restricted content on your TV unless you have a good VPN to unblock it.

Which is the best VPN to install on a Smart TV?

ExpressVPN emerges as the winner regarding encryption, speed, and privacy from our tests. It's also perfect for unblocking geo-restricted content. I also found NordVPN to have excellent security and privacy features. While SurfShark is suitable if you have a small budget and want premium services.

What are some of the apps I can unblock with a VPN?

You can unblock lots of geo-restricted services as long as you use a competent VPN, including Netflix, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Peacock TV, Hulu, Oxygen TV, and many more.

How to Install VPN on a Smart TV (Easy Guide With Screenshots)

Sneak peek at installing VPNs on Smart TV

Smart TVs come up with tremendous pre-installed apps that might be of your interest. However, you can’t use most of them depending on your country’s restrictions. The best way is to install a VPN that can hide your actual location. This way, you can easily access the geo-restricted content on your Smart TV. Thankfully, the top VPN services of today offer dedicated VPN clients for Smart TV systems, allowing users to enjoy worry-free, anonymous, secure, and non-stop streaming of desired content.

Do you have a smart TV and can’t access some apps? You can resolve the problem with a simple workaround – install a VPN on a Smart TV.

Most Smart TVs come with wonderful pre-installed apps. But because of regional restrictions, you might not use some of them on your Smart TV. Besides, you might find that many apps you want to install are unavailable in your country.

An ultimate solution to this situation is a VPN, which changes your IP address to a location where those apps are available. With a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you can stream geo-restricted content from different apps. It’s an inclusive security solution that helps you evade hackers and stay anonymous while streaming geo-blocked content.

While that sounds easy, the real challenge here is that Smart TVs are different from regular devices. While some will allow easy installation of new apps, some come with pre-installed software and will cause trouble when adding anything new.

Don’t worry if you face a similar situation. Below I share a step-by-step guide for setting up a VPN on Smart TV to access the apps you want.

How to install a VPN on your Smart TV quickly

You can easily set up a VPN on your smart TV if it can access Google Play Store or if you have an Android TV box. Follow these steps to configure a VPN for your Smart TV:

Subscribe to a quality VPN provider. My number one recommendation here is ExpressVPN, as it offers excellent streaming speeds, top-notch security, and an unmatched ability to unblock geo-restricted content. Surfshark is the affordable alternative that will also get the job done.
Download and install the VPN Android client from the service provider’s website.
Log in to the app with your credentials.
Run your VPN app and connect to a fast-speed server (nearby servers will give you the best speeds).
Open the geo-locked app you wish to use on your smart TV and enjoy watching your videos!

That’s how to use VPN on TV if you have Google Play. Once done, you should easily access content blocked in your region.

How to connect your SmartTV to a VPN through a laptop or PC

To connect to the best VPN for Smart TV, you need a computer running Mac or Windows. By running the VPN on a PC, your Smart TV can enjoy the same encryption and security. This is an option if you cannot directly download the VPN app to your Smart TV, especially for TVs that are not compatible with Android.

Connecting a Smart TV to a VPN on a Windows PC

Step #1. On your computer, connect to a VPN service. Our list of the best Smart TV VPNs includes ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN. My favorite is ExpressVPN for impenetrable encryption, lightning-fast streaming speeds, and an excellent ability to bypass geo-blocked content.

Step #2. Use a cable to connect your PC to the Smart TV.

Step #3. Navigate to the control panel and go to Network and Internet.

Connecting a Smart TV with a VPN on Windows PC screenshot 1

Step #4. Navigate to the Network and Sharing Center.

Connecting a Smart TV with a VPN on Windows PC screenshot 2

Step #5. Go to Change adapter settings.

Connecting a Smart TV with a VPN on Windows PC screenshot 3