Contents
- Why should you use a VPN on a TV?
- How to use a VPN with a smart TV
- How to install a VPN on most smart TVs
- How to set up a VPN on non-Android smart TVs
- How to use a VPN with non-smart TVs
- FAQ: VPN for smart TV
- Can you use a VPN for streaming movies and other content?
- Do smart TVs have region settings and restrictions applied to them?
- How do you find the best VPN for a smart TV?
Why should you use a VPN on a TV?
Your smart TV is connected to the internet, and anything with internet connectivity is vulnerable to cyberattacks. However, with a VPN on your smart TV, your data will be encrypted, shielding it from prying eyes. Using a VPN also hides your public IP address, giving you additional online privacy.
Additionally, a VPN can help protect you from bandwidth throttling. Some internet service providers (ISPs) limit your internet speeds if they notice you using large amounts of bandwidth — even if your contract allows for unlimited internet access. With a VPN encrypting your smart TV’s internet connection, you are less likely to be targeted with bandwidth throttling based on your online activity.
How to use a VPN with a smart TV
VPN apps are easy to download and use on many smart TVs. Follow the steps below to get started with your VPN connection.
- Check that your smart TV is compatible with VPN apps. Not all smart TVs support VPN apps. If you have an Android TV, you are likely to be able to use a VPN app, but even if your device isn’t compatible, you can still protect it with a VPN via your router. We’ll explain how to configure your router with a VPN connection later in this article.
- Pick your VPN provider. While you have a wide range of VPNs to choose from, we recommend picking a premium option instead of a free VPN. Premium VPNs offer better speed and security, and with providers like NordVPN you’ll also get access to a variety of useful extra features to boost online safety.
- Set up your VPN. Once you have selected a VPN provider, download its app on your smart TV and open it. The app will walk you through the setup process, which may involve picking a VPN plan if you haven’t already done so.
- Connect to your VPN. After your VPN is installed and set up, you can connect to a VPN server and encrypt your connection. With NordVPN, you can choose a specific server location or just let the app find the best server for you, based on speed and stability.
- Confirm your VPN connection. To check if your VPN is connected, check your VPN application — almost all VPN apps will tell you whether or not they are active. Alternatively, take note of your IP address before you turn on the VPN and then check the IP address after connection. If the IP address has changed, then your VPN is working.
How to install a VPN on most smart TVs
To install a VPN on a smart TV, just download a VPN application from the Play Store. Assuming that you have an Android TV, you will have a variety of VPNs to choose from because many providers (including NordVPN) offer smart TV apps.
Once you’ve selected your VPN provider of choice, you can turn on your smart TV, navigate to the Play Store, and download their VPN app. When you open the app, you’ll be prompted to log in and get set up.
The exact instructions for setting up a VPN on a smart TV will vary depending on the provider. If you want to use NordVPN, this guide to setting up a VPN on Android TVs can help. As soon as you’ve finished the setup process, you’ll be able to connect to a VPN server and get protected.
Of course, not everyone is using an Android TV. Does that mean you can’t use a VPN? Not at all — with a few extra steps, you can still secure your non-Android smart TV with a VPN.
How to set up a VPN on non-Android smart TVs
You can set up a VPN for Apple TV or any other non-Android smart TV (a Samsung smart TV Tizen OS or LG’s webOS, for example) with the following methods:
Method 1: Configure a VPN on your home router
To get online, your smart TV most likely uses a router. If you can’t install a VPN on your smart TV directly, you can configure your router to use a VPN so that all the traffic passing through it is encrypted. To set up a VPN on your router, follow these steps:
- On a device that is connected to the router’s network, open your browser of choice.
- Input your router’s IP address into your browser’s search bar and press the “Enter” key.
- Input your router’s login credentials (in most cases, these credentials will be a username and password that you set yourself or those which came with the router).
- Select an option called something like “Advanced settings” or “Advanced setup” and look for an option or tab where you can specify the VPN you wish to use.
If you use this method, your data will be protected as it travels between your router and the VPN server. However, it is important to note that data moving between your smart TV and your router will not be encrypted since your TV does not have a VPN app installed on it.
You can also use a VPN router — a router that comes with a VPN pre-configured — to achieve the same results.
Method 2: Share a VPN connection via Ethernet
If you have NordVPN installed on a device, you can run an Ethernet cable from that device into your smart TV, sharing the VPN. Below are the instructions for a Windows 11 user:
- Right-click the network icon and select “Open network and sharing center.”
- Click “Change adapter options.”
- Right-click the TAP-NordVPN Windows adapter and select “Properties.”
- Open the “Sharing” tab and enable “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.”
- Select the name of the network interface that you are going to share the connection with and click “OK.”
- Connect your PC to your smart TV with an Ethernet cable and turn on your VPN.
A VPN cannot be shared via your mobile hotspot, but with an Ethernet cable, you can quickly connect your smart TV to your VPN.
How to use a VPN with non-smart TVs
If you don’t have a smart TV, you can still protect your device with a VPN. To protect your TV, get a streaming adapter that you can insert into the device and install a VPN on the adapter.
Streaming adapters like Chromecast or Amazon’s Fire Stick plug in to your device and give them access to online streaming services, even if the TV itself doesn’t have smart capabilities. If you use a VPN for Chromecast or a Firestick VPN to access your favorite streaming service, you can protect your TV with the same level of security and privacy as a smart TV VPN provides.
FAQ: VPN for smart TV
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Regarding the concepts mentioned in this article, let's go through each one:
Why should you use a VPN on a TV?
Using a VPN on your smart TV can provide several benefits. Firstly, it helps protect your data by encrypting your internet connection, making it more difficult for hackers or other malicious actors to intercept your information. Additionally, a VPN can hide your public IP address, providing an extra layer of privacy. This can be particularly useful if you want to access geo-restricted content or avoid targeted advertising. Furthermore, a VPN can help protect against bandwidth throttling by your internet service provider (ISP), ensuring that your internet speeds remain consistent even if you use large amounts of bandwidth.
How to use a VPN with a smart TV
Using a VPN with a smart TV is relatively straightforward. Here are the general steps:
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Check if your smart TV is compatible with VPN apps. Not all smart TVs support VPN apps, but if you have an Android TV, it is likely that you can use a VPN app. If your device is not compatible, you can still protect it with a VPN by configuring your router with a VPN connection.
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Choose a VPN provider. It is recommended to select a premium VPN option instead of a free VPN, as premium VPNs generally offer better speed and security.
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Set up your VPN. Download the VPN app on your smart TV and follow the setup process provided by the app. This may involve selecting a VPN plan if you haven't already done so.
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Connect to your VPN. Once your VPN is installed and set up, you can connect to a VPN server and encrypt your connection. Some VPN apps allow you to choose a specific server location, while others automatically find the best server for you based on speed and stability.
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Confirm your VPN connection. Check your VPN application to see if it is connected. Most VPN apps will indicate whether they are active. Alternatively, you can check your IP address before and after connecting to the VPN. If the IP address has changed, then your VPN is working.
How to install a VPN on most smart TVs
To install a VPN on a smart TV, you can download a VPN application from the Play Store. Assuming you have an Android TV, you will have a variety of VPNs to choose from, as many providers offer smart TV apps. Once you've selected your VPN provider, turn on your smart TV, navigate to the Play Store, and download the VPN app. Follow the instructions provided by the app to complete the setup process. The exact instructions may vary depending on the VPN provider. If you are using NordVPN, you can refer to their guide for setting up a VPN on Android TVs. After the setup process is complete, you can connect to a VPN server and enjoy the protection provided by the VPN.
How to set up a VPN on non-Android smart TVs
If you have a non-Android smart TV, such as an Apple TV or a Samsung smart TV with Tizen OS, you can still set up a VPN using alternative methods. Here are two common methods:
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Configure a VPN on your home router: If your smart TV connects to the internet through a router, you can configure the router to use a VPN. This way, all the traffic passing through the router will be encrypted. The exact steps for setting up a VPN on a router may vary depending on the router model and VPN provider. Generally, you will need to access your router's settings through a web browser, input your router's IP address, log in with your credentials, and specify the VPN you wish to use. It's important to note that while data traveling between your router and the VPN server will be protected, data between your smart TV and the router will not be encrypted since the TV does not have a VPN app installed. Alternatively, you can use a VPN router, which comes pre-configured with a VPN.
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Share a VPN connection via Ethernet: If you have a device with a VPN installed, such as a computer, you can share the VPN connection with your smart TV using an Ethernet cable. The specific steps may vary depending on the operating system of your device. For example, on Windows 11, you can right-click the network icon, open the network and sharing center, change adapter options, select the TAP-NordVPN Windows adapter, open the sharing tab, enable "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection," select the network interface to share the connection with, and connect your PC to your smart TV using an Ethernet cable. This allows your smart TV to access the internet through the VPN connection on your device.
How to use a VPN with non-smart TVs
If you have a non-smart TV, you can still protect your device with a VPN by using a streaming adapter. Streaming adapters like Chromecast or Amazon's Fire Stick can be connected to your TV and provide access to online streaming services, even if the TV itself doesn't have smart capabilities. By installing a VPN on the streaming adapter, you can protect your TV with the same level of security and privacy as a smart TV with a built-in VPN app. Simply insert the streaming adapter into your TV, install the VPN on the adapter, and follow the instructions provided by the VPN provider to set it up. This allows you to encrypt your internet connection and access geo-restricted content on your non-smart TV.
FAQ: VPN for smart TV
- Can you use a VPN for streaming movies and other content? Yes, using a VPN for streaming movies and other content is a common use case. A VPN can help you bypass geographic restrictions and access content that may be blocked in your region. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, you can make it appear as if you are accessing the content from that country, allowing you to watch movies and other content that may not be available in your location.
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Do smart TVs have region settings and restrictions applied to them? Yes, smart TVs can have region settings and restrictions applied to them. These settings and restrictions are often based on the IP address of the smart TV and can limit access to certain content or services based on the geographic location of the TV. By using a VPN, you can change your IP address and bypass these region settings and restrictions, allowing you to access content that may be blocked in your region.
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How do you find the best VPN for a smart TV? When looking for a VPN for your smart TV, it is important to consider factors such as speed, security, server locations, and compatibility with your TV. Premium VPN providers often offer better performance and more features compared to free VPNs. It is also recommended to choose a VPN provider that has a wide range of server locations, as this can give you more options for bypassing geographic restrictions. Additionally, check if the VPN provider offers dedicated apps for your specific smart TV platform or if it supports router configurations. Reading reviews and comparing different VPN providers can help you find the best option for your needs.
I hope this information helps you understand how to use a VPN with a TV and the different methods available for different types of TVs. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
