Install a VPN for your Smart TV. Heres how to do it!
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Click here for a summary of this article Installing a VPN on Your Smart TV Quickly and Easily
Want to use a VPN to unblock geo-blocked streaming content, such as BBC iPlayer or Champions League? Whatever the reason, the easiest way to use a VPN on Smart TV is to use your Windows PC (Windows 10 installed) as a portable hotspot for your Smart TV. Just follow the quick and easy guide below to use this method.
- Install VPN On your Windows PC. We recommend ExpressVPN, as this VPN offers fast streaming speeds and a huge server network, giving you access to a lot of streaming content.
- Type “mobile hotspot settings” in your computer’s search bar at the bottom left of the screen.
- Activate Mobile Hotspot by flipping the small switch to On (So it turns blue). Check if the correct network name is listed (change it to something recognizable if necessary) and confirm that ‘WiFi’ is selected behind ‘Share my internet connection via’. Remember the network name and password that appear on this screen.
- Connect your Smart TV to a mobile hotspot You have created. You will need the login credentials from Step 3. You are now ready to enjoy the benefits of VPN on your Smart TV!
Would you like to learn more about using a VPN on your Smart TV? Read our full article below to find out more.
Nowadays, many people use a VPN to access a much larger selection of shows and movies. After all, many streaming services, such as Netflix, impose geo-restrictions and only show certain content in certain regions. Moreover, VPNs offer a range of privacy and security benefits. One device that goes well with streaming, of course, is the Smart TV. However, setting up a VPN on your Smart TV is generally not as easy as doing it on your Windows PC, for example. But don’t worry, in this article we are going to list three ways you can easily enjoy all the benefits that a VPN has to offer on your Smart TV.
Do you already have a Smart TV and would like to know why a VPN could be useful for you? Read our article on using a VPN with Smart TV.
Noticeable: Smart TV is not the same as Android TV. On Android TV, like Sony Bravia, it is very easy to install VPN, because you can just install VPN app for Android on TV directly. If that’s what you want to do, we refer you to our article on setting up a VPN on your Android TV.
1. Connect Smart TV to Windows PC with VPN
Although this method does not technically involve setting up a VPN on your Smart TV, you are still connected to one, with all the advantages this brings. This is accomplished by installing a VPN on your Windows PC (if you haven’t already) and then connecting your Smart TV to your PC, by turning your PC into a portable hotspot. As such, your Smart TV is connected to the same WiFi or broadband network as your computer, thus benefiting from the same VPN connection. Please note that you need to have Windows 10 installed on your computer for this method to work. Read our short, step-by-step guide below for using this method.
- Install the VPN on your Windows PC. Most VPN providers make this very easy. After all, almost every popular VPN provider offers an easy-to-use Windows app nowadays. However, if you need some help with this, take a look at our article on setting up a VPN on Windows.
- Set up a portable hotspot on your computer. To do this, type “Mobile hotspot settingsin your computer’s search bar and click on it.
- Click on the little switch you see under “Wireless network from the phone, so it is turned on (in blue). Now check to make sure the correct network is displayed (your WiFi or broadband network) and to make sure WiFi is selected where it reads “Share my internet connection“.
- Now connect your Smart TV to your Windows PC’s WiFi or broadband network. To do this, use the information behind the Network Name and Network Password from the previous screen.
- Now your smart TV is connected via VPN. If you want to change your settings, you will have to do it from your computer. For example, let’s say you want to watch the US version of Netflix on your Smart TV, you choose a US VPN server on your computer.
2. Install a VPN on your router
Installing a VPN on your router is very useful to protect all your devices in the house at once. To achieve this, it is necessary to change the firmware on your router. This process is called flashing. Make sure to check if your router is suitable to do this because not all routers are suitable. To get some help with this, check out our article on the best VPN routers.
During this process, you can irreparably damage your router. This is why it is important to follow the instructions carefully. You can read our full guide on how to install a VPN on your router to learn how to update it.
Once you have the VPN installed on your router, you can allow your Smart TV to connect to it, just as it normally would. Once the connection is established, your Smart TV is protected by a VPN.
Install a VPN on your router
To install a VPN on your router, follow these steps:
- Check if your router is suitable for flashing.
- Change the firmware on your router and install the VPN.
- Connect your Smart TV to the router. This works the same as connecting to any other Wi-Fi network.
3. Install the VPN on a virtual router on your PC or Mac
If your router is not suitable for flashing or if you don’t want to, you can create a Wi-Fi hotspot on your PC or Mac and set it up as a default router using a VPN connection. You can then connect your Smart TV to the Internet via the hotspot on your PC or Mac. Installing a VPN on your PC or Mac varies depending on the device and operating system. Find a provider that matches well with your hardware and it shouldn’t be too difficult. Below you will find a guide to help you install a VPN on your virtual router.
Install a VPN on a virtual router
To install a VPN on your virtual router, follow these steps:
- Download the VPN app on your PC or Mac. Most VPN providers have an easy install wizard to help you install their software on your device.
- Create a Wi-Fi hotspot on your PC or Mac. How you do this depends on your device. If you can’t figure out how to do this, you can go to the website of your device product.
- Connect your Smart TV to a Wi-FI hotspot on your PC or Mac (which is connected through a VPN).
Sending from a different device
With a Smart TV, it is also possible to send content from another device to the Smart TV. When you do this you should think about a few things. You will always need your other device nearby, and if you switch between devices such as a smartphone and tablet, you will need to install a VPN on both devices. Moreover, the device you are using will be protected by VPN but your Smart TV will not. Simply use your Smart TV as an external monitor for your other device.
Best VPN for your Smart TV
If you do not have a subscription with a VPN provider, it may be worth choosing a VPN that works well with your Smart TV. A stable and fast connection is essential when you want to stream movies, series or music. Find a VPN provider that perfectly fits your needs. If you want to watch geo-blocked content, make sure that your provider always has servers that you can use for this. We’ve tested several providers and below are three excellent ones that work well with your Smart TV.
1. ExpressVPN for Smart TV
ExpressVPN works well with Smart TVs. It has an easy to use Android TV app that is easy to install on any of your devices. With its large server width and 256-bit encryption, it’s the perfect way to stream securely, freely and completely anonymously. Due to its high quality, it is one of the most expensive providers, but with its high quality and speed, ExpressVPN gives positive meaning to the saying “you get what you pay for”. Read more about this provider in our full ExpressVPN review.
- It is very easy to use a VPN
- Perfect for browsing, downloading and streaming anonymously (eg Netflix)
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries
Visit ExpressVPN
2. Surfshark for Smart TV
Surfshark is an excellent, very affordable VPN to use with your Smart TV. Surfshark is the cheapest premium VPN provider we tested, but it offers great streaming speeds nonetheless. Moreover, Surfshark can access the US version of Netflix and its 1040 servers in 61 countries, to tons of other geo-restricted content as well. Moreover, Surfshark is a very secure VPN provider, which respects and protects the privacy of its users. After all, it has a strict no-logs policy, top-notch encryption protocols, and a kill switch. Surfshark works with your Smart TV, using any of the methods described in this article. As such, it’s the perfect way – easily and affordably – to enjoy security, freedom, and privacy while using your Smart TV.
- Very easy to use and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30 day money back guarantee. No questions!
- Cheap with many additional options
Visit Surfshark
3. NordVPN for Smart TV
Just like ExpressVPN and Surfshark, NordVPN offers (smart TV) users plenty of security, privacy, geo-unblocking, and good streaming speeds. However, NordVPN also offers some additional features that make this VPN a great choice for Smart TV owners. NordVPN offers obfuscated servers and dedicated IP addresses. More and more streaming services are blocking VPN users nowadays. But the main reason why many want to use a VPN on their Smart TV is to unblock streaming content, such as the US version of Netflix. This is where NordVPN’s additional features come in. NordVPN’s obfuscated servers (in the US, Canada, France, Italy, and 10 other countries) and dedicated IP addresses make it difficult for streaming services to detect VPN users and thus block them. This is why NordVPN is a great choice for Smart TV users who want to stream and internet as freely as possible.
- Excellent protection and a large network of servers
- Nice and fun app
- no records
Visit NordVPN
last thoughts
When you have an Android TV, installing a VPN will be very easy due to the display of VPN apps in the Play Store. In other cases, you will have to install your VPN on your default router or router. This might be a little more difficult but you can find out how to do it in our guide. It is definitely worth doing because all your broadcasts will be safe and anonymous. Moreover, you will be able to access more content. All in all, a VPN is the perfect match for a Smart TV.
Setting up a VPN on Your Smart TV: Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure how to set up a VPN on your smart TV or why you should? Take a look at the frequently asked questions below and click on a question to find out the answer!
Yes you can. Although you cannot install a VPN directly on your Smart TV, you can still secure that device via a (virtual) router. Set up a VPN on your router by following these steps and enjoy more streaming capabilities as well as increased online privacy and security on your Smart TV.
A VPN provides more privacy, security, and freedom online. This means that your smart TV is less likely to be hacked, but you can also, for example, access the US version of Netflix on your TV even when you are not in the USA.
There are many VPNs that work perfectly with your smart TV. We specifically recommend Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN, as these VPNs offer large server networks, are generally very fast, and are easy to set up with a (virtual) router.
If you want to connect to a VPN on your Smart TV, you will need to do so via a regular or virtual router. Install a VPN on your (virtual) router and let your Smart TV access the internet via this router. This way, your smart TV will use the same secure internet connection as the router and be protected. Read more about how to set up this connection here.
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