How to Stream Video to Your TV with a VPN

You don't have to stick to just your phone or laptop for viewing VPN-shifted streams.

You know how annoying it can be when you can't find your favourite show or movie on your local streaming service? It's all because of those pesky geography-based licensing deals major studios have. But there's a nifty trick savvy viewers use: VPNs, or virtual private networks. By changing your location from the US to the UK, you can suddenly unlock a treasure trove of content, like "Friends" and "The Office" on Netflix.

It's super easy to set up a VPN on your phone, tablet, or PC—just a quick visit to the app store and you're good to go. But getting that VPN magic onto your TV? That’s a bit trickier. Don’t worry, though—I've got you covered! I'll guide you through the steps to enjoy geo-blocked content on the biggest screen in your home.

First things first, if you don’t already have a VPN subscription, I’d advise steering clear of most free VPN options, except for Proton VPN, which is a solid choice. Let's get started!

How to Stream Video to Your Smart TV Using a VPN

Alright, let’s dive into getting that sweet VPN action on your smart TV! The easiest route? Download the VPN directly from your TV’s built-in app store—if it’s available. Your best bets for this are Amazon’s Fire TV and Google TV, which both have strong support for VPN apps.

Don’t have a TV that runs on those systems? No worries! You can easily add them to any TV with an open HDMI port for about $30. Apple TV is another option, offering a growing selection of VPNs, although it’s a bit pricier. And as for Roku? Sadly, it doesn’t support built-in VPN apps yet. But hey, I've got other tricks up my sleeve for that!

Fire TV

Amazon’s Fire TV is a binge-watcher's dream, thanks to its vast Prime Video catalog. Plus, navigating its user interface is a breeze, which makes installing a VPN super simple. Here’s what you do: head to the Fire TV app store, search for your VPN service, and voila! Fire TV offers plenty of options.

Once you’ve found your VPN, just download the app, log in, and connect. Change your IP address to another country, and suddenly, you’re unlocking a whole new world of Prime Video content. Easy peasy!

Google TV

Google TV is another smart TV operating system with a sleek and user-friendly interface, supporting thousands of apps, including VPNs and streaming platforms. Setting up a VPN on Google TV is as easy as pie. Just download your VPN app of choice, log in, and connect. Then, fire up your favorite streaming service and start watching. While Google TV’s VPN options aren’t as extensive as Fire TV’s, it still offers more choices than Apple TV.

Apple TV

Want to install a VPN directly on your Apple TV? You’ll need tvOS 17 or later for that. If you’ve got the latest update, setting up a VPN is straightforward. Just remember, Apple TV doesn’t support as many VPN services as other platforms, so make sure your chosen VPN is compatible. If you’re not on tvOS 17 yet, don’t worry! We’ve got some alternative workarounds for you below.

AirPlay or Google Cast from a VPN-enabled device

Let's break down the difference between screen casting and mirroring. Screen casting allows you to stream content to your smart TV while still using your device for other tasks, without affecting what's on the TV. Mirroring, on the other hand, replicates everything you do on your device onto the TV screen. So, if you switch apps or check messages, your TV will show exactly that.

Just like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for cars, there are Apple and Google versions of screen casting: AirPlay and Google Cast (formerly Chromecast). Here's how it works: fire up your VPN on your phone or tablet, open your streaming app, start your movie or show, and then tap the AirPlay or Google Cast icon to send it to your TV. If your TV doesn’t support these features out of the box, consider buying a set-top box that does.

AirPlay is widely known for its reliability and works with many smart TVs and set-top boxes. I personally tested it from my iPhone XR with VPN on to my Samsung UHD TV, and it worked seamlessly.

For Google Cast, simply click the icon featuring a TV and Wi-Fi waves to start casting your content onto the big screen.

Keep in mind, Amazon is developing its own screencasting platform called Matter Casting, but it’s not widely compatible yet.

HDMI from a VPN-enabled device

If you're not keen on dealing with wireless connections, here's a less talked-about method to stream video to your TV with a VPN: using an HDMI cable. Grab yourself an HDMI cable and, depending on your device, maybe an HDMI dongle like the ones that convert USB-C to HDMI. Once everything's plugged in, your laptop, phone, or tablet screen will show up on your TV. From there, simply launch your VPN, open your streaming app or browser, and go full screen. Easy-peasy!

Whole-house VPN access: Set up a VPN on your router

If you're looking to take your VPN streaming game to the next level and want every device in your home network to access geo-blocked content, setting up a VPN on your router is the way to go. But fair warning: this isn't for the faint of heart. It's the most complex method we'll discuss here.

Setting up a VPN on your router involves either getting a new router that supports VPNs out of the box or flashing custom firmware onto your current one. This often means waving goodbye to your router's warranty, so proceed with caution. You'll also need someone savvy in the household who can handle configuring and managing the VPN settings. Leaving the VPN on constantly can cause issues with regular internet activities like shopping or browsing.

For ExpressVPN users, there's a more straightforward option: check out their AirCove router models. These are specially designed by ExpressVPN, ensuring they come with full warranty support and expert help directly from the company. 

Good luck and happy streaming!