The Apple TV is a good-looking and powerful bit of kit, and if you can afford it, it's a cut above other streaming devices. However, you can take your Apple TV experience to the next level by setting up the best Apple TV VPN, and watch global content at the drop of a hat.
From Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime to region-specific services like BBC iPlayer, ESPN and more, just about every service restricts what users can watch dependent on location. The best VPN can virtually relocate you anywhere in the world and get you absolutely everything that you pay for.
Previously, Apple TV devices didn't natively support VPN connections, but this has now changed thanks to Apple's tvOS update which is available for Apple TV HD and all generations of Apple TV 4K. It's now quick and easy to install a VPN for Apple TV and start streaming all your favourite shows – and we'll show you how.
However, if you do have an older Apple TV – first, second, and third generations – then tvOS is not supported and there are some extra steps to follow. But don't worry, we'll talk you through everything you have to do below.
The best Apple TV VPNs at a glance
How to use an Apple TV VPN – with tvOS
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
Setting up a VPN on newer Apple TVs, with tvOS, is super simple. Firstly, make sure your VPN subscription is active, and if you're looking to sign up, then one of the best streaming VPNs is a great place to start. Once you're signed up, head to the App Store on your Apple TV and search for your VPN provider and download the app. After the app has downloaded, simply log in to your account, connect to your server of choice, and stream away.
How to use an Apple TV VPN – without tvOS
If you have an older Apple TV device then you'll need to go down the router VPN or virtual router route. This means your device will get the addition of an encrypted internet location and the ability to relocate your IP before it reaches your Apple TV. While getting this all set up can prove complicated, we recommending following our in-depth guide on how to setup a virtual router, which in our opinion is much easier than installing a VPN directly on your router.
However, if you just want to unblock streaming content, using Smart DNS is a far simpler option. While Smart DNS doesn't offer the privacy benefits of a true VPN, it's unlikely you'll be doing much more than watching TV on your Apple TV, so quick and easy setup alongside superb streaming functionality are likely to be your top priorities.
We rate ExpressVPN as the best Apple TV VPN, for both new and older models. and we'll briefly outline some FAQs on how to set up an Apple TV VPN at the end of this guide – click here to jump down. Before that, though, we'll run down the very best Apple TV VPN services available right now – all of which have either a native Apple TV VPN app or support Smart DNS and routers.
The best Apple TV VPNs in detail
1. ExpressVPN – the best Apple TV overall
No matter how you want to access extra content on your Apple TV, in our ExpressVPN review, we found the premium provider to deliver. Both its Apple TV app and Smart DNS feature (known as MediaStreamer) are quick and easy to get going, and it's one of the few VPNs on the market that has a dedicated router app.
That might not sound like much, but if you want all of the good stuff an Apple TV VPN can offer, not just the freedom to stream extra content, you'll need the best Apple TV VPN.
For most, the app will be your go to route, and is suer simple to download and install from the App Store. For older Apple TV models, MediaStreamer will be plenty – and even setting up Smart DNS on your Apple TV sounds complicated enough. Thankfully, while it's not as hard as it sounds, ExpressVPN also boasts some of the best customer support in the business. That means you'll have comprehensive written guides to follow, and if anything doesn't go as planned, the live chat support is second to none.
However, just because your main use for your VPN might be on your Apple TV, that doesn't mean you can't protect your other devices. With a reasonable five connections permitted simultaneously, you can protect your iPhone, PC, and even more devices as well. It's not as generous as some, but it should be enough.
Some streaming sites, Netflix especially, have upped their VPN blocking game in the last year or so, but Express can still reliably unblock tons of different libraries. However, if any issues do arise, Express's live chat support is second to none, and it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so if it doesn't perform as expected, you won't be out of pocket.
2. NordVPN – the best VPN overall
As possibly the best-known VPN on the scene, NordVPN is likely to be most people's first choice as a VPN for Apple TV. Thankfully, in our NordVPN review it delivered, too.
If you want to set it up directly on your device, NordVPN provides a simple and effective Apple TV VPN app. Head to the App Store, search for NordVPN, then download and connect and start streaming your favourite shows. It's worth signing up to a plan beforehand, though, to ensure you get the best deal.
There's also a Smart DNS guide for Apple TV, which will allow you to expand your viewing. Again, although it sounds complex, it's not, so don't be afraid of giving it a go.
However, what's missing is a dedicated router app like ExpressVPN's, and this is what's holding Nord back for those with older Apple TVs. While it's absolutely possible to set the VPN up on your router, without any dedicated software it's a much more involved process – so much so that many users choose to purchase a pre-installed router.
If you reckon you're up to the task, though, once it's installed you'll have extra protection on all your devices. But if you're just after an Apple TV VPN, we'd recommend sticking with the app or Smart DNS.
NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out before committing, and if you want the superb VPN cover for a good price, it's a great option.
Head over to the NordVPN website to sign up
Fancy a bargain? Sign up with Surfshark. With superb streaming performance, a dedicated app, Smart DNS support, and unlimited simultaneous connections for less than $2.50 a month, for the penny pinchers it's a no brainer.
However, what we really loved in our Surfshark review is the fact it delivers a service virtually on a par with ExpressVPN and NordVPN for less money. While it's priced like a throwaway app, it's premium through and through.
If you just want to unblock streaming sites on your Apple TV, you guessed it – just find the on-site guide to setting up its dedicated Apple TV VPN app or Smart DNS and follow the steps. If you want an Apple TV VPN on your router, you can do that too, but as with Nord, there's no dedicated app and the setup is manual.
Where you will notice a slight difference is when you come to make use of that unlimited connections policy. While the apps are attractive and stable, you won't have quite the depth of configuration as the very best, but few people will be delving into those settings anyway.
So, if you want a cheap VPN for Apple TV that'll get the job done, Surfshark is an excellent choice.
Head over to the Surfshark website to sign up
Proton VPN is not only one of the most secure VPNs, but it's also a streaming powerhouse. In our Proton VPN review, we found it to unblock Netflix with ease, including some hard-to-access locations like Japan. It unblocks many of your favourite services including Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime, so whatever you fancy watching, Proton VPN has you covered.
Proton VPN has recently launched its Apple TV VPN app, which is quick and easy to download and set up. But it doesn't offer Smart DNS and the apps and interface could be simpler.
It's not the cheapest provider on this list, and the free version isn't great for streaming. But overall Proton VPN is still a good, privacy-focused VPN which you can try out with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Private Internet Access is one of the most well-established VPNs on the market, but that doesn't mean its standing still. In fact, in our most recent Private Internet Access review, we found that PIA was better than ever, and it jumped up our rankings.
As an Apple TV VPN, the most important thing is a VPN's power to unblock streaming services, and PIA is very reliable here. Whether it's US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer or just about any other service, you'll be able to watch wherever you are.
PIA also have a dedicated Apple TV VPN app, which is available to download and install from the App Store. It also has a Smart DNS service which is super simple to get up and running on your older Apple TV device.
All you need to do is search the comprehensive support section and go from there. Or, of course, like all the other options we've listed you could install PIA on your router, or set up a virtual router.
While a few other providers are a little faster, with average speeds of 320Mbps PIA still isn't exactly slow, and for the price, it's well worth testing out.
Sign up now on the PIA website
Apple TV VPN FAQs
How do you use an Apple TV VPN on newer devices?
If you have a newer Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K device then it's super easy to download and install your VPN. Just head to the App Store and search for the VPN provider you're subscribed to. Once you've found the dedicated app, simply download and install it on your Apple TV, sign in, and you're ready to stream.
How do you use an Apple TV VPN on older devices?
Setting up an Apple TV VPN on older devices isn't quite as simple as it is on newer ones, as you'll either have to use Smart DNS or install your chosen VPN on your router.
You chosen provider should have detailed instructions, but to set up Smart DNS, the process is fairly simple.
All you need to do is get the DNS address from your chosen provider – we recommend ExpressVPN. This will be easily available by searching 'Smart DNS' on your provider's help section.
Open up Network from Settings on your Apple TV. Head to Wi-Fi, and then click on Configure. Then change your DNS address from Automatic to Manual, and input the address given to you by your VPN.
Then, all you need to do is restart your Apple TV, and get watching!
Click here to return to our best Apple TV picks
What is Smart DNS?
Smart DNS is a way of spoofing your location when you either don't want to, or simply can't use a VPN connection. The most common reason to do so in this context is to unblock streaming services on Apple TVs.
Rather than how a VPN directs all of your traffic through a different server, Smart DNS only diverts your DNS (Domain Name Server) information. While this does not protect your privacy because your traffic is not encrypted, it's enough to fool streaming services.
Another bonus is the fact that it slows your connection far less than a VPN. While we'd say most of our picks here are fast VPN services, Smart DNS is even quicker.
- Read about the best iPhone VPN
- Save your cash with the best free VPN
- Check out the best torrenting VPN
