Using a VPN on your smart TV can help you avoid buffering, keep your streaming activity private, and access content not available in your region. Setting up a VPN on your smart TV is relatively easy, even though most smart TVs are not compatible with VPNs out of the box. By using a VPN, you can sidestep ISP throttling, encrypt your traffic, and route it through a different location. This can allow you to unblock geo-restricted content and prevent your ISP from monitoring your viewing habits.
There are various ways to set up a VPN on your TV, depending on your technical skills, budget, and the equipment you have access to. Using a VPN on your TV can also help you access streaming content that is regionally locked. For example, if you are in the UK but want to watch US programming, you can connect to a US server using your VPN to access American content. It’s important to check with your streaming service to ensure using a VPN doesn’t violate its terms of service.
If you have a Fire TV or a smart TV running on Google’s Android operating system, you can download a VPN app directly onto your TV from the respective app stores. This allows you to easily connect to a VPN server and unblock content or hide your viewing habits from your ISP. If you don’t have a compatible smart TV, you can set up a VPN on your router to share the VPN connection with your TV. However, this method may be more complex and expensive.
Another option is to use your computer as a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect your TV to your computer wirelessly to share the VPN connection. This method may require additional adapters, but it is a simple and practical way to use a VPN on your TV. Additionally, if you don’t have a smart TV, you can connect a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Firestick to your TV and set up a VPN on the device to access the benefits of using a VPN on your TV.
When choosing a VPN for your smart TV, consider factors such as speed, server locations, compatibility with your TV or router, and privacy protections. VPNs like ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN are recommended for their fast speeds, server locations, and privacy features. By using a VPN on your smart TV, you can enhance your streaming experience, access geo-blocked content, and keep your viewing habits private from your ISP.
