As one of Apple’s most popular streaming devices, Apple TV boasts powerful performance. However, despite its excellent capabilities, Apple TV cannot provide access to global streaming content. This is where an Apple TV VPN proves its value.
Choosing a VPN with comprehensive features, top-notch speed, and strong security is crucial as it directly impacts your streaming experience.
This article introduces some of the best VPNs for Apple TV and provides a detailed setup guide.
Features the Apple TV VPN Should Have
Before setting up a VPN for Apple TV, you can check the features that they should have.
Compatible with Apple TV: The VPN’s compatibility with Apple TV is necessary for watching unlimited films, shows, and other videos. You can check if the VPN supports Apple TV before using one.
No limitation on Internet traffic and bandwidth: Network lagging is annoying when you watch films on Apple TV. A good VPN doesn’t have bandwidth throttling and will not slow down your network connection.
Multiple server locations: The main purpose of setting up an Apple TV VPN is to unblock geo-restricted content in your region. Your favorite films or shows may come from foreign Netflix, so you may need to find a VPN with multiple server locations for more options.
Secure network connection: Even though Apple provides robust network protection on your Apple TV, you may still need to set up a VPN to hide the IP address when watching geo-restricted content from foreign Netflix.
Note: You may need to check if your Apple TV has the VPN app you want. If not, you can adopt other methods to use a VPN on your Apple TV.
A Brief List of the Best Apple TV VPN
The number of server locations and price of the VPNs on Apple TV are listed here.
| VPN provider | Monthly Price Range | Server locations | Smart DNS setup | App for Apple TV (tvOS 17) |
| LightningX VPN | $2.40 – $ 5.70 | 50+ countries | Yes | Yes |
| NordVPN | $3.19 – $12.99 | 60 countries | Yes | Yes |
| Surfshark | $2.30 – $15.45 | 100 countries | Yes | Yes |
| ExpressVPN | $8.32 – $12.95 | 94 countries | Yes | Yes |
| CyberGhost | $2.19 – $12.99 | 91 countries | Yes | No |
By checking the brief list above, you may find that LightningX VPN has the cheapest monthly price range while it still has the key features for watching films and dramas on Apple TV.
The Detailed Introduction of the Apple TV VPN
Check the key features of 4 Apple TV VPNs and select one to use.
LightningX VPN – Best VPN for Apple TV
LightningX VPN is the best VPN for Apple TV. Here are its key features.
Excellent performance and speed: LightningX VPN has no bandwidth limitation on your network which means you will have a smooth experience when watching films and dramas on Apple TV.
Multiple server locations: It covers more than 50 countries with 2,000+ servers, including the US, Australia, Japan, India, etc. You can change the IP address to these locations at your will.
Robust encryption protocol: LightningX VPN adopts encryption protocols such as Shadowsocks, Vless, and WireGuard, employing strong encryption algorithms like AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305. These will protect your browsing data and IP address from being tracked by your ISP and the website you visit.
App on tvOS 17: LightningX VPN supports native apps on an Apple TV.
Simultaneous device connection: LightningX VPN supports three simultaneous device connections which means you can use it on a phone, tablet, and PC simultaneously.
Free trial: LightningX VPN provides a one-day free trial for those who download it for the first time. After subscribing to its plans, you can enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee and a seven-day free trial.
Subscription plan:
- 1 Day: $0.99 (Most popular).
- 1 Month: $0.19/day, $5.7 total.
- 3 Months + 1 Month Free: $0.13/day, $11.7 total.
- 1 Year + 1 Year Free: $0.08/day, $28.8 total. Best value you can have.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Note: LightningX VPN supports streaming platforms including TikTok、Netflix、Disney+、HBO、YouTube, etc.
Related: 4 Best Android TV VPNs (Fast, Secure, Affordable)
NordVPN – Offers Both Speed and Security
As a well-known VPN brand, NordVPN is undoubtedly an excellent VPN for Apple TV. Its excellent features are listed below.
Ultra-fast speed: NordVPN has unlimited bandwidth on your network connection. You can watch Netflix, Disney+, and HBO on your Apple TV without buffering.
Multiple server options: NordVPN has 6,415 ultra-fast servers in 110 countries. This will meet your needs of watching geo-restricted content in other regions.
Strong encryption: NordLynx is the VPN protocol of NordVPN. It can help hide your IP address and browsing data. You can even stream online when using a public Wi-Fi network.
App on tvOS 17: You can directly download the NordVPN app on the Apple TVs running tvOS 17.
Simultaneous device connection: NordVPN supports 10 devices connecting to it simultaneously. This is quite enough for personal use.
Free trial: NordVPN doesn’t provide a free trial for purchases on its website. However, if you download it on Android from Google Play, you can get a 7-day free trial.
Subscription plan:
| Price and plan | Standard Plan | Plus Plan | Ultimate Plan |
| Per month | $12.99 | $13.99 | $15.99 |
| 1 year | $55.08($4.59/mo) | $65.88 ($5.49/mo) | $89.88 ($7.49/mo) |
| 2 years | $88.56($3.69/mo) | $112.56($4.69/mo) | $160.56($6.69/mo) |
Surfshark – Provide Secure Protection for Your Apple TV Streaming
Surfshark is also suitable for Apple TV streaming. Its key features are listed below.
Fast network connection: Surfshark provides a single 1 Gbps port on every server which means you can smoothly watch videos and play games online.
Multiple server locations: Surfshark covers 100 countries with 3,200+ servers including the US, Albania, Andorra, etc. You can access unlimited content in different countries.
Reliable encryption protocol: Surfshark supports protocols such as WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. These will help mask your browsing data and hide your IP address.
App on tvOS 17: You can simply download and install the Surfshark app on the Apple TVs running tvOS 17.
Simultaneous device connection: Surfshark provides an unlimited device connection. However, if you connect too many devices to Surfshark, other users’ experience may be affected.
Free trial: You can get a 7-day free trial from Google Play or App Store.
Price and plan:
- 1 month: $15.45
- 1 year: $41.86 ($2.99/mo).
- 2 years + 2 months free: $59.54 ($2.29/mo).
- 30-day money-back guarantee (Google Play or App Store).
ExpressVPN – A Comprehensive Apple TV VPN
Speed and Security: ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption, RAM-only servers, and a kill switch to protect your data’s security and privacy. It also supports multiple encryption protocols such as IKEv2, PPTP, and SSTP, ensuring smooth and secure streaming of videos and online gaming on Apple TV.
Global Server Network: ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers across 105 countries, allowing you to freely change your IP address and bypass geographic restrictions to access content globally.
tvOS 17 Compatibility: Designed specifically for Apple TV, ExpressVPN supports the tvOS 17 operating system, ensuring perfect compatibility and smooth performance.
Simultaneous Device Connections: You can connect ExpressVPN to multiple devices at once, supporting up to eight devices while maintaining the security of all your devices.
Free Trial: After subscribing to ExpressVPN, you can enjoy a seven-day free trial available through Google Play or the App Store, giving you ample time to test the service’s performance and features.
Price and plan:
- 1 Month: $12.95
- 6 Months: $9.99/Month, $59.94 total.
- 1 Year + 3 Months Free: $6.67/Month, $80.04 total.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Methods of Setting up an Apple TV VPN
Here are the methods of setting up a VPN on Apple TV.
Directly download the VPN app from the App Store
If your Apple TV has VPN apps, you can directly search for one from the App Store. For example, you can directly search LightningX VPN from the App Store on an Apple TV running tvOS 17.
Set up a VPN router
Different routers may have different processes for setting up a VPN on Apple TV. You can check your router’s specific instructions from the manufacturer’s website.
Set up a VPN with Smart DNS
Smart DNS is a feature of some VPNs that helps you unlock geo-restricted content. You can set up one with your Apple TV to enjoy geo-restricted films. However, the setup steps of VPNs are different. You may go to the websites of VPNs to check the exact instructions.
Share the VPN-protected connection via Wi-Fi hotspot (Windows)
You can simply connect your Apple TV to a VPN via a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, this only works with Windows. Here are the steps.
- Go to “Settings” on your Windows PC.
- Click Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot > Wi-Fi. Then switch on the hotspot.
- Go back to Network & Internet and click “Advanced network settings”.
- Scroll down and click “More network adapter options”.
- Right-click on your VPN adapter and select “Properties”.
- Select “Sharing” and check the box near “Allow network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”.
- Click “OK”. Then you can connect your Apple TV to the mobile hotspot.
Mirror or cast from Mac or iOS
You can simply mirror or cast your stream on Apple TV from your Mac or iOS connected to a VPN. Here are the steps.
Mac:
- Download and install a VPN app you want on your Mac.
- Sign in to the VPN account and connect to a server.
- Connect your Mac and Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Tap the mirroring icon that appears on your Mac screen and choose your Apple TV.
- You can also go to “System Preferences” on your Mac and tap “Display”.
- Choose Apple TV on the “AirPlay Display” drop-down menu.
- Check the box near “Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available”.
- Wait for your Mac’s screen to appear on your Apple TV.
iOS:
- Download and install the VPN app on your iOS device.
- Go to the app and sign in. Then choose a server.
- Connect your iOS device and Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Choose a film or video you want to stream.
- Tap the mirroring icon that appears on your iPhone screen. Then choose your Apple TV from the list.
Why You Need an Apple TV VPN
Although Apple TV has no native browser and will not collect your browsing data, you may still need a VPN.
The main purpose of using a VPN is to unlock the geo-restricted content in your region. The available films, shows, and dramas on your Apple TV are limited. For example, in different countries, Netflix provides different content which means you may need a VPN to change your IP address for watching the blocked videos.
If you stream the videos on your Apple TV, the streaming platforms may still collect your browsing data and IP address. That means you need a VPN to solve these problems.
Final Words
Having a VPN on Apple TV unblocks much geo-restricted content in your region. It also protects your browsing data and IP address from being leaked. You can have a free trial of LightningX VPN to test the water.
