You will need a VPN for your Android TV for different reasons. A VPN is an anonymity tool that will keep your data secure online. You can use a VPN to secure your Android TV, as smart gadgets which include smart TVs are also vulnerable to online threats. Likewise, you can unblock the full potential of your Android TV using a VPN as it will help you unblock all blocked content from across the globe.
Setting up the VPN on your Android TV is pretty simple. There are different ways to set up the VPN on your Android TV. One is by directly installing the VPN app from the Google Play Store on your device and the other way is installing the VPN APK on your Android TV.
Download the VPN App on Your Android TV
Follow the steps below to download and install the VPN app on your Android TV from the Google Play Store.
- On your Android TV, visit the Google Play Store.
- Search for the VPN you wish to use. For example, if you wish to go for NordVPN, type NordVPN in the search bar and hit search.
- Once you find the NordVPN app, you can select and install it on your Android TV.
- After the VPN app is installed, you can launch it and select open to start using it.
However, you need to be subscribed to the VPN to secure your Android TV using the VPN. To first subscribe to the VPN, you must visit the VPN provider’s website and create an account. All the VPN providers offer three or four different types of subscription plans, for example, one month, six months, 12 months, and 24 months subscription plans. You can choose a plan of your choice and pay for your subscription. To save more on your VPN, you can go for a long term plan like the 12 months plan or the two-year plan as such plans come with higher discounts. For example, NordVPN offers a huge 68% discount on its two-year plan. Similarly, other VPN services also offer higher discounts on long term plans. For information on VPN discounts and coupons, you can check out our VPN coupons page.
A few of the VPNs that come with a standalone app for Android TV include NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, ExpressVPN, Ivacy VPN, and VyprVPN. You can go for any one of these VPNs to download the native Android TV app for your device.
VPN APK for your Android TV
- Download the .apk file of the VPN you wish to use.
- Go to the tab named “Personal” on your Android TV.
- Choose “Security & restrictions.”
- Check if “Unknown Sources” is enabled. If not, enable it.
- Now, visit the Google Play Store on your Android TV.
- Download and install FS File Explorer or ES File Explorer on your Android TV. (You can go for ES File Explorer as it comes with the FTP option).
- You can now sideload the VPN APK file through the file explorer you just downloaded.
Why Do You Need a VPN for Your Android Tv?
Here are a few reasons why you need a VPN for your Android TV.
Unblock blocked services
While there are a lot of streaming services available these days, not all these services are available in all countries. Likewise, even if the services are available in multiple locations, not all the content is available to viewers from all locations.
Due to licensing agreements, certain shows and movies are not made available to people living in all countries. Though you subscribe to the streaming service, you can access only some of the content meant for viewers from your location. But you can quickly evade all these restrictions by connecting to a VPN. A VPN will help you unblock blocked streaming services as well as the content that is unavailable in your region. This includes Netflix US, Hulu, and more.
Security and privacy
Smart devices, including Smart TVs that can be connected to the internet, are vulnerable to attacks online. Your Android TV connected to the internet can be hacked. To secure your device and to prevent it from being hacked, you will need a trustworthy VPN. A VPN will make your device more secure by hiding your original IP address.
Stop ISP Bandwidth Throttling
A VPN will help you prevent your ISP from intentionally throttling your internet. Most ISPs throttle bandwidth when their users’ stream media or download files. This could result in you experiencing slow connection speeds. But when you are connected to a VPN, your online activities will be hidden from your ISP as your IP will be masked. This way, you can stream as much as you wish as your ISP will not be able to see what you do online and cannot throttle your bandwidth. A VPN will let you enjoy the full potential of your internet.
Best VPNs for Android TV – Our Recommendation
- NordVPN
- ExpressVPN
- Surfshark VPN
- VyprVPN
- Ivacy VPN
To know more about the best VPNs for Android TV, you can check out this article.
