Best VPN Android TV Box

Android TV boxes are popular alternatives to media center software like Kodi or Plex and are ideal for people who don’t have the confidence, skills, or time to set up a traditional digital media hub. However, Android TV boxes often come with numerous video apps installed, and these apps are often geo-locked, meaning they’re only accessible from a particular country or region. For instance, if you live in the US, you won’t be able to watch TV shows on the BBC iPlayer app. You can resolve this problem by connecting to a VPN, which is why this article lists the best VPNs for Android TV boxes and explains in detail how to set them up.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) encrypt your network traffic and route it through a server in a different location. To any outside observers, your traffic now appears to be coming from the region the server is in. Better still, your encrypted data cannot be read by anyone without the decryption key. This prevents your ISP from seeing the sites you visit, the content you stream, and selling details of your online activities or using them to justify throttling your internet connection speeds.

We’ll go into more detail about the best VPNs for Android TV boxes further down, but if you don’t have time to hang around, we’ll start with a summary of our top picks.

We found these to be the best VPNs for Android TV boxes:

  1. NordVPN Our top recommendation for Android TV boxes. Strong security and fast servers. Works with Netflix as well as most other major streaming sites. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
    TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Android TV boxes.
  2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Android TV. Works with Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer and allows an unlimited number of simultaneous device connections.
  3. IPVanish: Perfect for Android TV users who need a lightweight, remote-control-friendly solution. Strong security and decent speeds. Allows unlimited connections.
  4. ExpressVPN: Fast with solid security, plus it works with tons of streaming sites like Netflix. Includes router support and a smart DNS service if your Android device doesn’t support VPNs.
  5. CyberGhost: Strict no-logs policy VPN with great security and super-fast streaming servers. Perfect for streaming. Vast network of global servers.
  6. PrivateVPN: An up-and-comer that’s great for streaming while providing strong security and good connection speeds.
  7. PureVPN: A quick and reliable VPN boasting strong security and a novice-friendly Android app. Works with most streaming platforms and offers 24/7 customer support over live chat.
  8. ProtonVPN: Highly customizable service with a no-logs policy, exceptional streaming ability, and plenty of customizable security tools. Ideal for anyone setting up a home media center.
Get NordVPN - the #1 VPN for Android TV boxes
Warning

Many VPNs claim to work with Android TV boxes but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.

We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock Android TV boxes and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.

WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?

NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up on this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for Android TV, without restriction, for a full month. This is great if you were hoping to stream geo-restricted content while traveling abroad. 

There are no hidden termsjust inform customer support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you, and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

Our criteria for finding the top Android TV box VPNs

There are dozens of VPNs available, but not all of them are best suited to Android TV box users. Below, we highlight the best VPNs for streaming, explore their functionality, and explain which platforms they’re available for. After all, there’s no reason to limit your VPN usage to your Android TV box. To decide which services were the best for Android TV boxes, we looked for VPNs that offered:

  • Fast streaming speeds and stable connections
  • A dedicated Android app as well as a separate APK file for manual installations
  • The ability to securely access popular streaming services
  • Minimal logging of your data to keep your browsing truly private
  • Knowledgeable customer support should you need it

I you want to know more, you can learn about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below. 

The best VPNs for Android TV Boxes: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Android TV Boxes.

No valueNordVPNSurfsharkIPVanishExpressVPNCyberGhostPrivateVPNPureVPNProton VPN
WebsiteNordVPN.comSurfshark.comIPVanish.comExpressVPN.comCyberghost.comPrivateVPN.comPureVPN.comprotonvpn.com
Ranking for Android TV Box12345678
Streaming reliabilityExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellentGoodGoodGoodGood
Avg Speed (Mbps)100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps74 Mbps400 Mbps100+ Mbps
Popular Sites Unblocked95%88%85%86%85%85%80%87%
Simultaneous Connections10UnlimitedUnlimited871010Free: 1, VPN Plus: 10
Total number of servers6,000+3,2002,200+Undisclosed11,000+200+6,500+3,800
Best deal (per month)$2.99
74% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months
$1.99
87% OFF + 4 months free
$6.49
Best MONTHLY deal
$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans
$2.19
SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free!
$2.00
Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free
$1.99
85% off the 5-yr standard plan
$4.49
SAVE 55% on a 2-year plan

Best VPNs for Android TV Boxes

Here at Comparitech, we put all the VPNs through their paces personally before we recommend them to you. These reviews are based on our first-hand findings.

Here is our list of the best VPNs for Android TV boxes:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Dec 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for Android TV boxes. Offers several different types of servers, including some optimized for ultra-fast streaming. If you’re interested in watching 4K content on your TV box (assuming your hardware supports it), this is a huge plus. Better yet, NordVPN allows six simultaneous device connections on a single account, which is far more generous than most other VPN providers. There’s even live chat customer support in case you run into any problems.

It’s no slouch when it comes to security to protect your internet activities either. NordVPN uses military-grade encryption that (as of the time of writing) cannot be broken. It doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, and its kill switch allows you to block specific applications’ internet access when the connection to the VPN server is lost.

NordVPN has apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux, and iOS, with browser plugins for Firefox and Chrome. It can be manually installed on a decent selection of WiFi routers.

NordVPN speed test results

No valueNordVPN
WebsiteNordVPN.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)354 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)262 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)284 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$2.99
74% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months

Pros:

  • Veteran provider works well with Android TV
  • Faster than any of its rivals
  • Robust security and privacy credentials
  • Reliably works with popular streaming services
  • Offers 24/7 live chat
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

  • Desktop apps can be sluggish sometimes

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST VPN FOR ANDROID TV:NordVPN is our top choice for Android TV Incredible HD streaming speeds. Allows up to 6 simultaneous devices to be connected. Keeps no logs. Provides a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review here, or check out our video review below.

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2. Surfshark

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark is a young VPN provider that allows you to connect as many devices as you want for a low price. An Android TV app is available from Google Play, and it works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

The apps employ strong encryption and a kill switch that halts internet traffic should the VPN connection drop. This is key in protecting your online activities. Live chat support is available around the clock. It’s not the fastest VPN, and its server list is on the short side, but it should be more than enough for most cord-cutters.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Linux.

Surfshark speed test results

No valueSurfshark
WebsiteSurfshark.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)521 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)702 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)561 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$1.99
87% OFF + 4 months free

Pros:

  • Large network of more than 3,200 servers in 100+ countries
  • Great range of security features
  • Logless provider
  • Offers 24/7 live chat
  • Allows unlimited devices

Cons:

  • A relatively small server network
  • Some slow speeds

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is inexpensive yet highly versatile. Allows an unlimited number of simultaneous device connections. Works with many streaming sites while keeping you safe and private. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

IPVanish is a top-rated VPN among Kodi users because of its low cost and negligible impact on connection speeds. It owns and maintains most of its servers, allowing it to control every aspect of the network and resolve problems faster than most of its competitors. IPVanish uses 256-bit AES encryption. It also offers a selection of additional security options, including a kill switch, regular IP address changes, and OpenVPN obfuscation.

IPVanish doesn’t work with certain streaming platforms but excels at keeping you protected while using P2P networks and Kodi. It’s perfect for TV box users thanks to its lightweight, easy-to-use Android app. Further, IPVanish works with every Kodi addon we’ve tested.

IPVanish is one of the simplest VPNs to install, thanks to its excellent multi-platform support. There are apps for Windows, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire Stick. It can be manually configured to work on Linux and Linux-based devices like the Raspberry Pi.

IPVanish speed test data

No valueIPVanish
WebsiteIPVanish.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)277 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)237 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)352 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$6.49
Best MONTHLY deal

Pros:

  • Works well with Android TV
  • Very fast streaming speeds
  • Completely log-less service won’t compromise your privacy
  • Great security to protect your internet activity
  • No connection limits

Cons:

  • Customer support is a little slow
  • Based in the US

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

EASY TO USE:IPVanish is great for families that want to connect multiple devices with a good choice of apps. A favorite with Kodi users that also works well with most Android TV boxes. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN has fast speeds and a lack of bandwidth restrictions. It offers over 3,000 servers in more than 100+ countries. It can securely access the most popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, and BBC iPlayer, despite their best efforts to block VPN users from accessing restricted content.

It’s also one of the most secure VPNs because it uses 256-bit AES encryption (which would take billions of years to brute force) and doesn’t log your IP address or the sites you visit. There’s even a network lock that stops all internet traffic when the connection to the VPN is dropped. ExpressVPN is constantly improving and upgrading its technology and recently added new features, such as the ability to block ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult sites.

This VPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and certain routers. It can also be manually configured to work with Chrome OS, Apple TV, Playstations, and Xbox One. In addition, you can connect up to eight devices with one account.

ExpressVPN speed test results

No valueExpressVPN
WebsiteExpressVPN.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)319 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)303 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)278 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$4.99
SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans

Pros:

  • Works seamlessly with Android TV devices and is easy to use
  • Superfast servers are great for streaming HD content
  • Best-in-class encryption makes for solid security and privacy
  • 24/7 live chat customer support
  • Keeps no logs

Cons:

  • Not the cheapest on this list
  • Doesn’t offer many customizable features

Our score:

4 out of 5

SOLID ALL ROUNDER:ExpressVPN can handle almost anything. A blazing-fast service that works with all major video streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Great digital privacy features and top security. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is one of the most security-conscious VPNs available. They don’t keep logs of your browsing history, fast connection times, or your real IP address. All traffic is secured with 256-bit encryption. It even includes extra features like a built-in ad-blocker, forced HTTPS redirection, and malware protection so you can ensure you’re protected from the internet’s most common threats and annoyances at all times.

The CyberGhost app has specific servers you can select based on what you’d like to achieve. For instance, there are streaming-optimized servers, as well as those designed for safe torrenting. While CyberGhost offers fewer locations to choose from than some of its rivals, it has a high number of servers in its global network, including Europe and the US. This is where the majority of popular streaming platforms are based.

CyberGhost offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It can be manually configured to work with some WiFi routers.

CyberGhost speed test results

No valueCyberGhost
WebsiteCyberghost.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)449 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)269 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)167 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$2.19
SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free!

Pros:

  • Easy to use with Android TV Boxes
  • Doesn’t compromise on online security and digital privacy
  • Solid streaming ability
  • Testing revealed impressive speeds for great streaming
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

  • Doesn’t work in the UAE or China
  • Users can’t tweak advanced settings

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

GREAT FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is easy to use with a custom app for Android TV. Unblocks popular streaming content. Has fewer server choices than its nearest rivals. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PrivateVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

PrivateVPN isn’t as well-known as some of the other VPNs we’ve covered, but it punches well above its weight in terms of usability. PrivateVPN is completely log-less, uses 256-bit encryption, and has no bandwidth limits whatsoever. While it has around 200 servers spread across 60 countries in its global network, it offers above-average streaming speeds and has no noticeable buffering when streaming 1080p content.

PrivateVPN is capable of securely accessing Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, however, it can’t bypass China’s Great Firewall. The company offers a live chat service during business hours with longer response times at the weekends. With your approval, the support staff can also remotely control your device to solve more difficult problems if necessary.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Android, Windows, and iOS. It can be manually installed on macOS, Linux, and some internet access routers. Security helps to protect your online activities, so you are free to get on and enjoy your internet freedom.

PrivateVPN speed test data

No valuePrivateVPN
WebsitePrivateVPN.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)94 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)57 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)62 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$2.00
Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free

Pros:

  • Works great with Android TV
  • Very high speeds and exceptional streaming capability
  • Strong on security

Cons:

  • Fewer servers to choose from than other providers higher on this list
  • Doesn’t work in China

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

Great Speeds:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Works fine with Android TV boxes. Good for general-purpose use and Torrenting. Streaming speeds were surprisingly good at this end of the market. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

PrivateVPN Coupon
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7. PureVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PureVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS

PureVPN is another strong choice for anyone looking to secure their Android TV box. It operates more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries and is extremely fast (averaging around 400 Mbps in our latest testing). What’s more, it can reliably access a huge list of popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, and Peacock. Thanks to its easy-to-use apps and high connection limit, novice users shouldn’t have too much trouble. However if you do experience issues, support staff are available 24 hours per day over live chat.

This VPN uses powerful encryption to shield your activities from snoopers and prevent ISP throttling. Additionally, it stops IPv6 and DNS leaks and uses a kill switch to ensure that you never browse the web without protection. You can even block trackers automatically provided you signed up for the Plus or Max subscription. PureVPN follows a no-logging policy and has been audited on four separate occasions. Our only real complaint is that it doesn’t accept anonymous payment methods like Bitcoin, but you can still sign up using a prepaid card if you’d like a little more privacy.

PureVPN has apps for Android, Windows, MacOS, Linux, and iOS. Further, it can be manually installed on most home routers and provides setup instructions on its website.

PureVPN speed test data

Pros:

  • Large network, very high speeds
  • Has everything you need to stream safely
  • Prioritizes ease of use

Cons:

  • Tracker-blocking not included on standard plans
  • Fewer advanced features than some of its rivals

Our score:

4 out of 5

VERSATILE AND RELIABLE:PureVPN has ultra-fast servers, strong security, and the ability to access just about any streaming service. It’s designed with beginners in mind and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee with every subscription.

Interested? Check out our complete review of PureVPN.

PureVPN Coupon
85% off the 5-yr standard plan
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8. ProtonVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.protonvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ProtonVPN has a truly expansive network, with thousands of servers spread across a whopping 85 countries. It’s extremely fast, too, averaging roughly 330 Mbps, which is quick enough to stream live 4K video without any problems. This service excels at beating regional restrictions and can help you access platforms like Amazon Prime Video or BBC iPlayer abroad. Its Android app even blocks ads and trackers automatically, removing one of the biggest annoyances associated with free streaming services. Need help? Support is available 24/7 via live chat.

We were really impressed by this VPN’s security offering. To begin with, it uses unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to keep you safe from snoopers. However, it also offers split tunneling functionality and Secure Core servers that send your data through multiple locations, so you’re even harder to track. ProtonVPN follows a strict no-logs policy, accepts multiple anonymous payment options, and has been independently audited. Unfortunately though its port forwarding tool is currently only available to Windows users.

ProtonVPN has its own Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. It works with a wide range of routers and provides manual setup instructions in its website’s help section.

ProtonVPN speed test data

No valueProton VPN
Websiteprotonvpn.com
Average Connection Speed - North America (USA)390 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Europe (UK)306 Mbps
Average Connection Speed - Asia (Hong Kong)295 Mbps
Best deal (per month)$4.49
SAVE 55% on a 2-year plan

Pros:

  • Impressive speeds
  • Strong security credentials
  • Able to handle any task you throw at it

Cons:

  • Costs a little more than others on this list
  • Tailored more towards experienced users

Our score:

4 out of 5

GREAT FOR STREAMING:ProtonVPN is a great choice for Android TV boxes. It’s lightweight, highly customizable, and able to access almost every streaming app we’ve tested. Paid subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.

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Methodology: How we find the best VPNs for Android TV boxes

You can’t be expected to try every VPN that offers an app for Android TV! We’ve attempted to save you some time by searching for the best VPNs for Android TV boxes. Below, we go through our methodology, which helped us identify them:

  • Android TV-compatible: Of course, we started by looking for those VPNs that offer apps for Android TV (not all VPNs do!). Also, so that you have the flexibility to protect all your gadgets with one VPN, we look for providers that work with a wide variety of devices. We look for providers that support major operating systems like Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS at a minimum. But we also look for them to work with other platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and Wi-Fi routers. We also like providers that offer browser extensions.
  • Servers worldwide: It’s important that your VPN offers servers in a wide range of locations. This allows you greater flexibility in the content you can unblock as well as in terms of finding a fast server close to your physical location. We’ve identified VPNs with thousands of servers across dozens of countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK.
  • Speed: Our speed tests helped us identify the fastest VPNs for Android TV. All of these services are highly suitable for streaming, particularly because they all offer unlimited bandwidth. This means that you can stream your favorite apps on Android TV in high resolution without having to contend with lag or buffering.
  • Unblocking: Not all VPNs are consistent unblockers of content, particularly when it comes to streaming services. Having tested each VPN against a wide range of geo-restricted websites and services, we believe them to be the most reliable options available. This makes them all highly suitable when you’re traveling abroad.
  • Security: Whether you’re using your VPN with Android TV or your Android phone, you should expect high-end encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. This ensures your data is safe even if you’re connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots. Some of the VPNs even include extras, such as Double VPN servers for encrypting your data twice.
  • Privacy: While many VPNs claim to operate no-logs policies, this isn’t always the case. We have examined more than 140 VPN logging policies in total, identifying those that do and don’t keep identifying logs of users. That way, you can be sure that the VPNs we’re recommending ensure the protection of your privacy.
  • Ease of use: A VPN app for Android TV should be quick and easy to use, like any other VPN app. You should be able to connect to a server in seconds, and chances are, you won’t encounter issues all too often. Just in case, live chat and email support are available 24 hours a day should you require any assistance.
  • Value for money: Some VPNs that lack an Android TV app are actually more expensive than the best VPNs for Android TV. It helps that we provide discount coupons for the VPNs listed in this post. Better still, all of them even come with a free trial or a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days, so you can try them out risk-free and request a refund if unsatisfied.

Looking for the above is part of our VPN testing methodology. This involves testing each VPN extensively for ourselves in order to find out more about its speed, security, streaming, and more.

How to set up a VPN on Android TV Box

It’s simple to download and set up your VPN app, but if you’re not sure how to get started, just follow our simple step-by-step instructions below.

Here’s how to set up a VPN on Android TV Box:

  1. Choose an appropriate VPN provider, we recommend NordVPN.
  2. Navigate to the Google Play Store on your device.
  3. Find the app for your chosen VPN provider.
  4. Download the VPN app to your device.
  5. Open the app and select any server, or choose the relevant country if you are trying to access region-specific content.
  6. Wait for the connection to be established, and you’re good to go!

How to manually set up a VPN on an Android TV box

You don’t have to worry if you can’t access the app store on your device interface. Android also allows you to manually install and configure a VPN. Below, we’ll explain how to do this step-by-step.

How to install an APK file manually on Android TV Box

Essentially, the app store is just a more natural way to find and install APK files. If you find the relevant file somewhere else and transfer it to your device, it will be installed in exactly the same way. Bypassing the app store in this way is called “sideloading”. First, go to your VPN provider’s website. On the page where you select your platform, look for a direct link to the APK file under the Android heading. Tap it to begin the download.

android allow unknown sources

Before you can install the software, you’ll have to enable installation from unauthorized sources. This feature is intended to protect you from potentially sketchy apps, but since we know that this one is safe, there’s no risk. Go to your Settings menu and select the Lock screen and security option. About halfway down the page, you’ll see the Unknown sources setting — tap it to turn it on.

Next, open your device’s file manager app. Navigate to the downloads folder and click on the APK file you just downloaded. After being asked to confirm, the VPN app will begin to install, after which you can use it.

Using Android’s built-in VPN settings

Begin by going to your Settings menu. Now, depending on which version of Android you’re running, the following menu options may be phrased slightly differently, but it’s usually fairly easy to tell which you need. In my case, I tapped the More option under the Wireless and networks heading, then chose the VPN option.

Tap the + icon in the top-right of the screen. If you haven’t set up a lock screen PIN or password, you’ll be prompted to do this now. Once that’s taken care of, give your VPN connection a name (in this case, I’ve used “IPVanish” but you might want to name it based on the location of the server you’re connecting to).

ipvanish android setup

The next step is to enter your VPN’s details. This differs from one provider to another, but the relevant information is usually available on the website under their Android setup guide. For streaming video, IPVanish recommends using PPTP, so select that from the list. Next, you’ll need to enter the address of the server location you’d like to connect to. Again, you’ll find these on your provider’s site. If you’re struggling to locate the server address list, consider looking at the Linux setup guides since this step is required on that platform as well.

Finally, enter your login details in the boxes at the bottom and hit Save. If you’d prefer not to log in manually every time, check the Always-on VPN option first. From here, just tap the connection, and if everything has worked, you’ll be connected to the server of your choosing. You can verify that your VPN is working by using an IP address checker to see what region your IP address is linked to.

How to sideload a VPN on an Android TV Box

If your VPN doesn’t already have an app in the Google Play Store, you can sideload it the same way you would any other app:

  1. First, go into Android TV’s settings menu and enable the installation of apps from unknown sources. You’ll find this under Security & Restrictions
  2. Find the .APK file of the app you’d like to sideload. 
  3. Upload this to your preferred cloud storage platform.
  4. Create a shareable URL link for this file and enter it into your Android TV’s file explorer app. 
  5. You should now be given the option to download and install the .APK file. Once installed, you should be able to connect as normal.

Using a VPN with an Android TV Box: FAQs

Can I use a free VPN with an Android TV box?

While there are free VPN services available, we advise against using them for several reasons. Firstly, they’re far slower than the VPNs recommended above. Usually, you’ll find it takes a long time just to check your email when connected, let alone stream HD video.

Secondly, you have to consider how these VPN providers are making their money. If they’re particularly unscrupulous, nothing is stopping them from displaying ads on every site you visit or selling your internet history to third parties. Primarily, people connect to VPNs to keep their browsing private, but if you use a free VPN, there’s a chance you’re actually more exposed than ever.

Finally, with a free VPN, you open your system up to all kinds of threats. These could be as simple as a VPN client that installs malware on your computer or as advanced as using your system as part of a botnet. To be safe, we’d recommend sticking to trusted, reputable VPN services with well-detailed online privacy policies.

Can I connect a VPN via my smart TV or can it only be done on a computer?

This really depends on which app store your TV can access, as well as how in-depth its network configuration settings are. If you can access the Google Play Store, it’s possible you can just install a VPN app directly. Failing this, it’s possible to install a VPN on your home router, which will automatically protect every device on your network.

Is there a VPN crack for Android TV?

First, never install cracks, hacks, or unofficial firmware patches for Android TV. In most cases, these are simply unnecessary, and some can permanently damage your system. Second, many major VPN providers have apps on the Google Play Store, so you can just install them directly without the need for any manual configuration.

Will a VPN slow my streaming through my Android TV Box?

Every VPN will slow your internet speeds to some extent, although generally, you can expect around a 30% reduction. Considering HD live streaming only requires around 8 Mbps download speeds, you shouldn’t have any issues as long as your base speed is 12 Mbps or higher. 

Obviously, there are several other factors that can impact your VPN’s speeds. For instance, you’ll usually notice higher speeds when using a server near your actual location, rather than one on the other side of the world. Similarly, you may experience some degree of slowdown during peak times, especially if your chosen provider has a relatively small network.

Is it legal to use a VPN with an Android TV Box?

VPNs are entirely legal tools used mostly for privacy. They’re used all over the world by all kinds of people and businesses for entirely legitimate reasons. As such, there’s no reason you’d get into any trouble simply for using a VPN (although there are a handful of countries with restrictions on the services you can use). The worst that’s likely to happen is you’ll be asked to disconnect from the VPN if your chosen streaming platform realizes you’re using one.

Does a VPN block Chromecast?

Yes, a VPN can block Chromecast from working. However, if you install a VPN on your home router, it will still work. This is because the VPN will be installed on the router itself and not on your individual devices.

This means all your devices will be on the same network, and thus Chromecast will work.

Can my ISP see if I'm using a VPN on my Android TV box?

If your VPN provider uses high-level encryption and offers DNS leak protection, it’s unlikely that your ISP will see that you’re using a VPN on your Android TV box.

Can I use these VPNs on other devices?

Every VPN is different, and not all of them work on every platform. However, all of the providers above offer well-designed, easy-to-use apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. Some even have command-line based apps for Linux (although others have to be manually configured). 

Remember: even if your chosen provider doesn’t have an app for one of your devices, you can still protect it by installing the VPN directly on your router. This also lets you get around simultaneous connection limits, since routers only count as one connection, even if there are a hundred devices on the network.

See also:

Best VPNs for Kodi

How to install a VPN on Kodi