VPN for VR: Do you need to use one?

While a VPN for VR isn’t a must-have, it can definitely help in certain situations. Whether you want to access region-locked content, protect your IP in multiplayer and remote work, or stay safer on public Wi-Fi, a VPN for VR gives you more control over your connection.

This guide covers when and why to use a VPN for VR headsets, including specific tips for the Quest 2, Quest 3, and Apple Vision Pro. You’ll also learn how to install a VPN on each device, some useful troubleshooting tips, and which VPNs are best for VR use.

Can you use a VPN for VR?

You can use a VPN for VR, but it depends on your headset. Some, like the Meta Quest, don’t support VPN apps directly, so you’ll need to share a connection from your PC or set it up on your router. That way, the headset routes traffic through the VPN without an extra app.

Of course, if you don’t want to mess with your router or keep your PC on while playing, you can try sideloading a VPN app onto the headset. Some Android VPNs work this way, but the interface may be hard to use in VR, and not all traffic will go through the tunnel. It’s doable, but not always reliable.

Also keep in mind that VPNs can slightly raise latency, which matters more in VR. To keep things smooth, go with a fast VPN with servers close to your real location.

Why do you need a VPN for VR headsets?

No matter the method, using a VPN on VR helps when you want access to region-locked content, safer public Wi-Fi, or protection in online games and during remote work, among other benefits. More details below.

Avoid regional blocks

VPNs help you avoid regional blocks by routing traffic from your VR headset through a different country. Basically, you get a different IP address depending on the server you connect to, and online services see that location instead of your real one.

That way, you can access VR games, videos, or apps that aren’t available where you live. It’s useful when you travel, too, since you can still reach your home library no matter where you are. This works on both standalone headsets and when streaming from your PC.

Secure your online traffic

A VPN encrypts your data so others can’t easily see what you’re doing online. That matters more in VR than you’d think—especially when you’re using public Wi-Fi, downloading apps, or logging into accounts through your headset. Here’s where it helps most:

• Prevent ISP data logging: Your internet provider can see what you access without a VPN. Encrypting your traffic keeps that info private.
• Stay safe on public Wi-Fi: Open networks like those at hotels can expose your data. A VPN protects it, so no one on the same Wi-Fi can use packet sniffers or other tools to grab your info.
• Keep work apps private in VR sessions: If you’re joining virtual meetings or work platforms, a VPN keeps your activity and files more secure.

Bypass ISP bandwidth throttling

Some internet providers slow you down during certain activities, like streaming or gaming. VPNs hide what you’re doing, so your ISP can’t tell if you’re using VR, watching videos, or playing online, which helps keep your connection fast and stable.

You’ll notice this most when your speeds suddenly drop at night or during busy hours. If that’s your usual issue, routing traffic through a VPN server may stop the slowdown. It won’t fix a bad internet plan, but it helps if bandwidth throttling is the real problem.

Hide your real IP in multiplayer games

When you join VR multiplayer games, your real IP can reveal your location or make you a target for DDoS attacks. A VPN hides that information behind its own server, giving you a safe barrier between your headset and the rest of the players online.

You’ll still connect normally, but attackers won’t see where you’re really coming from. That’s especially useful in competitive games or public lobbies where random players can be unpredictable. It’s a simple way to keep your sessions private and less stressful.

Fix potential routing issues

Sometimes, your connection takes an inefficient route to game servers, especially if your ISP has weird peering or network paths. You won’t always notice this, but if certain games stutter or refuse to connect, bad routing could be why.

A VPN can give you a better route by connecting through a different server first, which might cut down ping or fix weird connection drops. It’s not a guaranteed fix, but it’s a quick thing to try when nothing else works.

Why use a VPN for Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3?

There are several solid reasons to use a VPN for Quest devices, such as:

• Add privacy in online lobbies: A VPN hides your IP when you play or chat in VR, making it harder for others to figure out where you’re connecting from.
• Use your subscriptions abroad: Some VR services may not be available outside your location. A VPN for Quest 2 or Quest 3 lets you connect to a server in your home country and use them as usual.
• Cut down outside tracking: The Quest sends device data to Meta, and a VPN can’t stop that. It can, however, block outside sites from linking your activity to your IP.

We explain how to set up a VPN on Meta Quest in our full guide, so follow the link.

Why use a VPN on the Apple Vision Pro?

While Apple tends to be more privacy-focused than others, there are still valid uses for a VPN for Apple Vision Pro, including:

• Protect your traffic on Vision Pro: A VPN adds a private layer between the headset and the internet, so your ISP or other third parties can’t easily see what you access while you stream, browse, or work.
• Hide your real location: Changing your IP helps you stay more private online and makes it harder for sites or services to pinpoint where you connect from.
• Keep subscriptions working while abroad: Traveling with Vision Pro? A VPN lets you use apps and services like you’re still at home.
• Stay safer on public networks: If you’re working on hotel or café Wi-Fi, a VPN keeps others on the same network from seeing what you’re doing.

Using a VPN on the Apple Vision Pro is as easy as installing it from the App Store. We’ll go over the steps in a later section.

How to use a VPN for your VR headset

Setting up a VPN on your VR headset is a tad more complex than just installing the provider’s app on your PC or smartphone. Here are three different ways you can go about it.

Install a VPN on your router

The best approach to get the benefits of a VPN for VR is to set one up on your router. This will secure all your connected home devices, VR headset included. It takes a bit of technical know-how, but we have a few easy guides for the most popular router brands below:

• Guide to setting up a VPN on your Linksys router
• How to set up a VPN on a Netgear router
• Guide to setting up a VPN on ASUS router
• Guide to setting up a VPN on your TP-Link router

Once you reconnect your VR headset to your Wi-Fi network, it should use the location settings you’ve chosen during setup.

Use your PC as a VPN hotspot

Not all routers allow VPN connections, in which case you’ll have to share one from your Windows/Mac PC. Here’s how to do so:

Windows 11

1. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon on the bottom right, then choose Network and Internet settings.
2. Toggle on the Mobile hotspot option.
3. Next, click the Start menu button, then look up and click View network connections.
4. Find and right-click your VPN’s virtual network adapter (e.g., “TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter”).
5. Click Properties, then Sharing.
6. Check the box that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.” Then press OK.
7. Launch your VPN, then connect to a server of your choice. The closer the server, the faster your connection.
8. Finally, connect your VR headset to the VPN-enabled Wi-Fi network, and you’re set!

macOS

1. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your Mac to your router. You might need a USB adapter if there’s no Ethernet port on your Mac.
2. Click the Apple icon and select System Preferences…
3. Select Sharing at the bottom of the menu.
4. Head to Internet Sharing.
5. Click the Share your connection from drop-down and select the Ethernet port.
6. Now, click To computers using and check the Wi-Fi option.
7. Afterwards, check the Internet Sharing box.
8. Set a name and password for your new connection, and click OK.
9. You’ll get a prompt asking if you want to turn on internet sharing. Click Start.
10. Connect to a VPN server on your Mac, then connect your VR headset to the network you named in step 8. All done!

Sideload a VPN app on your VR headset

You can sideload third-party apps, including VPNs, onto certain Android-based VR gadgets. Essentially, this means installing apps that aren’t available on the official headset store. As a result, this method is not guaranteed to work.

Now, some models (such as Pico) let you drag-and-drop third-party APKs from your PC into a folder on your VR device—say, the Downloads folder—then install it via the headset’s built-in file/APK manager. You can then open the VPN, log in, and connect as usual.

Others, like the Meta Quest, may require a separate sideloader app like SideQuest. More info on the topic in the next section.

How to use a VPN for the Quest 2 and 3

Besides connecting through a VPN-enabled router or sharing a VPN connection from your PC, you can also sideload a VPN app onto the headset. Below, we’ll walk you through how to install a VPN on the Quest 2 and 3 using SideQuest:

1. Register for a Meta developer account by following this link and clicking Sign Up at the bottom. You can use the same account you set up your Meta Quest with.
2. You may be asked to verify your account with a payment method or phone number.
3. Once you finish verification, click Create Organization.
4. Enter a name for your new organization (any will do) and hit Submit.
5. Review the Developer Non-Disclosure Agreement, select I Agree, and click Submit.
6. Turn your Quest headset on and open the Meta Horizon app on Android or iOS.
7. Tap the three lines on the top left (Menu). From here, tap Devices, select your headset, then hit Headset settings > Developer Mode to enable it. Ensure the Quest is linked to your phone (indicated by a green circle), otherwise the settings will be greyed out.
8. Download and install the SideQuest app on your computer.
9. Connect your VR headset to your PC via USB-C.
10. Load SideQuest, then click I’ve plugged it in – find it! Next, select your headset and click Connect.
11. Inside the headset, click Always allow from this computer.
12. Get the VPN APK file from your provider’s website, or ask customer support if they can send it if there’s no direct download.
13. In SideQuest, click Install APK from folder on computer on the top right. The button looks like a square with a downward-pointing arrow.
14. Navigate to where you downloaded the VPN APK, select it, and click Open.
15. Through your headset, go to Library > Unknown Sources, select the VPN’s APK file, and connect to a server.

What to check if your VPN won’t install or work on Meta Quest

Sideloading a VPN on Meta Quest is quite the endeavor, so no worries if something goes wrong along the way. Here are some things to check:

• Your USB cable: The cable may be faulty, or you may be using a USB-C charge-only cable. Ensure you’re using a USB-C data cable and try it with other devices to rule out any defects.
• The USB port: If the cable is fine but you never get the USB debugging prompt, the port on either your PC or the Quest may be to blame. Try another port on your PC and check the Quest’s port for dust or a loose connection.
• The SideQuest app: If you’re missing the “Install APK from folder on computer” button, make sure you’re using the SideQuest Desktop App, not the Web Installer.
• File location on your PC: If the APK is in a protected folder, SideQuest might not read it. Moving it to Desktop or Downloads helps.
• Your Quest account: Use the account on which you enabled Developer Mode. It’s usually the one you originally set up the headset with, but double-check to make sure you’re on the right profile.
• Developer Mode enabled: Even if Dev mode is on in the Meta Horizon app on your phone, toggle it off and on again to be sure.
• Your VPN provider: Some VPNs, like NordVPN, use a login system that opens a browser window, which doesn’t work properly on Quest. If the app won’t launch or let you sign in, try a provider with a simpler login, like Surfshark or Proton VPN.
• The VPN server: Try switching to another server, since the one you picked might be having issues or sending your traffic through a bad route that breaks the connection. A nearby or less crowded server usually fixes it.

How to install a VPN on the Apple Vision Pro

Thankfully, using a VPN for VR on Apple devices is pretty straightforward. Here’s what to do:

1. Subscribe to a reliable VR VPN. We recommend NordVPN for its sizable worldwide network and the best performance.
2. Go to the App Store on the Apple Vision Pro and install the app.
3. Launch the VPN and log in with your credentials.
4. Tap Allow when prompted.
5. Connect to the VPN server you prefer, though we suggest one close to your physical location.

What’s the best VPN for VR headsets?

Wondering which VPN works best for VR? These providers offer steady speeds, simple setup options, and solid performance whether you stream, play, or browse in your headset. Here are our top picks:

• NordVPN — Best overall VPN for VR
• Surfshark — Best affordable VR VPN
• Proton VPN — Strong focus on privacy for VR use
• ExpressVPN — Easy setup and quick servers for VR streaming
• IPVanish — Good value with fast, reliable connections

VPN for VR FAQs