Everything You Need to Know About VPN for Apple TV

The video content streaming market is booming in America and Europe. This is evident with the rate at which people embrace the small and powerful micro-console box which streams video contents and show on TV screens with the aid of internet connection. The Apple TV is just one of the powerful TV boxes that can transmit to TV what it streams from paid and free channels for viewers in supported counties using the HDMI cable. Since 2007, Apple has sold about 25 million Apple TV across all supported countries. One thing that is common and of top priority to these users is the love for entertainment derived from various movies, television shows, sports and other video documentaries on whatever sector of human life. All these are viewed by users of the Apple TV pre-installed channels based on the region or country they are located. The fun the Apple TV brings to millions of homes in about 10 countries of the world where it is fully supported is amazing and truly incredible. However, the sad reality is that the Apple TV based on the choice of different streaming channels have a restriction in place. The restriction is location dependent or geo-based and it conditions whatever video content users from America or any other supported countries watch and enjoy. Many users would have loved to have access to all contents from their country and even from other countries. It is important to know that Android, iPhone and Window users face similar restrictions on video content applications and have found a way around it using the virtual private network called VPN. The question from most Apple TV users is ‘Can VPN work for my Apple TV?’ Well, you will soon find out the answer to the question as you continue with this article.

Can Apple TV use with VPN?

Most users of different phone and mobile gadgets including personal laptops and desktop computers are used to connecting and using their device with a VPN provider to create a secured and private cyber atmosphere. However, users of Apple TV may be wary of how to go about connecting a VPN to their streaming TV box. The truth is, you can connect and use your Apple TV with a VPN. Connecting it with a VPN is very possible and it provides you with a lot of benefits.

Benefits of using a VPN with Apple TV

1. Access to all Video Contents

 The reason for using VPN for Apple TV is not far-fetched as many users have come to terms with the unfortunate reality of restrictions to the contents available for viewers pertaining to the country they live in. This is called geo-restriction. This restriction cut short the fun, entertainment and obvious amusements that users seek to enjoy and relish from the TV streaming box. The VPN is a virtual private network which provides an encrypted internet connection to secure and protect you and for Apple TV users, to unblock every blockages and restrictions. Imagine an Apple TV with the capacity and ability to stream all your favorite shows, movies, documentaries and sports video contents irrespective of whether such contents are allowed for viewers in your country. That is the first benefit you get from using a VPN for Apple TV.

2. Access from Unsupported Countries

It is a fact known to everyone that Apple TV does not work in every country of the globe. This is another kind of restriction because it means you do not have access to any video content from the console streaming box when you are away from the supported list of countries. Many users would love to break this and be absolutely free to enjoy their Apple TV anywhere and at any time rather than buying different types of streaming TV boxes. Yes! You can be absolutely free to enjoy unlimited and unrestricted video contents all on your single Apple TV with the power of the virtual connection from a reliable VPN service provider. You get to access all contents from supported countries with the power of location servers which the VPN provides. The VPN can change your internet connection proxies to any of the countries to provide you the access you would normally have enjoyed back home. Tourists, travelers and researchers traveling to catch fun or for academic works can now be at anywhere and still enjoy the perfect and flawless streaming TV services. With these mouth-watering and exciting benefits, many users who already taught there is no solution to the restriction debacle would be in haste to know how to use a VPN for Apple TV and get it done right away. No problem, you are going to learn the simplest ways to do that in a moment. The two major ways to use your Apple TV with a VPN is based on your router. A router (physical router ) is the device that gives you the internet connection via Wi-Fi network that can be used by an Apple TV. A router (Virtual router) can also be in form of your mobile phone or iPad or personal computer that shares its own internet with other devices such as Apple TV. Either ways, the main focus is to tweak your router firmware to get an encrypted connection of the virtual private network.

How to use VPN for Apple TV on a Router

This is all about how to go about making your router work as a source of VPN connection for your Apple TV which is not made to allow VPN connections. You will learn how to use a physical router and virtual router for a VPN connection with Apple TV.

1. Physical Router

The physical router is a device made to create a wireless internet connection for phones, gadgets, laptops and even streaming TV boxes like Apple TV and Kodi to use. The physical routers are made by the manufacturing companies to provide different and varying functions as regards the number of devices they can serve amidst other features. Some of these physical routers allow and support VPN connections while some do not. You have to do some serious works here. Your router dashboard will show you if your router model supports VPN connection or not. Try different ways to get to your router dashboard using manufacturers or internet service provider credentials from the manual or online. You may also contact your internet provider. If your router model is not supportive of VPN connection, you can as well change its firmware to another that supports VPN or buy a pre-flashed router because of the uncertainty in this for people with little technology knowledge. Several virtual private network providers make available pre-flashed routers that already have the VPN configuration done and ready to give you the perfect virtual network you so desire to gain unlimited freedom. After this, all you need do is to connect your Apple TV with the VPN connection the router is transmitting and you are set to bypass any form of limitation and restriction to streaming and video contents.

2. Virtual Router

 This is a simpler and easier type of creating VPN connection for your Apple TV. All you need do is to make use of the hotspot features on your laptop. Phones, iPads, and laptops are made to support virtual private network connections as a way to secure them against cyber attacks on different websites and applications. Just connect your laptop to your preferred VPN provider and once you are done, create a secured hotspot connection that can be shared with your Apple TV. This way, the VPN connection on your mobile device will be used on the Apple TV to ensure you break loose of all annoying restrictions.

3. Other Option

 The other option you can use to unblock the geographical and demographic restriction on your Apple TV is using the domain name system popularly known as DNS. Many websites and applications get to know your browsing location using the DNS requests sent to their DNS server. Thus, your Apple TV will automatically send the request to the internet service provider you subscribe to in your country. But forcing and making sure your Apple TV sends DNA requests to a server in another country will unblock the limitation on your TV. Note that the DNS option is not a VPN that can provide an encrypted connection for your device. You can only use it to bypass location-based limitations. To use it, get a good DNS provider and configure your Apple TV box. For Apple TV, follow the steps below while users of lower models are to note that the configuration is similar to theirs also.

1. From the main menu, click on ‘Settings’ and navigate to ‘Network’
2. The network configuration will come up and you then select ‘Configure DNS’ from which you select ‘Manual’
3. Enter the DNS address and other details as provided by your DNS server provider
4. Select ‘Done’ and Restart you Apple TV to save the new settings.

The DNS option works perfectly to unblock good contents on the Apple TV like Netflix but it cannot serve as a VPN because it does not provide encryption for its connections.

Is Apple TV VPN Safe?

Many being knowledgeable about the fact that Apple TV is not made to support VPN connection, have expressed fear and worry over the safety of their streaming device. The answer is that your device is very safe with VPN connections. All you need to do is to take some precautions seriously and you are definitely safe. Precaution include warning against the use of free VPN providers. One of the risks of using the virtual private network connection is using a free service from very unreliable providers. These free VPN providers have their applications on the iOS store, Android Play store and even on Windows store. Using them will expose you as you will be giving your internet activities directly to people that will sell them to people of questionable characters. Make sure you use a paid and recognised VPN service provider.                            

Best VPN for Apple TV

The paid VPN service providers are safe for your Apple TV but you there are some indices that you need to watch out for so as to pick and subscribe to the perfect VPN provider. These indices include speed and unlimited bandwidth for high definition streaming, multiple server locations, reliable and strong privacy and safety policies among others.

1. Multiple Server Location

 If your aim is to get the freedom that normal internet connection cannot give you, then you must look for a VPN connection that has servers in all the countries supported by Apple TV. This will make you switch to the servers to watch and access the contents exclusively reserved for viewers in such different locations.

2. High Speed and Unlimited Bandwidth

The major requirement from any VPN service that will be suitable and appropriate for video streaming devices like Apple TV is high speed and ability to give unlimited bandwidths. Some VPN providers give low speed while some do not have unlimited bandwidth and it has to buffer every now and then to continue streaming. Be sure you are subscribing to a VPN service that gives very high internet speed and has unlimited bandwidth to enjoy the unrestricted access to every contents and shows on every Apple TV supported countries.

3. Strong Privacy Policies and Responsive Customer Support

The VPN of your choice must have a record of very strong protection and privacy of data and information concerning your online activities. They must also have very responsive and helpful customer support to resolve every problem of installation and connection.

4. Pre-configured VPN Router

 This is like a bonus and you must not miss it. If any VPN provider comes with a pre-configured physical router alongside the good factors enumerated above, then you should consider subscribing to that service. The pre-configured router makes it very easy for you to have a VPN connection on your Apple TV.