VPN on TV: Apps, Router VPNs and Smart DNS

Which TVs can install a VPN app?

Start with the TV’s operating system, not just the brand on the bezel. Android TV and Google TV devices, Fire TV devices and Apple TV running tvOS 17 or later can have native VPN apps, subject to app and device availability. Samsung TVs running Tizen and LG TVs running webOS generally do not support VPN apps, so you will usually need to configure the network another way.

• Android TV or Google TV: Look for the app in the Google Play Store on the TV. Availability can vary by model, region and Play Store compatibility.
• Fire TV: Check the Amazon Appstore on the device first. Store availability is not identical across every model or generation.
• Apple TV: Native third-party VPN apps arrived with tvOS 17. Check your Apple TV’s software version and Apple’s current compatibility requirements.
• Samsung or LG smart TV: Plan on a router VPN or Smart DNS rather than expecting a native app.

The comparison above is filtered to VPNs with an app for at least one of Android TV, Fire TV or Apple TV. That is a platform category, not a promise that every listed plan supports all three systems. The rows do not specify which TV platform each individual plan covers, so check the app listing or provider support page before you subscribe.

Apple TV: install the tvOS app

If your Apple TV can run tvOS 17 or later, search the App Store on the device for a VPN app and install it like any other tvOS app. Sign in using the method offered by the app. Some apps let you scan a QR code with your phone, which avoids typing account details with the remote. Once connected, tvOS can display a “VPN App Connected” alert.

Check the current tvOS requirements for your exact Apple TV before relying on this route; model support changes as software versions advance. If the App Store does not show the app, verify both your operating-system version and the app’s regional availability. An older device that cannot run a supported app may need a VPN configured on the router instead.

There is a limitation to weigh if you want the app-based setup for privacy-sensitive viewing. One reported limitation of native tvOS VPN apps is that they cannot use a traditional system-level kill switch. An app may try to reconnect after a dropped connection, but that is not the same as locking down all Apple TV traffic if the VPN disconnects. Check the app’s current behaviour and do not assume an automatic reconnect provides system-wide protection.

Android TV, Google TV and Fire TV installation

On Android TV or Google TV, open the Play Store on the device, find the app and install it. Sign in, choose a server location and connect before opening your streaming app. If you cannot find the VPN in the TV’s store, first check that your device and region are supported. Some Android TV users sideload an APK, but that takes more care than a store install: only use a source you trust, because an APK from an unknown site can be modified or unsafe.

For Fire TV, search the Amazon Appstore and install the app if it is available. If it is missing, a common sideloading route uses the Downloader app. You may need to enable unknown-source installs and ADB debugging under Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options. Menu names can differ by Fire TV version. Sideloading means you are installing software outside the normal store process, so confirm the APK’s source and the exact installation instructions before proceeding. If you would rather avoid that risk or extra setup, compare another supported route rather than forcing an unofficial install.

After connecting, play a short video and test the other TV functions you use. If the app offers split tunnelling, check whether it can leave selected traffic outside the VPN; availability and controls vary by app and device. This can help when you want streaming traffic routed through the VPN but need a local service to remain reachable.

Samsung and LG TVs: router VPN or Smart DNS?

For a Samsung Tizen or LG webOS TV that cannot run a VPN app, the main choices are a VPN on your router or Smart DNS. A router VPN encrypts traffic as it leaves your home network and can cover the TV without installing anything on it. It can also cover other devices on that network. The trade-off is setup: you need a compatible router, and its processor affects the speed it can sustain while encrypting traffic.

Smart DNS changes which DNS servers your TV uses. It does not encrypt the TV’s internet traffic and does not add real privacy; your internet provider can still see what is being streamed. Its advantage is speed: because it handles DNS lookups rather than encrypting all traffic, it generally adds less overhead. It can be simpler to configure on a TV, but streaming services may block or flag Smart DNS, and providers can change or withdraw the feature. Confirm that it is currently offered before choosing a VPN plan on that basis.

Choose a router VPN if encryption for the TV’s traffic matters more than the simplest setup. Choose Smart DNS only if you mainly want to change DNS routing for access or speed and accept that traffic remains unencrypted. Some setups combine Smart DNS with a router VPN, but confirm how the two features interact before configuring both. If you have a compatible router, you may also be able to put only selected devices through the VPN rather than routing the entire household through it.

Keep local services and reconnects in mind

A router VPN can send the TV’s traffic away from your home network, which may interrupt services that rely on local access. For example, a home Plex server, local IPTV source or local news app might stop working while the TV is routed through a VPN. If your router supports split tunnelling, use it to exclude the TV or particular destinations where possible. Otherwise, a separate network for VPN-routed devices can keep local devices on their usual connection.

Test local playback and streaming after changing the router settings, not only the VPN connection itself. If your TV loses access to a home media server, check whether the router offers a local-network bypass or device-level routing rule. Native apps can also disconnect, so confirm whether the app reconnects automatically and what happens to the device’s connection during a drop. Smart DNS has no VPN tunnel to reconnect, but its settings may need updating if the provider changes its service.

Choose a setup by device and priority

• Apple TV with a supported tvOS version: Try a native App Store app if you want VPN coverage on that device without changing router settings.
• Android TV or Google TV: Install from the Play Store first. Consider sideloading only if the app is unavailable and you can verify its source.
• Fire TV: Use the Amazon Appstore when possible; sideload only if you are comfortable checking the APK and enabling developer settings.
• Samsung or LG TV: Use a router VPN when encryption matters. Consider Smart DNS for DNS-based region changes when speed and simple TV setup matter more than privacy.
• TV that must reach a home server: Prefer a router configuration with device-level routing or split tunnelling, then test local access.

Our full VPN comparison covers 22 plans across 22 providers, with prices starting at $0.83 and last synced 31 October 2026. Those figures describe the full comparison, not just this TV-app filter. Before choosing a plan, confirm its app for your particular operating system and the features you need; the filter alone does not map each plan to a specific TV platform.