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It is not always possible to install VPN software directly onto a Smart TV. However, if your Smart TV can access the Google Play Store (Android Smart TVs can) you can install the VPN app (for your provider) directly onto your smart TV. This is the best way to connect your smart TV, so use this method if you can. Please remember that not every Smart TV can do this, so you will need to check with your manufacturer.
If your SmartTV can access Google play, follows these steps:
I was able to watch Netflix on my Samsung Smart TV until about a few days ago. It will uninstall all apps and re-install the German ones (No Netflix).
If you have an Android TV, then you can follow the steps below to install your Android TV VPN.
- purchase a VPN subscription, we recommend the 5 best VPNs for Smart TV's at the bottom of this article.
- Download the software and install the Android client (.APK file) onto your Android smart TV.
- Log in using your credentials from when you subscribed.
- Run the app on your Smart TV and connect to a server.
That is it: you are now pretending to be in a different country and can access content from that region! Your privacy is also protected thanks to the VPN's encryption.
Is the big rematch between Ruiz and Joshua not available in your country?
If you're afraid you'll miss the most anticipated boxing match of 2020, simply follow ProPrivacy's guide on how to watch the Ruiz vs Joshua rematch with a VPN and you'll be able to witness Anthony Joshua attempt to reclaim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles from world champion Andy Ruiz in this high-stakes face-off.
Connecting Via a PC or Laptop
Most Smart TV owners choose to connect their TV to their computer via an ethernet cable. This allows them to share their PC's internet connection (more on this later). This is an effective way of using a VPN to unblock restricted content on a Smart TV. For example, You can use a VPN to unblock Youtube videos restricted in your country and to unblock streaming services blocked/restricted in your country. Any Smart TV that does not allow Apps to be installed directly will need to use this method (or a VPN router).
Sharing a VPN Connection in Windows
- Make sure your computer is connected to your VPN service. If you haven't subscribed to a VPN yet, - check out our 5 best VPNs for Smart TV article. We recommend NordVPN because it has everything you need to stream more content in HD on a smart TV.
- Connect your SmartTV to the PC using an Ethernet cable.
- Open the Network and Sharing Centre on the PC (Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center) and click ‘Change adapter settings.'
- Find your VPN connection. OpenVPN connections usually aren’t clearly labeled, so look for one with the description ‘TAP-Win32 Adaptor V9′ (or similar). Right-click on it and select ‘Properties’ from the drop-down.
- Select the ‘Sharing’ tab and check the ‘Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection’ box. Then, from the drop-down menu choose ’Local Area Connection’ (if you have multiple Ethernet ports on your computer, then make sure you select the one you have connected your SmartTV to), then click ‘OK'.
- Restart your SmartTV and computer and it should be working correctly.
Sharing a VPN Connection in OSX (PPTP or L2TP)
Sharing your connection on OSX is a bit more complicated if you wish to set up OpenVPN, but, this TunnelBlick tutorial will show you how. We will show you how to set it up using PPTP or L2TP and the built-in VPN client.
- Sign up for a VPN service and set it up according to the provider’s instructions. We recommend NordVPN because it has everything you need to stream more content in HD on a smart TV.
- With the SmartTV switched off, connect it to a USB port on your Mac using the Ethernet cable and adapter.
- In OSX open System Preferences (Apple icon at the top right of the screen -> System Preferences) and click on ‘Sharing’.
- a) Pull down the ‘Sharing your connection from’ menu and select your VPN connection. b) In the ‘To computers using’ box, check ‘USB Ethernet’. c) Check ‘Internet Sharing’, and a pop-up box will appear. Click ‘Start,’ and (d) ‘Internet Sharing: On’ will show green to let you know that everything is working ok.
- Reboot your SmartTV.
VPN Router Method
Some people prefer to use a VPN that is installed on a flashed router. This means that all the devices in their home - including their Smart TV - are assisted by the VPN connection. This is an extremely easy method of connecting a Smart TV to a VPN service (and all the other devices in your home).
While it is true that you can flash a router yourself (if it is compatible), this is usually only undertaken by people who are pretty techy. This is because flashing a router with DD-WRT firmware (or any other third party router firmware) can 'brick' the device (lock it up making it unusable).
If you have a low level of technical know-how flashing your router probably isn’t for you. Luckily there are companies out there that offer prepaid and pre-flashed routers, which allow a simple plug-and-play setup – Flashrouters is a great example.
Some VPN services (NordVPN , for example, sell pre-flashed routers themselves).
Pre-flashed routers
One significant advantage of using a flashed router is that all your internet-connected devices (including games consoles, iPhone and Android phones, and of course, your SmartTV) will benefit from being connected to VPN when they connect through the router.
Most VPNs can be purchased pre-flashed onto a router at the third-party vendor Flashrouters . There are two main types of flashed routers: DD-WRT and Tomato. DD-WRT is the most popular option because it is the most customizable type of flashed router. Please click on the links to get more detailed information on these types of routers.
The advantage of using a flashed router is that it automatically uses the VPN service no matter what device you connect to your WiFi network. It can also help with reducing the number of network cables you use and make it so that you don’t have to play around with your computer network settings. It also doesn’t matter if your computer isn’t close to your SmartTV.
DD-WRT router
You can find a full list of compatible routers can be found on the DD-WRT website, where you can also find information about installing and configuring DD-WRT. And click these links for guides about setting up PPTP and OpenVPN.
Tomato router
A full list of compatible routers can be found on the tomato router website, they also have information on installing and configuring Tomato, and a guide to setting up OpenVPN.
5 Best VPNs for Smart TV users
Title image credit: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com
Large brand with very good value, and a budget price
The fastest VPN we test, unblocks everything, with amazing service all round
Longtime top ranked VPN, with great price and speeds
One of the cheapest VPNs out there, but still a good service
- The Netflix app on some Samsung TVs from 2010 and 2011 won’t work starting on December 1.
- Samsung says that specific models from 2010 and 2011 with the letter „C“ or „D“ after the screen size number in the model code will be affected.
- You can check your TV’s model code either in its menus, or by checking the sticker on the back of the TV.
Starting on December 1 2019, the Netflix app on certain Samsung smart TVs will stop working.
Samsung’s support page states that only some older models will no longer support the Netflix app due to „technical limitations.“
Specifically, Samsung says that some „2010 and 2011 models, with C or D after the screen size in the model code,“ will be affected.
Assuming you didn’t memorize your TV’s model code, there’s an easy way way to check it. According to Samsung, you can try checking through your smart TV’s on-screen menus by heading to Menu -> Support -> Contact Samsung, where you might see your TV’s model code.
If your smart TV is so old that it doesn’t have that menu option, you’ll have to check for a sticker on the back of the TV, toward the right side.
For either option, you’re looking for either a „C“ or a „D“ after the screen size number in the model code. The screen size is usually in the first half of the numbers and letters of the model code. If you have a 50-inch TV, it’ll say „XX50CXXXX“ or „XX50DXXXX.“
If you have to see the dreaded „C“ or „D“ in your TV’s model code, you don’t necessarily need to buy a new TV. You can still get an inexpensive streaming stick that plugs into an HDMI port, like a Google Chromecast, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV that will gladly run the Netflix app for you. Or, if you have a PS4 or Xbox One, you can stream Netflix by downloading the app.