The late, great $30 Chromecast is no more. After hanging on as an option at Google's online store for months after the introduction of the pricier Google TV streaming box, it's gone to the great Google graveyard. But that doesn't mean there aren't countless Chromecast dongles still serving up the best streaming services, even as the the new box and a growing number of good budget-priced smart TVs now have Google TV as their default operating system.

But no matter which generation of Google streamer you're using, you'll need a VPN (virtual private network) to expand your video options beyond your home library. Fortunately, both support several native VPN apps. Here’s how to set up a VPN on Google TV or a Chromecast and why you may want to use one.

Why use a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast?

For streaming purposes, VPNs have one clear benefit: spoofing your IP address to that of a different country so that you can access geo-restricted content. If you use a VPN and connect to a different country’s server, you can access its content library on any streaming platform.

Let’s say you live in the US but want to watch some award-winning BBC documentaries on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. All BBC iPlayer content is free if you live in the UK, but blocked everywhere else. Using a VPN, you can connect to a UK VPN server and stream to your heart’s content.

VPNs also have considerable security benefits if you use them on your smartphone or PC. Any worthwhile VPN encrypts your connection to the internet so you're totally anonymous online. Purchasing a single subscription means you can use your VPN on several devices concurrently, so we recommend you shop for a flexible one that supports multiple concurrent logins.

What VPNs are available on Google TV?

Google TV doesn’t have as many VPN apps to install compared to other smart TV systems like Amazon’s Fire TV OS. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, it’s actually a blessing in disguise.

With VPNs, you want to ensure you invest in a quality and trustworthy product. There are many untested or free VPNs available that sell your data or falsify their encryption claims. Although this might not be a huge issue for streaming purposes alone, it generally poses massive security and privacy risks.

We recommend the following VPN services for Google TV and Chromecast:

• ProtonVPN

• ExpressVPN

• Surfshark

• CyberGhost

For more details on why these services top the list, check out our thorough roundup of the best VPNs.

How to set up a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast

It’s easy to use a VPN on your Google TV (and perhaps even easier on a Chromecast). Here’s a step-by-step guide for each system.

Google TV

1. Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Google TV.

2. Search for the VPN you want to install (alternatively, search for the keyword “VPN” to view your options).

3. Install the VPN.

4. Sign up (or login if you already have an account).

5. Navigate the country server list and connect.

Note that you can use your VPN on as many devices as it supports. So, once you’ve purchased a subscription, it’s wise to download it on as many platforms and devices you can to maximize your investment.

Chromecast

If you have a Chromecast, you can still enjoy the benefits of a VPN — you just need to use your smartphone or laptop in tandem with the streaming device. Here’s how to do it:

1. Install a VPN on your smartphone or laptop.

2. Make sure your Wi-Fi is enabled.

3. Turn on the VPN on your smartphone or laptop.

4. Connect your smartphone or laptop to your TV via Chromecast.

5. Begin streaming your content.

As long as your smart TV is under the same Wi-Fi as the device you’re screencasting from, you can use the VPN securely.

VPN options for other streaming platforms

Don't have Google TV? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.

• How to use a VPN on your Apple TV

• How to stream via a VPN on Roku

• How to use a VPN to stream with Fire TV

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-use-a-vpn-on-chromecast-or-google-tv-140619467.html?src=rss

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© Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

The Roku smart TV platform is an accessible way to watch your favorite streaming content in a centralized location. You can either get a Roku TV with the platform built in, or add a miniature box or dongle to an older-model TV.

One big advantage of the Roku platform is that it's always getting free software updates to keep it current, like the cool new feature that turns your TV into a virtual art museum by displaying famous paintings as a screensaver. There's one feature missing right out of the box, though — the ability to watch shows and events inaccessible in your home country.

Using a VPN is a common way to tackle this issue, but unlike Fire TV, Apple TV and other rivals, Roku systems don’t have native VPN support. But that’s not the end of the story. You can still use a VPN to access a wider range of programming with your Roku — you just need to use a workaround. We'll show you the simplest way.

The benefits of using a VPN

A VPN can change your IP address to make it look like you're getting online from a different region. When you mask your IP with a VPN, Netflix sees the VPN server's location, rather than your own. You’ll then have access to a different set of programming. For example, you need Max to stream Friends, The Big Bang Theory or Rick and Morty in the US, but they're all available on Netflix in the UK. So if you're in, say, Texas, but your VPN server is in London, Netflix will show you the British programming menu instead. 

VPNs have several other privacy and security benefits. The connection between your home device and the VPN server is encrypted, so — if everything's working properly — nobody should be able to connect you to anything you do online. That means no worries about getting banned from streaming sites for using a proxy. It also means your Internet service provider can’t see all of your browsing destinations (and sell your viewing habits to data brokers).

The easiest way to use a VPN on Roku

Although Roku doesn’t natively support VPNs, there are a few workarounds. You can, for instance, set up a VPN on your home’s router. That allows you to protect your whole network and every device that connects to it, keeping everyone in your household anonymous online. But it can be inconvenient if you have to switch your server location often, and with a few exceptions (like ExpressVPN's Aircove), it demands some technical knowledge.

Instead, we recommend a far easier method: connecting a VPN to your Roku via AirPlay or screencast. To do this, subscribe to a VPN and install it on your smartphone or laptop. Then, stream content on that device and AirPlay or screencast it to your Roku TV. The icon to do this should look like a TV with Wi-Fi rays.

Engadget

We prefer this method because it’s simpler overall than managing a VPN through your router. You can access any geo-blocked content on your smartphone or laptop first and then cast it on your smart TV.

You can make sure your Roku model is AirPlay-compatible by checking this resource on Roku’s site. If it isn’t, you can always just directly patch your phone or laptop to the TV using an HDMI cable or an appropriate dongle.

Choosing the best VPN

Using a phone or laptop as the ultimate source for your VPN-routed streams gives you a wider list of services to choose from. Although each VPN has the same basic functionalities, their prices and extra features vary. Before deciding which one is right for your needs and the devices you have, take some time to look at what each one offers and see what other users have to say.

Start by checking out our list of best VPNs. If you're looking to stream content that's only available in a specific region, check your chosen VPN's website to make sure it has a server location in that region.

VPN options for other streaming platforms

Don't have a Roku? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.

• How to stream using a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast

• How to use a VPN on your Apple TV

• How to use a VPN to stream with Fire TV

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-use-a-vpn-on-roku-130009703.html?src=rss

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© Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Amazon

Who needs cable TV anymore? Thanks to the wealth of streaming apps, you have more on-demand viewing options than ever before. And those streaming apps like Disney+, Netflix and Max are available on a wide range of hardware, too. Roku, Apple TV and Google TV (aka Chromecast) let you view thousands of movies and TV shows at the touch of a button, though we'd argue that seeing all your favorites on a big-screen TV is way better than watching it on a smaller laptop or smartphone screen. 

But there's at least one big reason to go with Amazon's Fire TV instead. Unlike archrival Roku, Amazon’s Fire TV system offers VPN apps straight through its built-in app store. That's important if you want to watch a show or movie that's otherwise unavailable in your country. Fire up a VPN, set your virtual location and you'll likely get a different set of viewing options on many streaming services — or the ability to access ones to which you otherwise didn't have access. We’ll explain the details and tell you how it works.

Choose the right VPN for your Fire TV

For starters, we’re going to assume you have a Fire TV device. If you don’t, we have good news: If your TV doesn’t already have Fire TV streaming built-in, the add-on devices are frequently on sale at Amazon for as little as $25 or less. Grab the Fire Stick 4K Max if you want a good balance of price versus performance — just make sure it’s on sale for $40 or less. (See how the Fire TV streamers compare to rivals from Roku, Google, Apple and more by checking out our list of best streaming devices.)

Once you have your Fire TV hardware set up, it’s time to choose a VPN — and that’s where the Fire TV operating system shines. A long list of VPNs, including all of our current top picks for the best VPNs, are available on the platform and they’re as easy to download and install as any of the video apps.

The Engadget-approved VPNs currently available on Fire TV include:

• ProtonVPN

• Windscribe

• ExpressVPN

• CyberGhost

• Surfshark

We’ll leave it to you to research which VPN offers the best combination of features and value for you, but a word of warning: With the exception of the first two listed above, we don’t recommend using a free VPN, as they’re notorious for collecting and selling your data to advertising networks to fund shoddily-protected servers. Note you can install as many VPNs as you’d like on Fire TV, if you’d like to cross-test them at your leisure.

Installing the VPN

Installing it is easy once you know which Fire TV VPN you want to use. Head to Find > on the main menu and simply search the name of your preferred VPN – just type “VPN” if you’d like to scroll through all of the options available. There, you can find the service you want (or are already subscribed to) and start installing. The process shouldn’t take too long. Once it’s completed, you’re ready to start using it.

Using your Fire TV VPN

Once you’ve downloaded the app, navigate to it on your Fire TV dashboard. You’ll have to enter your username and password or sign up to create an account. Some VPNs might require you to create an account on your smartphone or computer beforehand.

Once logged in, you can either click the “Connect” button on your VPN or browse the server list to choose which country you want to tunnel to. Once connected, return to the Fire TV home screen and reload your streaming platform of choice to verify if the content is different. If it is, your VPN is working and you’re ready to stream. 

VPN options for other streaming platforms

Don't have a Fire TV? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.

• How to use a VPN on your Apple TV

• How to stream via a VPN on Roku

• How to use a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-add-a-vpn-on-fire-tv-101822833.html?src=rss

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The Apple TV is one of the best streaming devices you can get right now to add Netflix, Disney+, Max and other streaming apps to your boring old TV. It costs more than the competition, but it offers a more polished experience (the screensavers are worth the price of admission) as well as more privacy protections. 

One perk of Apple TV you may not know about is its support for several native VPN apps. You can use a VPN to unlock shows, movies, and sporting events that are usually restricted to other territories. If you use a VPN to change your IP address to a different virtual location, you can fool streaming sites into changing what content they make available. Here’s how to use a VPN on your Apple TV and why you might want to install one.

How to use a VPN on Apple TV

As of the September 2023 release of the tvOS 17 software update, the Apple TV platform supports third-party VPN apps. Setting them up is easy; just follow these steps (these may vary slightly between VPNs):

1. In the Apple TV App Store, search for the VPN you want to download or search for the keyword "VPN" to see your options.

2. Download and install your chosen VPN.

3. Sign up or log in.

4. Choose a server location in a different country. 

5. Once the VPN is up and running, return to the home screen and run the streaming app of your choice. In some cases, it will give you access to a new set of programming options based on your new virtual location. 

We have a comprehensive guide on how to stream video to your TV using a VPN, which covers Apple TV installation and provides alternative methods for connecting a VPN to your Apple TV.

Why you should use a VPN on Apple TV

As previously mentioned, using a VPN on your Apple TV allows you to change your IP address to make it seem like you’re browsing from a different country. This is because the VPN server does business with the internet on your behalf, while encryption makes it impossible to see who's behind the mask. So if you’re in the US and connect to a UK VPN server, you’ll be able to access the UK Netflix content library and watch shows on UK-only services like BBC iPlayer.

VPNs are also essential security tools, although their features apply best on a smartphone or PC where you do most of your internet browsing. If you purchase a VPN subscription with your Apple TV in mind, we recommend using it on your smartphone and laptop, too. A VPN can help keep you anonymous online and protect your data from malicious parties and advertising networks. If you care about digital privacy and anonymity, it’s good practice to use a VPN across all devices with internet connectivity.

Choosing the right VPN

Apple TVs only work with a limited number of VPNs. Although that seems like a hindrance, Apple vets the VPNs it allows on its App Store, so you can feel reassured knowing they’re trustworthy options. Every one of the top picks on our best VPNs list is on the Apple TV app store.

We encourage you to do your own research when choosing a service. Although each VPN has the same basic functionalities, their price and extra features vary. Before deciding which one is right for your needs and the devices you have, take some time to look at what each one offers and see what other users have to say.

VPN options for other streaming platforms

Don't have an Apple TV? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.

• How to stream using a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast

• How to use a VPN on your Roku

• How to use a VPN to stream with Fire TV

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-use-a-vpn-on-apple-tv-113345245.html?src=rss

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© Will Lipman Photography for Engadget