Find out how to use a VPN on Roku

The Roku sensible TV platform is an accessible technique to watch your favourite streaming content in a centralized location. You possibly can both get a Roku TV with the platform in-built, or add a miniature field or dongle to an older-model TV.

One large benefit of the Roku platform is that it is at all times getting free software program updates to maintain it present, just like the cool new function that turns your TV right into a digital artwork museum by displaying famous paintings as a screensaver. There’s one function lacking proper out of the field, although — the power to look at reveals and occasions inaccessible in your house nation.

Utilizing a VPN is a typical technique to deal with this problem, however not like Hearth TV, Apple TV and different rivals, Roku techniques don’t have native VPN help. However that’s not the tip of the story. You possibly can nonetheless use a VPN to entry a wider vary of programming along with your Roku — you simply want to make use of a workaround. We’ll present you the best means.

The advantages of utilizing a VPN

A VPN can change your IP deal with to make it appear like you are getting on-line from a distinct area. Whenever you masks your IP with a VPN, Netflix sees the VPN server’s location, relatively than your personal. You’ll then have entry to a distinct set of programming. For instance, you want Max to stream Pals, The Massive Bang Idea or Rick and Morty within the US, however they’re all accessible on Netflix within the UK. So when you’re in, say, Texas, however your VPN server is in London, Netflix will present you the British programming menu as an alternative.

VPNs have a number of different privateness and safety advantages. The connection between your house gadget and the VPN server is encrypted, so — if every little thing’s working correctly — no one ought to be capable to join you to something you do on-line. Meaning no worries about getting banned from streaming websites for utilizing a proxy. It additionally means your Web service supplier can’t see all your looking locations (and promote your viewing habits to information brokers).

The best means to make use of a VPN on Roku

Though Roku doesn’t natively help VPNs, there are a number of workarounds. You possibly can, as an example, set up a VPN on your home’s router. That means that you can shield your entire community and each gadget that connects to it, preserving everybody in your family nameless on-line. However it may be inconvenient if it’s a must to change your server location typically, and with a number of exceptions (like ExpressVPN’s Aircove), it calls for some technical data.

As a substitute, we advocate a far simpler technique: connecting a VPN to your Roku by way of AirPlay or screencast. To do that, subscribe to a VPN and set up it in your smartphone or laptop computer. Then, stream content material on that gadget and AirPlay or screencast it to your Roku TV. The icon to do that ought to appear like a TV with Wi-Fi rays.

AirPlay screencasting - YouTube — Engadget

We desire this technique as a result of it’s less complicated total than managing a VPN by way of your router. You possibly can entry any geo-blocked content material in your smartphone or laptop computer first after which forged it in your sensible TV.

You may make positive your Roku mannequin is AirPlay-compatible by checking this resource on Roku’s site. If it isn’t, you may at all times simply immediately patch your cellphone or laptop computer to the TV utilizing an HDMI cable or an appropriate dongle.

Selecting the very best VPN

Utilizing a cellphone or laptop computer as the final word supply to your VPN-routed streams provides you a wider listing of companies to select from. Though every VPN has the identical primary functionalities, their costs and further options fluctuate. Earlier than deciding which one is true to your wants and the units you’ve, take a while to take a look at what every one presents and see what different customers must say.

Begin by testing our listing of best VPNs. If you happen to’re seeking to stream content material that is solely accessible in a selected area, test your chosen VPN’s web site to verify it has a server location in that area.