Watch on your TV
Get it on the big screen.
A VPN on your phone is fine, but most people want to watch on their TV. Here's how to set it up on every common device — ranked from easiest to most involved.
Apple TV
#1Download a VPN app directly on Apple TV
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all have native Apple TV apps on the App Store. This is the cleanest solution — no phone needed.
Open the App Store on your Apple TV
Search for your VPN of choice (Surfshark is a good starting point). Sign in with your existing VPN account.
Connect to a country
Open the VPN app, choose a country (e.g. UK for Netflix UK), and hit connect. The whole TV is now routed through that country.
Open your streaming app and watch
Open Netflix, Disney+, or whatever you subscribe to. You'll now see that country's library. Search for your title and play.
Tip: Apple TV is the only major streaming device with native VPN app support. If you're considering buying a streaming stick, this is the one to get.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
#2Download a VPN from the Amazon Appstore
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN are all available on the Fire TV Appstore. Search and install directly on the device.
Sign into the VPN app
Use your existing VPN account credentials. If you don't have one yet, sign up on your phone first.
Select a country and connect
Pick the country whose library you want to access. The Fire Stick routes all traffic through that location once connected.
Open your streaming app and enjoy
Navigate to Netflix, Max, or your service of choice. The foreign library will load automatically.
Tip: Fire Sticks are inexpensive and widely supported. A great budget option if you don't already own Apple TV.
Roku
#3Roku doesn't support VPN apps natively
Unlike Apple TV or Fire Stick, you can't install a VPN directly on a Roku device. The easiest workaround is to cast from your phone.
Set up the VPN on your phone
Install Surfshark or NordVPN on your iPhone or Android. Connect to the country you want.
Open the streaming app on your phone
With the VPN active, open Netflix (or whatever service) on your phone. You'll see the foreign library.
Cast to your Roku-connected TV
Use screen mirroring or AirPlay (iPhone) / Cast (Android) to send the stream to your TV. Quality is slightly lower than native, but it works.
Tip: If you use Roku frequently and want a cleaner experience, consider upgrading to an Apple TV or Fire Stick — both support VPN apps directly.
Chromecast / Google TV
#4Older Chromecast: cast from your phone
The original Chromecast doesn't support VPN apps. Connect the VPN on your phone, open your streaming app, and cast to the TV the same way you normally would.
Google TV (newer Chromecast with Google TV)
The newer Chromecast with Google TV runs Android TV and supports VPN apps from the Play Store. Search for Surfshark or NordVPN and install directly.
Connect and stream
With the VPN running on Google TV, select your country and open any streaming app. The foreign library loads automatically — no casting required.
Tip: Check which Chromecast you have. If it's the newer 'Chromecast with Google TV' (it has a remote), you can install a VPN directly. The older dongle-style ones require phone casting.
Smart TV (Samsung, LG)
#5Option 1: Set up VPN on your router
The cleanest solution for smart TVs is configuring a VPN on your home router. Every device on your network then routes through the VPN. Surfshark and NordVPN both have router setup guides. It's a one-time setup.
Option 2: Cast from your phone
If router setup sounds daunting, the simple version: connect the VPN on your phone, open the streaming app, and screen mirror to your Samsung or LG TV using their built-in AirPlay or Miracast support.
Option 3: Plug in a Fire Stick or Apple TV
The easiest long-term fix for a smart TV is to plug in a Fire Stick or Apple TV. You get a full VPN-capable device and it plugs straight into your HDMI port.
Tip: Most people find the router method too technical for a casual use case. Casting from your phone is the easiest starting point — and if you like it, the Fire Stick upgrade is cheap.
Which VPN should I use?
For TV use, you want one with a native app on Apple TV and Fire Stick. Surfshark and NordVPN both support all the devices above. Surfshark is currently the best value at around $2.49/mo on their 2-year plan — and one account covers unlimited devices, so your whole household can share it. We have no affiliate deal with any of them — just an honest recommendation.