The way to use a VPN on Roku

The Roku good 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 huge benefit of the Roku platform is that it is all the time getting free software program updates to maintain it present, just like the cool new characteristic that turns your TV right into a digital artwork museum by displaying famous paintings as a screensaver. There’s one characteristic lacking proper out of the field, although — the flexibility to observe exhibits and occasions inaccessible in your house nation.

Utilizing a VPN is a typical technique to deal with this challenge, however not like Fireplace TV, Apple TV and different rivals, Roku techniques don’t have native VPN assist. However that’s not the top 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 only means.

The advantages of utilizing a VPN

A VPN can change your IP handle 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, reasonably than your individual. You’ll then have entry to a distinct set of programming. For instance, you want Max to stream Pals, The Large Bang Concept or Rick and Morty within the US, however they’re all accessible on Netflix within the UK. So for those who’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 own home machine and the VPN server is encrypted, so — if all the things’s working correctly — no one ought to be capable of 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 knowledge brokers).

The best means to make use of a VPN on Roku

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

As an alternative, we advocate a far simpler methodology: 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 machine 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 choose this methodology as a result of it’s easier general than managing a VPN by means of your router. You possibly can entry any geo-blocked content material in your smartphone or laptop computer first after which solid it in your good TV.

You can also make certain your Roku mannequin is AirPlay-compatible by checking this resource on Roku’s site. If it isn’t, you’ll be able to all the time simply straight patch your cellphone or laptop computer to the TV utilizing an HDMI cable or an appropriate dongle.

Selecting one of the best VPN

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

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