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ExpressVPN on Apple TV: Installation and Usage

ExpressVPN on Apple TV

Decided to use ExpressVPN on your Apple TV, but need installation and usage instructions? Whether you want to unlock the streaming service catalogs or stay secure while using applications, we can help. You don’t have to install it on the device. Instead, you may utilize a secure Internet connection from another device, such as a Windows or Mac computer or a router. It comes down to your tech-savvy, the effort required, and the available devices. Let’s get into the installation and usage of ExpressVPN on Apple TV.

What can ExpressVPN do on Apple TV?

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for Apple TV and can help you unblock your favorite TV shows and movies in various categories on Apple TV+ or protect users from privacy-invading practices. We don’t recommend bypassing the VPN blocks, as it may be illegal or cause a termination of your Apple ID account.

However, changing the IP address and the DNS server using a high-quality VPN such as this can make you appear in a different location. That would unlock access to a diverse catalog of films and TV series than those in your original area.

A VPN can shield your identity and location from advertisers, app developers, and other users. Unfortunately, Apple TV doesn’t have an inbuilt interface for VPN connection in Settings. Therefore, you’ll have to adjust some settings to use ExpressVPN MediaStreamer or share a protected Internet connection from another device, ideally a router.

Note that MediaStreamer isn’t a VPN, and will only obfuscate your public IP address and change your default DNS server to a protected one. It won’t encrypt your traffic, establish a tunnel, or enable any other security features, so it’s only valid for bypassing geolocation blocks.

1. Install and use ExpressVPN MediaStreamer Smart DNS on Apple TV

MediaStreamer is ExpressVPN’s advanced proxy/Smart DNS feature you can use on Apple TV since it lacks the option to set up a VPN. It’s not beginner-friendly and requires a basic knowledge of public IP addresses and DNS (Domain Name System) servers.

However, using MediaStreamer Smart DNS is the method the VPN provider recommends for Apple TV, and it doesn’t require other devices. Plus, you can use Smart DNS on all Apple TVs models. Let’s get into it.

Check if you have a dynamic or static IP address on Windows or Mac

The settings you must apply are based on the type of IP address you have; static or dynamic. Here’s how to check whether your IP address is dynamic or static on Windows and Mac:

  • Checking IP address type on Windows: Start by right-clicking the start button. Then:
    1. Choose Command Prompt.
    2. Type ipconfig/all
    3. If you see DHCP Enabled: YES, the IP address is dynamic. Otherwise, you have a static one.
  • To find out the type of IP address on Mac: Open System Preferences, and then:
    1. Go to Network → Advanced.
    2. Select TCP/IP.
    3. If the Configure IPv4 has MANUALLY next to it, you have a static IP address. Otherwise, it will say USING DHCP, meaning you have a dynamic one.

How to install MediaStreamer on Apple TV with a Dynamic IP address

A dynamic IP address is a temporary IP address that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) occasionally changes and assigns to a different user. If that’s your case, you have two options:

  1. Enter the IP address manually every time you use ExpressVPN as if it was static
  2. Use a dynamic hostname that will track IP changes and apply them for you

Follow these steps to configure Apple TV with a dynamic IP address to work with ExpressVPN MediaStreamer:

  1. Visit Dynu’s website, a free ExpressVPN-recommended dynamic hostname service, and make an account.
  2. Confirm your account by clicking the link they emailed.
  3. You’ll be signed in to Dynu, so go to the DDNS Services section.
  4. Enter a hostname of your choice and use one of the free options. For instance, mike-toronto.casacam.net.
  5. Click on Add, and disable the following settings before clicking Save:
    • Enable IPv6 Address
    • Wildcard IPv4 Alias
    • Wildcard IPv6 Alias
  6. Install the “Dynu IP Update Client” on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, or other compatible devices you use.
  7. Sign in to the app and click on Save, and you can use the hostname instead of the IP address. The software will update the IP address every two minutes by default if it changes.

Configuring MediaStreamer on Apple TV

You need to notify ExpressVPN on their DNS Settings page about your new hostname. Sign in if you aren’t. Then, paste the hostname from step 4 above in the Dynamic DNS Hostname box before clicking Save Hostname. Follow these instructions to set up your Apple TV to use MediaStreamer now:

  1. Get information from the ExpressVPN MediaStreamer setup page. The IP address will be on the right side.
  2. Boot your Apple TV, and then:
    1. On 1st through 3rd generation of Apple TV, go to Settings → General → Network
    2. For all other Apple TV devices, open Settings → choose Network
  3. Pick a connection type, Ethernet (wired) or Wi-Fi (wireless) you’re using to connect the Apple TV.
  4. Select the Configure DNS option, then pick Manual.
  5. Enter the MediaStreamer IP address from step 1.
  6. You must restart the Apple TV devices from step 2, sub-step 1 by going to Settings → General → Restart.
  7. When you reboot, or immediately on generation 4 and newer devices, your Apple TV will use an ExpressVPN IP address and DNS server.

How to set up your Apple TV with a static address to use ExpressVPN

Things are considerably easier for static IP users. They need to provide a single IP address to ExpressVPN to get a new one via MediaStreamer and apply it on Apple TV like this:

  1. Google “what is my IP address?” and copy it.
  2. Go to the DNS settings page for ExpressVPN from step 1 above.
  3. Log in if needed, then find IP Address Registration.
  4. In the text field next to that section, paste your IP address, and select Register My IP Address.
  5. Turn on the “Automatically Register My IP Address” option.
  6. If your static IP address ever changes, repeat steps 1-5. To use MediaStreamer on Apple TV, go through steps 1 through 7 in the method above.

2. Use Apple AirPlay to stream from a device ExpressVPN protects to Apple TV

We understand the procedure above is complicated for beginners. Luckily, there’s a workaround, using AirPlay, that lets you stay protected by all benefits of a VPN, but limits you to streaming content.

Here’s how to use a device protected by ExpressVPN to cast video and audio content to Apple TV via AirPlay:

  1. Install ExpressVPN on Mac, iPhone, or iPad and sign in with a valid account.
    • Note. Mac app may prevent Apple TV from being discovered. To allow discovery, open the ExpressVPN software, then go to Preferences → General before putting a checkmark in front of “Allow access to devices on the local network”.
  2. Connect to a VPN server in the country whose streaming service catalog you want to unlock.
  3. Start playing the video content you wanted to watch on iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.
  4. Tap the AirPlay icon in the video. Mac users must select “Apple TV” from the list.
  5. If the chosen device and Apple TV are on the same network, the video will be cast on the TV or monitor connected to Apple TV.

3. Connect Apple TV to an ExpressVPN-protected VPN router

This method involves the installation and usage of ExpressVPN on a router and connecting the Apple TV to it via Ethernet or Wi-Fi using one of four options:

  1. Purchase ExpressVPN Aircove, the first VPN router that uses Wi-Fi 6, released in September 2022
  2. Buy a VPN router with ExpressVPN firmware preinstalled
  3. Install the firmware on a compatible VPN router (supported models are on the VPN provider’s website)
  4. Create a VPN server on a router using OpenVPN manually

Milan

VPN is one of my passions. I love being secure and helping others avoid any potential threats online. I also contribute to several VPN guide websites online.