How to Use VPN From Roku

There are dozens of reasons why you might want to use a VPN on your Roku device, from protecting your privacy to unblocking content. Here’s how you can use a VPN on your Roku.

Install The Free VPN App

Since the Roku platform is open source, anyone can create an app for it, and since there’s no shortage of VPN apps available, you can bet that there are also apps for Roku. The best VPN apps for Roku are often free, and many of them offer a premium feature that costs you nothing. You don’t have to settle for second-rate VPN performance just because the app is free.

Change The VPN Server

It is a good idea to change your VPN server every now and then to ensure that you’re always connecting to the fastest and most secure server. If you use the same VPN server every time, even if it’s the best in the world, it will only give you limited performance compared to connecting to a server that’s 100 miles away. Since changing the server isn’t that hard, you will often find tutorials online that show you how to change your VPN server on various platforms. Changing the VPN server on your Roku is even easier: just head over to the Settings app on your device, click the VPN choice and select “edit” from the menu, and you’ll see a screen where you can change the server address to one that’s better suited for your region and location.

Use A VPN-Covered Proxy

Some content providers such as Netflix and Hulu don’t allow users to access their content if their devices are connecting through a VPN. If you want to watch a particular show or movie on Netflix, you’ll have to disable your VPN and use the service’s regular web interface to do so. The same goes for Hulu: you’ll have to disable your VPN if you want to access their content. Disabling your VPN is usually as easy as going into your settings and clicking the relevant button, but in those cases, you’ll have to enter your username and password again to access the site. With most VPNs, the process of reauthenticating is automatic: you just have to connect to the app once, and it will remember your credentials for the rest of your browsing session.

Change Your Smart DNS Settings

If you’re using a VPN to unblock content as well as to protect your personal data, you’ll have to change the DNS settings on your device to ensure that your Internet connection is always routed through the VPN when you want to access content that isn’t blocked by your ISP. Some devices have a Quick Settings menu accessible from the top right corner of the screen, and you can find a VPN-related option there. Alternatively, you can access the VPN settings from the status bar at the bottom of your screen.

Use A Virtual Private Network (VPN) Client

A VPN client allows you to connect to a VPN server through a software client rather than through a web browser. In other words, you don’t have to rely on the server’s web interface to connect to a VPN server, which could be problematic if you don’t have access to a computer or the Internet. Some VPN clients on the market are designed to be mobile-only and don’t require any sensitive information to be entered, which makes them ideal for people who want to use VPN on the go. You can download and install a reputable VPN client on your device. Some examples of good clients are NordVPN, Private Internet Access, IP Vanish, and StrongVPN.

You can use any of these clients on the go through a mobile network or WiFi hotspot, as long as you’re connected to one. This is a huge advantage, as you won’t have to worry about losing access to a VPN server if you run out of cellular data or WiFi. Remember: the more data you consume, the more you’ll have to pay for by using certain services, so consider this if you’re planning to use a VPN on the go.

Useful Tips

Here are some useful tips that will make using a VPN on your Roku much easier.