How to Watch Netflix on Your Smart TV with a VPN
Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services in the world, and it’s available to watch on almost every major device. It’s even possible to download the app and watch Netflix in offline mode. Allowing users to stream content from almost anywhere, Netflix has truly created a digital nomad generation and continues to grow its global audience.
However, all of this convenience comes at a price. Your personal data is at risk when using public WiFis or streaming services that don’t use secure connections.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is a virtual private network that protects your personal data by encrypting and securing your internet connection. The benefit of using a VPN is that much of the content you consume while online is not visible to the public, including your personal data. This prevents your personal information from being intercepted by hackers or third parties. When you use a VPN, all of your internet traffic is sent to a secure server that stores and encrypts your personal data, so it can’t be read by anyone in the world.
This way, even if your internet connection is compromised, your personal information will remain secure. Additionally, some VPNs also allow you to change your IP address, so you can appear to be coming from a different location, effectively giving you a new digital identity.
Why should you watch Netflix on a virtual private network (VPN)?
There are many reasons why you might want to use a VPN to watch Netflix, but let’s examine the key benefits of using this digital solution.
- Secure and Private Connection –> When you use a VPN, all of your internet traffic is protected by 256-bit encryption, ensuring that no unauthorised individuals can intercept or access your personal data. This type of encryption is more secure than the encryption used by most websites and apps that you might encounter, including Netflix.
- Location Freedom –> A big advantage of using a VPN is that you can change your IP address to that of a location that has better internet speeds than your current location. This way, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to download or stream content. For example, if you’re in New Zealand but your IP address indicates you’re located in Australia, you could stream content from New Zealand at substantially faster speeds than you would if you were located in Australia. This is particularly beneficial if you’re on a limited data plan and can’t afford to spend much time streaming content, especially now that Netflix is so popular and continues to grow its content offerings each year.
- No Performance Limitations –> Since all of your internet traffic is encrypted and secure, you’re not subject to any performance limitations when using a VPN. This means that you can reliably stream content at any time and from anywhere, without fear of hitches or buffering.
- Access to Content –> The most important thing to consider when using a VPN is that you’re not locked out of any content. Whether you’re a Netflix subscriber or have an account with another service that broadcasts content via Netflix, you can reliably access this content when using a VPN.
- Device Independence –-> With a VPN, you don’t need to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to access content on a given device. Most VPNs allow you to connect and use their service whether you’re on a computer, smartphone, or tablet. This makes it much simpler to access content regardless of the device you’re using.
How to Set Up Your Smart TV to Watch Netflix
Setting up your Smart TV to stream Netflix is actually very easy. All you need is a VPN and a few other useful apps. Let’s have a look at how to do this.
- First, download and install the VPN app on your mobile device. Most major mobile device manufacturers have built-in VPN apps, making it simple to connect to a VPN even when you’re roaming.
- Next, open the VPN app and click the “Connect” button. You’ll be presented with a login screen. Since we’re setting up a VPN for the purposes of watching Netflix, you can use the default login info from your mobile device.
- After you connect to the VPN, visit Netflix’s website on your Smart TV. You’ll see a screen prompting you to sign in with your email address and password. Once you’ve done that, you can access a lot of content from almost anywhere in the world.
- Last but not least, download the Netflix app to your Smart TV. This way you can enjoy all the content that Netflix has to offer, no matter where you are. If you want to access specific content, like the new Gilmore Girls series, you can sign into the Netflix app on your tablet or smartphone and then display that content on your TV. This is also the case if you want to access content from an earlier season than the rest of America, since the seasons often vary by country.
- By now, you should have all the essential apps to stream Netflix. If you’re using an Apple TV, you can even download the Netflix app directly from the Apple App Store.
Is It Possible to Watch Netflix Without a VPN?
Yes, it is possible to watch Netflix without a VPN. However, this requires a bit of a workaround, as well as the use of a Media Server. Essentially, a Media Server is a device that connects to your home network and allows you to stream content, including games, to other devices connected to the network. It’s mainly used for offline viewing, but it can also be used for online streaming.
While most people think of a Media Server when they think of streaming media, they can also be used for downloading content for offline viewing. Typically, a Media Server has enough storage for local content, such as music, photos, and videos, as well as remote content, such as from Netflix or Hulu. If you already have a media server in your home, it’s easy to set one up to stream content from Netflix or other popular streaming services. All you need is a networked computer or other device that’s connected to the internet. This device can be used to access and download content, and then played back on other devices, such as your TV or mobile device. While this might be the case, it’s generally best to use a VPN when streaming content. This way, you can ensure that your personal data is always protected, even when using third-party services, and access content wherever you want, whenever you want, as long as you have a decent internet connection. If you’re looking for a cost-effective and simple solution, then using a VPN is the way to go.
How Many Devices Can You Play Content On?
Another important consideration when using a VPN is how many devices can you play content on? Can you play content on your mobile device, computer, or TV? The short answer is yes, you can play content on as many devices as you have networked together. This way, you don’t need to have Netflix or other streaming service apps installed on every device. The software is able to switch between devices, so you can watch content on the TV, tablet, or mobile device, as long as they’re all connected to the internet via WiFi or cellular data.
For example, let’s say you have a computer, mobile device, and TV sitting around your home. If you want to watch content on all three devices, you don’t need to install the Netflix app on any of them, as the software can switch between devices to allow you to watch content on the TV or other devices. This is a great solution if you want to avoid installing a separate app on each device, as well as ensure that your personal data remains secure even when using third-party services. Additionally, if you have a home network, it’s possible to stream content directly to your TV, without the need for a separate device.