The Roku smart TV platform is a convenient way to access all your favorite streaming content centrally – either built into your TV or by adding an affordable dongle or set-top box to an older TV. But a common frustration for smart TV and streaming service users is that some of the best shows and movies are unavailable due to geographic restrictions.
A common way to address this issue is to use a VPN, but unlike Fire TV, Apple TV, and other competitors, Roku systems don’t have native VPN support. But that’s not the end of the story. Using a VPN can give you access to a wider range of programming through your Roku. It’s just a workaround. Here’s how.
Benefits of using a VPN
When it comes to streaming, a VPN has one main advantage: it lets you change your IP address. A VPN tunnels your connection through a server, obfuscating your IP and making it appear as if you’re watching from a different location. As a result, services like Netflix think you’re located in the US instead of, say, the UK. This gives you access to a different set of shows. For example, the TV show Friends is available on Max in the US, but only on Netflix in the UK.
VPNs have several other privacy and security-related benefits: VPN servers have military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, making them more secure than a regular internet connection. Because you browse the internet through a tunnel through the VPN, your internet service provider can’t see everything you go on (and can’t sell your browsing habits to data brokers).
The easiest way to use a VPN with Roku
Roku doesn’t natively support VPNs, but there are some workarounds. For example, you can set up a VPN on your home router. This will protect your entire network and all the devices that connect to it, keeping the whole family anonymous online. However, it can also cause confusion if you want to access local services, requires quite a bit of technical knowledge, and only works with certain routers.
Instead, we recommend a much easier method: connecting a VPN to your Roku via AirPlay or screencasting. To do this, subscribe to a VPN and install it on your smartphone or laptop. Then stream content on that device and AirPlay or screencast to your Roku TV. The icon for doing this looks like a TV with a Wi-Fi ray.
Engadget
We recommend this method because of its overall simplicity: you can access geo-blocked content on your smartphone or laptop first, and then cast it to your smart TV.
You can make sure your Roku model supports AirPlay by checking this resource on Roku’s site. If it doesn’t, you can connect your phone or laptop directly to your TV using an HDMI cable or an appropriate dongle.
