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Initially released in 2007, Apple TV has become a versatile digital media hub capable of supporting thousands of streaming apps. It's a palm-sized device supporting a treasure trove of content, so there’s aways the luggage space to take it away with you.
Throw one of the best VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) into the mix and you get even more from your Apple TV experience.
One popular VPN app for Apple TV is Surfshark. It’s incredibly easy to install on your device — as you'll find out in our guide below — so you can start discovering more great content ASAP.
Surfshark on Apple TV: why do I need it?
A VPN grants you secure access to your favorite content whether at home or abroad.
Licensing restrictions on movies and TV series cause streaming services to block anyone trying to gain access to them from other countries. That’s pretty inconvenient if you happen to be travelling.
A VPN solves this problem by routing your traffic through a multitude of worldwide secure servers, so you can appear to be connecting from the appropriate location. You can log in to your paid streaming accounts and regional services as normal, and watch live events you’d never dream of missing at home.
As well as maintaining access to local services, you can dive into the regional catalogs of major platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video, and enjoy programming that might not ordinarily be available in your jurisdiction.
Surfshark is well-suited to support streaming on Apple TV. Its fleet of optimized, 10Gbps-minimum servers can facilitate smooth, buffer-free 4K streaming, while the app’s WireGuard protocol keeps connections fast and stable.
In addition to unblocking global sites, a VPN automatically encrypts all of your web traffic, providing more privacy and, by extension, preventing third party monitoring and bandwidth-throttling by your ISP.
How to set up Surfshark on your Apple TV
First things first: you’ll want a Surfshark subscription and an Apple TV device that supports tvOS 17 or later — that includes Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models.
Then just follow the three simple steps below:
- Open the app store in your Apple TV and type ‘Surfshark’ into the search bar.
- Locate the Surfshark VPN option and click ‘Get’ to begin installation.
- Once complete, open the app and log in using your preferred method
It’s that simple. You'll then be ready to route your Apple TV traffic through any of Surfshark’s remote servers.
How to use Surfshark on your Apple TV
To connect, first choose a VPN server. Some are pre-set (like ‘fastest location’), or you can scroll through the full list of over 4,500 until you find the right one.
Often, the quickest option will be to use the search tool on the main page.
Once you’ve found the desired location, select it, then ‘Allow’ VPN configurations if prompted. If you anticipate regular use, click the star icon to favorite it for quicker access next time.
To switch servers, simply click on another to reroute your traffic to the new destination.
And once you’re finished, either choose ‘Disconnect’, or log out completely via the Account heading, located within the homepage’s Settings menu.
Other ways to use Surfshark with Apple TV
Downloading the Surfshark app direct to your Apple TV is the easiest option. But there may be times when an alternative VPN setup proves expedient.
For example, using a router VPN. Although fiddly to configure, you can avoid adding a VPN to every device and cover all your tech (an unlimited amount on a Surfshark sub) in one fell swoop.
That way, anything connecting to the net through your home Wi-Fi benefits from IP spoofing and bank-grade encryption, including any IoT devices and older Apple TV models without native VPN support.
What can I watch on my Apple TV device?
As far as streaming goes, there are hundreds upon hundreds of apps available. That includes global platforms with packed catalogs of TV series, films, and a smattering of live sports.
Think WWE and boxing on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, “The Last of Us” and more on HBO Max, and Apple TV (of course), alongside Disney Plus and hit titles like “Zootopia 2.”
There’s an even bigger wealth of regional services. Want a small selection? Canada’s Crave, home to viral hockey romance “Heated Rivalry”. BBC iPlayer and ITVX are free in the UK, serving up popular reality TV (“The Traitors”, “Love Island”) as well as being joint broadcasters for this year’s FIFA World Cup.
You can also download US platforms Hulu and Sling TV, which offer on-demand and live TV programming, depending on your subscription plan. There are some neat specialist services like NASA and Crunchyroll, too, and 9Now, 10 Play, and Kayo Sports are on hand for those located in Australia.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
