If you want to know how to set up your VPN on Nvidia Shield TV, then you’re in the right place. Nvidia Shield is a media streaming device that operates on Android TV. It allows you to watch content on your favorite streaming apps or even stream your PC games on the big screen thanks to the GeForce NOW cloud gaming service.
So, why would you need a VPN for Nvidia Shield TV? With a VPN you can unblock foreign streaming catalogs; for example, you’ll be able to watch Netflix Japan titles while you’re in the US.
A VPN for Nvidia Shield will also ensure that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) doesn’t deliberately slow down your connection while your streaming or gaming via your Nvidia Shield. This means you can enjoy a reliable and steady internet connection at all times.
Below is everything you need to know about using a VPN on Nvidia Shield TV, such as how to set up the VPN and which VPNs work best with Nvidia Shield.
There are a couple of ways to set up a VPN on Nvidia Shield, either via the Google Play Store or using an APK file.
This is by far the easiest method; sign up for a VPN subscription with one of the services below. When you’ve done so, open up the Google Play Store on your Nvidia Shield TV, and type in the name of your VPN service provider.
Find the VPN and tap install. You’ll need to accept the terms of service. When the app is downloaded, it will appear on your Nvidia Shield home page. Tap on it, sign in to your account, and then connect to a server when the app opens up.
You can also set up a VPN with an APK Android file from your VPN provider. However, this is a more complex process, but a possibility for tech wizards.
Firstly, you need to download your VPN provider’s APK file. Once you’ve done so, put this file on a USB drive. You then need to download the ES File Explorer from the Google Play Store. After this, access the Nvidia Shield settings and allow ‘Unknown sources’ in the Security and restrictions area.
After this, insert the USB and open it using ES File Explorer. Find your USB and open it; locate the VPN APK file and install it. After installation, you’ll be able to log into your account via the VPN app and connect to a server.
We’ve found the best VPNs that can be directly downloaded onto your Nvidia Shield TV from the Google Play Store. Plus, all of the featured VPNs come with advanced security features and excellent unblocking capabilities to ensure you can stream content from anywhere via your Nvidia Shield.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Boxee Box, Chromecast, ChromeOS, FireOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Windows |
| Streaming: | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouSee, DR TV, Disney+, Plex, Kodi, NBC, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, TV Player, HBO Go, HBO Max, Apple TV |
| Browser Extentions: | Firefox, Safari, Chrome |
Pros:
Fast connection
Zero-log policy
More than 5000 worldwide servers
Cons:
Few payment options
Split tunneling unavaible
6 Devices Maximum
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
You have likely heard of NordVPN as it is one of the best VPN services on the market. NordVPN offers a dedicated Android TV app that is available for download from the Google Play Store. Users can also choose to download the Android APK file directly from the NordVPN website, for manual setup.
NordVPN offers access to more than 5,400 servers across 59 countries. It is an excellent choice for unblocking geo-restricted video content on apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and Hulu. Server download speeds are fast, especially when you connect using the NordLynx protocol, which is good news for Nvidia Shield users. Moreover, there is unlimited data meaning you can use the VPN on the streaming device as much as you want to.
NordVPN’s advanced security features also ensure that you have fast speeds at all times. Military-grade encryption hides your activity from your network provider so that it cannot throttle your connection. There are also features like a kill switch, which means your streaming activity won’t ever be exposed to your network provider or other third parties.
A single subscription with NordVPN enables protection for up to 6 devices simultaneously. This means you can connect it to your Nvidia Shield TV as well as 5 other devices.
You’ll be protected by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning that you can test the service fully before committing to a paid plan. There is also 24/7 live-chat customer support if you need assistance while setting up the VPN for Nvidia Shield.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Unblocks streaming services
Based in privacy-friendly country
Cons:
No phone support
No 12 month plan
Few payment methods
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
Surfshark is a great VPN for Nvidia Shield. It comes with a dedicated Android app that you can download from the Google Play Store and has a network of over 3,000 servers. This means you can change your virtual location and unblock streaming and gaming content from across the globe.
Connection speeds are excellent with Surfshark and sufficient for data-heavy activity. This makes Surfshark VPN an excellent choice for streaming with Nvidia Shield as you’ll enjoy buffer-free gameplay and streaming playback.
Surfshark comes with unlimited simultaneous connections – yes, you read that right. Therefore, you can put the VPN on your Nvidia Shield TV and all of your other devices at the same time.
In terms of protecting your connection, Surfshark VPN offers many great security features. There is AES-256 bit encryption, VPN protocols like OpenVPN, and Camouflage mode which hides your VPN use from third parties such as apps like Netflix.
Moreover, Surfshark offers a strict no-logs policy which means you can rest assured that none of your VPN data will ever be stored or misused by the provider.
There is an industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test Surfshark on Nvidia Shield before committing to a paid plan.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 7 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Roku, Windows, Xbox 360 |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Located in privacy-friendly Romania
Accepts Bitcoin as a payment option
NoSpy server network
Cons:
Limited Netflix unblocking capability
No phone support
Uses virtual servers
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
CyberGhost VPN is one of the most popular VPN providers on the market and is especially popular with Nvidia Shield TV users. It comes with excellent unblocking capabilities, meaning you can enjoy a wider range of streaming and gaming services through Nvidia Shield.
CyberGhost offers a dedicated app for Android TV systems, which is extremely easy to set up and use. There are more than 7,800 servers on the network and a handy server filtering system to find the best server for the particular streaming app you want to watch. Dedicated streaming servers are available for apps like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
CyberGhost is an excellent choice in terms of privacy and security. Even though you may not think you need to hide your Nvidia Shield TV activity, you should do so to protect your privacy. AES-256 bit encryption and advanced protocols ensure that your Nvidia Shield streaming data never leaks.
There is excellent customer service with a host of written guides as well as a live chat on the CyberGhost website. The customer support agents are friendly and extremely helpful, so you can expect to resolve any issues in a matter of minutes. If you’re not completely happy with the VPN provider, you can request a refund within the first 45-days.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Plenty of payment methods
24 hours live chat support
30 days money back guarantee
Cons:
More expensive than competitors
Only 5 simultaneous connections
No servers in Russia
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
ExpressVPN offers an app for Android TVs that can be installed directly on Nvidia Shield from the Google Play Store. There is also the option to download the APK file from the ExpressVPN website, meaning you can definitely use the VPN on your Nvidia Shield TV, regardless of the setup process you choose.
ExpressVPN allows you to get all of the benefits of a VPN on your Nvidia Shield TV. This means that you can access the internet anonymously and change your IP location with ease. Advanced encryption will also protect you from ISP bandwidth throttling.
If you don’t want to set up the VPN on your Nvidia Shield, you can configure ExpressVPN on your home router. The VPN offers a router app, meaning you can easily adjust the VPN router settings, and ensure all devices on your home network, including your Nvidia Shield TV, enjoy VPN protection.
Thanks to the VPN’s Lightway protocol, all of your connection speeds will be great. Even if you connect to a distant server, you won’t notice any buffering while streaming on Nvidia Shield.
Overall, ExpressVPN is a great pick for an Nvidia Shield VPN; unfortunately, it is more expensive than the other providers on the list, which is the only downside of the service.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, ChromeOS, FireOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Unlimited simultaneous connections
24/7 customer support
Unblocks Netflix
Cons:
Based in US (Five Eyes)
Limited payment options
Doesn't unblock BBC iPlayer
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
IPVanish is another great VPN service for Nvidia Shield Android TV. It comes with a dedicated app for Android TV, unlimited simultaneous connections, and decent streaming performance.
You can set up IPVanish on your Nvidia Shield TV by downloading the app from the Google Play Store. Once you have the app installed, you can easily find a server in your desired location and change your virtual location.
IPVanish delivers a range of advanced security features as well as a strict no-logs policy, so you can rest assured that your privacy will be protected. And, unlike many other VPN providers, IPVanish operates on its own servers, meaning the servers are less likely to be tampered with by third parties.
There is no restriction on simultaneous connections, meaning that you can use the VPN on Nvidia Shield, as well as all your other devices, for no additional cost. Finally, there is reliable 24/7 live chat support if you need assistance while setting up the Nvidia Shield VPN.
There are a few free VPN apps that you can download from the Google Play Store on Nvidia Shield. However, free VPNs aren’t the best for streaming or preventing bandwidth throttling. For example, ProtonVPN is a great free VPN but it doesn’t offer the best speeds for streaming and may be unable to effectively unblock foreign streaming app libraries.
If you’re interested in using a free VPN, we have listed our recommendations below; however, you’ll need to double-check that these free VPNs work with Nvidia Shield TV.
Yes, you can install many different apps on Nvidia Shield TV, including VPN apps. Simply open the Google Play Store and search for the app you want to install.
Remember, not every VPN is compatible with Nvidia Shield; so if you cannot find a certain VPN app in the Google Play Store, it is likely that the VPN isn’t compatible with Android TV or media streaming platforms like Nvidia Shield.
A VPN can affect streaming speeds on Nvidia Shield in various ways. For example, if you regularly experience buffering during streams, it is likely that your network provider is deliberately slowing your internet speed to prevent you from consuming too much data. The VPN hides your activity and acts as a defense against throttling.
However, you may endure slightly slower speeds on Nvidia Shield if you connect to a VPN server that is far away from your physical location. To overcome this, always try to connect to a nearby server so that your data packets aren’t traveling so far. This means you can still enjoy a good internet speed while using a VPN.
If you’ve connected to the VPN on your Nvidia Shield and it says it cannot connect, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app. If you have an active VPN connection but your location isn’t changing on apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, try switching servers.
You might also need to update your app so that it is running on the latest version. If you’re using outdated software, then it is likely that your VPN won’t work properly.
Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids.
I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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