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How to Use a VPN on Chromecast & Google TV Streamer

Updated Oct 27, 2026

Simon Migliano

Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of apps and his research has been featured on the BBC, The New York Times, and more. Read full bio

Fact-checked by JP Jones

Using a VPN to stream content on a Chromecast device.

Guide Summary

If you have a Chromecast with Google TV or a Google TV Streamer, install one of my recommended VPNs for Android TV and Google TV straight from Google Play. The Chromecast (3rd Gen) can’t run apps, so you’ll need a workaround, and casting a Chrome tab from your computer is the quickest.

Here’s the method I’d use for each model:

Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer: Install a VPN app from Google Play. See how.
Chromecast (3rd Gen): Cast a Chrome tab, or share your VPN connection from your computer. See how.
Any model, permanent setup: Set the VPN up on your router. See how.

Using a VPN with Google Chromecast lets you stream TV shows and movies that usually aren’t available in your location.

A VPN changes your IP address, so streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer show you the library for the country you’ve connected to.

How you set one up depends on which Chromecast you own, though. The Chromecast with Google TV and the Google TV Streamer run VPN apps, just like your smartphone. The Chromecast (3rd Generation) doesn’t, so you’ll need a workaround.

I’ll show you how to tell which model you have, then take you through every method step by step, including fixes for the most common problems.

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Which Chromecast Do You Have?

Google no longer sells any of the Chromecast dongles, and the Google TV Streamer, a set-top box launched in 2024, replaced them.

The table below lists the latest Chromecast and Google TV Streamer models, and whether you can install a VPN directly on them.

Model	Released	Appearance	Max Picture	Supports VPN Apps?
Google TV Streamer	2024	Set-top box that sits flat beside your TV, with an Ethernet port.	4K HDR	Yes
Chromecast with Google TV (HD)	2022	Looks identical to the 4K model, but white only.	1080p HDR	Yes
Chromecast with Google TV (4K)	2020	Oval dongle with a voice remote, in Snow, Sunrise, or Sky.	4K HDR	Yes
Chromecast (3rd Gen)	2018	Round dongle with a Google “G” logo; no remote and no on-screen menu.	1080p	No

The latest Chromecast and Google TV Streamer models.

Both Chromecast with Google TV models have just 8GB of storage, so you may need to delete an unused app before a VPN will install. The Google TV Streamer has 32GB.

How to Use a VPN on Chromecast

Installing a VPN app on your Google streaming device is the easiest method by far, but it only works on Google TV models.

On the Chromecast (3rd Gen), casting a Chrome tab is the quickest fix, while a VPN router is the best long-term setup.

Method	Works with	Difficulty	Requirements	Streaming Quality	Main Drawback
Install a VPN App	Google TV models only	Easy	A VPN with an Android TV app.	Full	Not possible on the 3rd Gen Chromecast.
Cast a Chrome Tab	All four models	Easy	A computer with Chrome.	Reduced	Computer must stay on, with the tab open.
Share Your Computer’s VPN	All four models	Medium	A Windows PC, or a Mac with Ethernet.	Full	Computer must stay on while you watch.
Install a VPN on Your Router	All four models	Hard	A VPN-compatible router.	Full	Changing country affects every device, unless your router has device groups.

Four main ways to use a VPN with your Chromecast or Google TV Streamer.

If you’re still unsure which method is best for you, use my flowchart:

Flowchart for using a VPN with various Chromecast devices.

I’ll run through every method in the following sections.

1. Install a VPN on Your Device

This is the easiest and best way to use a VPN on Chromecast, but it only works on the Chromecast with Google TV (4K or HD) and the Google TV Streamer. You’ll also need a VPN service with a dedicated Android TV app.

ExpressVPN’s streamlined app for Android TV.

Google TV is built on top of Android TV, so any VPN with an Android TV app works on all three models.

How to Set Up a VPN on Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer

Find the VPN in Google Play. Hold the voice button on your remote and say the VPN’s name. Alternatively, go to Apps and type it into the field labeled “Search for apps and games.”
Install the VPN’s app. Select Install, wait for it to finish downloading, then select Open. If a Chromecast with Google TV warns you about storage, uninstall an app you don’t use and try again.
Log in to the VPN. Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your existing subscription. The easiest way is to scan a QR code with your phone, where your VPN offers it. If you’re asked to accept a connection request, select OK.
Turn on the kill switch. Open the app’s settings and enable it before you connect. On several TV apps, including ExpressVPN’s and Surfshark’s, it’s off by default.
Connect to a VPN server. Choose a server in the country whose content you want to watch. For example, I wanted to watch the US library of Tubi, so I connected to a US server.
Stream from the app. Open the streaming app, and you’ll see the content for the country you’ve connected to. You might need to download the streaming service’s app from Google Play after changing your IP address.

If you have yet to choose a VPN, my favorites to use with Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer are IPVanish and ExpressVPN.

2. Cast a Chrome Tab from Your Computer

This is the quickest way to use a VPN with the Chromecast (3rd Generation or earlier).

You run a VPN on Windows or Mac, play the video in Google Chrome, and cast that tab to your TV.

You can also use a VPN Chrome extension instead of the full app. Because it only routes Chrome’s traffic, it’s less likely to hide your Chromecast on your home network.

The method has some downsides, though:

Picture quality is lower than with the other methods, because Chrome compresses the video as it casts the tab.
Your computer has to stay on, with the tab open, while you watch.
It doesn’t work from a phone. When you cast from a streaming app, your Chromecast fetches the video over its own connection and ignores your phone’s VPN.

EXPERT ADVICE: Don’t use the cast button inside the video player. On sites that support Google Cast, that button tells your Chromecast to stream the video itself, which bypasses the VPN on your computer. Always cast the whole tab from Chrome’s menu.

How to Cast a Chrome Tab to Chromecast with a VPN

Disconnect from your VPN. Chrome needs to find your Chromecast on your home network first.
Open the streaming site in Chrome on your computer and sign in.
Open the Cast menu. Click the three-dot More button in the top-right corner, then select Cast, save, and share > Cast…. On macOS 15 or later, you’ll need to give Chrome access in System Settings first.
Select “Cast tab.” Open the Sources drop-down and make sure Cast tab is selected.
Choose your Chromecast as the destination.
Open your VPN app and allow local network access. The setting’s name varies between VPN services, but it’ll mention devices on your local network. Without it, the cast can drop when the VPN connects.
Connect to a VPN server in the country whose content you want to watch. For example, connect to a US server for US Netflix.
Reload the page and start streaming. Play the video full screen, and it’ll show on your TV.

3. Share Your Computer's VPN Connection

Sharing your computer’s VPN connection gives the Chromecast (3rd Gen) full picture quality, because your Chromecast streams the video itself over the VPN.

Your computer turns into a WiFi hotspot, and when you change its virtual location, your Chromecast’s changes too.

It’s an inexpensive and relatively simple way to unblock content on Chromecast. However, your computer has to stay on while you stream, so it’s not the best long-term solution.

The setup differs between Windows and macOS. I have instructions for both, followed by how to move your Chromecast onto the new network.

Share a VPN Connection on Windows 11

Switch your VPN app to OpenVPN. Windows hotspots often won’t share WireGuard-based connections, so pick OpenVPN in the app’s protocol settings. Don’t connect yet.
Turn on Mobile hotspot. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot. Set “Share my internet connection from” to your usual WiFi or Ethernet connection, then toggle Mobile hotspot On. Note down the network name and password.
Open your network adapters. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
Find your VPN’s adapter. Right-click the adapter named after your VPN service, then select Properties.
Share the VPN connection. Open the Sharing tab and tick Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection. Under “Home networking connection,” select your hotspot (it’s called “Local Area Connection*” plus a number), then click OK.
Connect to a VPN server in the country that hosts the content you want to watch.
Move your Chromecast onto the hotspot. See the steps below.
You’re ready to stream. If you want to change location, just reconnect to a different VPN server on your PC.

Share a VPN Connection on macOS

You’ll need an Ethernet cable, because your Mac uses its WiFi to broadcast the new network. If your Mac doesn’t have an Ethernet port, use a USB adapter.

Your VPN app also has to show up as a connection macOS can share. Surfshark’s Mac App Store app does, using the OpenVPN (UDP) protocol, so I’ve used it for these steps.

Download the Surfshark app from the App Store. Don’t download it from the Surfshark website, as that version doesn’t offer the OpenVPN protocol on macOS.
Connect your Mac to your router with an Ethernet cable. This won’t work if your Mac connects to the internet over WiFi.
Open the Surfshark app and log in with your subscription details.
Use the OpenVPN (UDP) protocol. You’ll find it in Settings > Protocol.
Connect to a VPN server in the country whose content you want. For example, connect to the UK to watch BBC iPlayer.
Add the VPN configuration. Two boxes will pop up: click Add VPN configuration on the first and Allow on the second.
Choose the VPN as the connection to share. Open System Settings > General > Sharing, then click the info button next to Internet Sharing. In the “Share your connection from” menu, choose Surfshark OpenVPN (UDP), and turn on sharing to devices using WiFi.
Create a secure network. Click WiFi Options and use these details:
1. Network Name: make up your own
2. Channel: leave as the default
3. Security: WPA2/WPA3 Personal
4. Password: make up your own
Start sharing. Turn on Internet Sharing and click Start when the prompt appears.
Move your Chromecast onto the new network. See the steps below.

How to Connect Your Chromecast to the Shared Network

Your phone has to join the same network as your Chromecast, or you won’t be able to cast to it. Connect your phone to the new network first, and don’t run a VPN on the phone itself. Then move your Chromecast across:

Chromecast (3rd Gen): In the Google Home app, touch and hold your Chromecast’s tile, then go to Settings > Device information > WiFi > Forget this network. Set the Chromecast up again on the new network. It can only remember one network at a time, so you’ll repeat this to switch back.
Chromecast with Google TV (4K or HD): Select your account icon in the top right of the TV screen, then go to All settings > Network & Internet and choose the new network.
Google TV Streamer: Select All settings in the top right of the TV screen, then go to Network & Internet and choose the new network.

4. Install a VPN on Your Router

A VPN router covers every device on your network, including the Chromecast (3rd Gen), without a computer left running. It’s the best long-term setup for any Chromecast.

VPN routers are less flexible than the other methods, though, and setup can be complicated.

Switching country normally moves every device in your home, which gets frustrating if you change Netflix regions often. Your router’s processor also caps your VPN speed, so an older or budget model can struggle with 4K.

Device groups solve the switching problem. ExpressVPN is one of the rare VPN services with its own router app, which runs on selected Asus, Linksys, and Netgear routers and on its own routers. It lets you create up to five device groups, each connected to a different VPN location.

ExpressVPN's router app allows you to add devices to different groups.

Put your Chromecast in its own group, and you can change its country without touching the rest of your home. Some routers with built-in VPN clients offer similar per-device rules.

Here are the three ways to install a VPN on your router, from easiest to hardest:

Buy a router with a VPN pre-installed. This is the simplest solution. FlashRouters sells routers pre-configured with many popular VPN services, and ExpressVPN sells its own.
Use a router with a built-in VPN client. Many Asus and GL.iNet routers can run a WireGuard or OpenVPN connection out of the box. Download a configuration file from your VPN service and import it in the router’s VPN settings.
Install VPN-friendly firmware. Firmware such as DD-WRT or OpenWrt adds a VPN client to routers that don’t have one. It’s the cheapest option but the most technical, and a mistake can leave your router unusable.

Worth knowing, the Google TV Streamer can also plug straight into your router with an Ethernet cable.

How to Fix Your VPN Not Working with Chromecast

Most Chromecast VPN problems come down to one thing: your Chromecast and the device you cast from aren’t on the same network, or aren’t in the same country.

Here are the fixes for the problems you’re most likely to run into.

Your Chromecast Disappears When the VPN Is On

Turn on local network access in your VPN app. Some VPN apps block devices on your home network, which hides your Chromecast from your computer or phone. The setting’s name varies, but it’ll mention your local network or LAN.

The Streaming App Still Shows Your Home Library

Check where the video is actually coming from. When you cast from an app on your phone, your Chromecast fetches the video over its own connection, so your phone’s VPN makes no difference. Use one of the four methods above, so the Chromecast itself is on the VPN.

On a Google TV model, force stop the streaming app and clear its cache after you connect.

You See a Proxy or VPN Error

Connect to a different server in the same country, then clear the app’s cache and try again. Streaming services block VPN IP addresses they detect, and some VPN services get around those blocks far more reliably than others.

Your Google TV Loses Its Internet Connection

Check your VPN app. With the kill switch on, the app blocks all internet traffic if the VPN drops, and Google TV won’t show a notification to tell you. Reconnect to a server, or turn the VPN off.

Your Windows Hotspot Has No Internet

Switch your VPN app to OpenVPN and repeat the sharing steps. Also check that you shared your VPN’s adapter in step 5, not your WiFi adapter.

There’s Not Enough Space to Install the VPN App

Delete an app you don’t use. Both Chromecast with Google TV models have just 8GB of storage, and preinstalled apps take a big share of it. Go to All settings > Apps, pick an app, and select Uninstall.

FAQs

Can You Install a VPN Directly on a Chromecast?

Yes, on the Chromecast with Google TV (4K or HD) and the Google TV Streamer. Download a VPN app from Google Play, as in Method 1.

The Chromecast (3rd Generation or earlier) doesn’t support apps, so you’ll need to use one of the workarounds I suggest above.

Can I Use a VPN on My Phone & Cast?

Usually not. When you cast from an app, your phone doesn’t stream the video: it passes it over to your Chromecast, which fetches it over its own connection.

That means the library you see depends on your Chromecast’s location, not your phone’s. To fix it, put the Chromecast itself on the VPN using one of the methods in this guide.

Why Can't I Cast When My VPN Is On?

Your VPN app is probably blocking devices on your local network. Turn on its local network access setting, and make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same WiFi network.

If you’re sharing a VPN connection from your computer, your phone and Chromecast both need to join its hotspot.

Does the Google TV Streamer Support VPN Apps?

Yes, it runs Google TV so it can install any VPN with an Android TV app from Google Play. Its 32GB of storage also leaves far more room than the 8GB in either Chromecast with Google TV.

Will a VPN Slow Down My Chromecast?

A little, but a good VPN service won’t stop you streaming in 4K. You’ll need at least 15Mbps for 4K, or 5Mbps for Full HD, after the VPN’s slowdown.

Long-distance connections lose more speed than nearby ones, so connect to the closest server in the country you need. If you’ve set up the VPN on a router, its processor can also cap your speed.