How to Use a VPN with Google Chromecast

If you’re unsure which VPN setup method is right for you, use our helpful flowchart to help you decide:

We’ll run through all of the installation methods in the following sections.

1. Install a VPN on Chromecast with Google TV

Using Chromecast with Google TV allows you to download apps from the Google Play Store, so it’s easy to install a VPN on the device.

In the video below you can see exactly how simple it is, as we download and install NordVPN (and use it to unblock US Netflix, too).

We’ve also outlined the steps from the video in the instructions below.

To set up a VPN on Chromecast with Google TV:

1. Hold the Google Assistant button on your remote and say “Install ExpressVPN.” If you’re using a different VPN, just say its name instead. You can see our top-rated Chromecast VPNs here.
2. Select Install. The VPN app will now download and install, so it might take a few minutes.
3. Select Open.
   
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. The process varies between VPN services, but you’ll have to either log in to your existing account or create a new one.
5. Confirm the connection request. Your TV will say that your VPN wants to set up a VPN connection that allows it to monitor network traffic. Click OK.



6. Connect to a VPN server. If you want to watch geo-blocked content, connect to a server in the country hosting the content you want to see. For HBO Max, connect to a US server.
7. Stream. Open your streaming app and you’ll be able to access content from the country you’ve connected to.

2. Mirror Your Screen to Chromecast

You can mirror your screen from any computer using the Google Chrome browser. Then, connect your computer to a VPN to watch streaming content on your Chromecast.

This is the easiest and quickest way to use a VPN with an older Chromecast dongle.

This method works using Google Chrome on Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux. However, the streaming quality will be worse than the other methods we cover.

Here’s how to use Chromecast from the Google Chrome browser:

1. Make sure your computer is disconnected from the VPN.
2. Open Google Chrome on your computer and click the menu button. This is the three vertical dots or ‘kebab’ button.
3. Click ‘Cast’.
4. Click the down arrow next to ‘Sources’ and ensure the ‘Cast tab’ is selected.
5. Choose your Chromecast device as the destination.
6. Open the VPN app on your computer. Make sure local network discovery is enabled in the app’s settings.
7. Connect to a VPN server. Choose a server in the country where you want to appear to be. For example, to watch US Netflix, connect to a server in the US.
8. Start streaming. The content will automatically show on your Chromecast.

3. Set up a Virtual Router Using Your PC

You can share your VPN connection from your PC to your Chromecast. With this, when you change your PC’s location with a VPN your Chromecast will do the same.

However, to do this you need to have the computer available and switched on while you watch your movies. This means it’s not great as a long-term solution, but it’s an inexpensive and relatively simple way to unblock content on your Chromecast.

The setup method differs depending on what operating your system is running. We have instructions for both Windows and Mac devices.

Set up a Virtual Router on Windows 10

Sharing your connection is easy in Windows 10. Here’s how you do it:

1. Set up your virtual router. Enter the following command in the command line window: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NETWORKNAME key=PASSWORD. Note: NETWORKNAME and PASSWORD are placeholders you need to replace with your own network name and a strong password.
2. Turn on the virtual router. Enter:
   netsh wlan start hostednetwork
3. Check it’s running. It should say “The hosted network started.”
4. Find your virtual router’s name. Press Windows key + R and enter ncpa.cpl. Find the WiFi connection you just made and make a note of its name, which is in bold.
5. Download the VPN app. Subscribe to your preferred VPN and install it on your computer.
6. Make sure you are disconnected from the VPN.
7. Turn on the Mobile Hotspot. Use the Start button, then go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot. Turn it on.
8. Go to your VPN properties. You’ll find them in Settings > Network & Internet > Change adaptor options. Look for your VPN’s Tap Adapter. Right-click it and select Properties.
9. Enable other devices to connect to your VPN. Click the Sharing tab and select the checkbox beside “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.”
10. Choose the connection to share. Where it says ‘Home networking connection’, open the menu and choose the hotspot you created.
11. Connect the VPN. Open the VPN app on your computer. Set it to use the OpenVPN protocol if available. Connect to a VPN server in the country that hosts the content you want to watch. Choose a US server for US Netflix.
12. Connect both your mobile device and Chromecast to the new WiFi network. To set up a new WiFi network on Chromecast, forget the existing one in the Google Home app. Go to Settings > WiFi > Forget this network. You can then set up a new WiFi network.
13. You’re ready to stream. You’ll now be able to watch geo-locked content on your Chromecast. If you want to change location, just reconnect to a different VPN server on your PC.

Set Up a Virtual Router on macOS

You can also create a mobile hotspot to share your VPN-protected connection from your macOS computer. You will also need an Ethernet cable to do this. If your Mac doesn’t have an Ethernet port, use a USB adapter.

Other publications claim you can only share a Mac’s VPN connection via the L2TP/IPsec protocol. However, we’ve discovered that you can actually share the connection via OpenVPN (UDP).

Our method works best with Surfshark. Surfshark allows you to share its OpenVPN connection from Mac, which will give you fast speeds and strong security.

In contrast, ExpressVPN, and most of our other top Chromecast VPNs, only allow you to share a Mac connection using the L2TP/IPsec protocol. L2TP/IPsec has known security flaws. We strongly recommend you don’t encrypt any VPN connection using it.

Here’s how to share your VPN from your Mac with Chromecast:

1. Download the Surfshark app from the Mac App Store.
2. Connect your Mac to your router with an Ethernet cable. This won’t work if you connect using WiFi.
3. Open the Surfshark app. It’ll open in your Mac’s menu bar.
4. Use the OpenVPN (UDP) protocol. You’ll find this in Settings > Protocol.
5. Connect to a VPN server in the country whose content you want. For example, to watch BBC iPlayer, connect to the UK.
6. Add VPN configuration. Two boxes will pop up, click ‘Add VPN configuration’ on the first and ‘Allow’ on the second.
7. Share your VPN connection on WiFi. Return to System Preferences, and click Sharing. Select Internet Sharing and choose ‘Surfshark OpenVPN (UDP)’ from the ‘Share your connection from’ dropdown menu
8. Create a secure connection. Click WiFi Options and use these details:
   • Network Name: (make up your own)
   • Channel: leave as the default
   • Security: WPA2 Personal
   • Password: (make up your own)
9. Start sharing. Return to the Sharing menu and tick the Internet Sharing checkbox. When the prompt appears, click Start. Once activated, a green light will appear next to ‘Internet Sharing’ and the WiFi symbol in your Mac’s menu bar will display an upwards facing arrow.
10. Connect both your Chromecast and mobile device to the new shared WiFi connection. They must be on the same WiFi network. To set up a new WiFi network on Chromecast, forget the existing one in the Google Home app. Go to Settings > WiFi > Forget this network. You can then connect to your new virtual router. Use the password you created in Step 8 above.

4. Install a VPN On Your Router

Installing a VPN on your router protects all of the devices on your network. That includes your Chromecast and the mobile device you use to control it.

Setup is complicated, and VPN routers are less flexible than other approaches. It’s harder to switch your server location too, which might be frustrating if you need to change Netflix regions to find your favorite films.

ExpressVPN is one of the only services that provides an app for routers, making it the best Chromecast VPN to use for this method. Alternatively, you can use another top-rated router VPN, like NordVPN or IPVanish, but the configuration will be more difficult.

You have three options to get a VPN on your router:

1. Buy a router with a VPN pre-installed. This is the simplest solution. FlashRouters provides routers with many popular VPN services pre-installed.
2. Update your existing router with VPN firmware. Firmware is the software in your router that controls the hardware. Your VPN software will run on top of it. If your router is compatible with VPN software but does not have compatible firmware, you’ll need to update the firmware.
3. Buy a router that supports VPNs. You can remove the difficulty and the risk of setup by getting a router that already has VPN-friendly firmware installed. You simply subscribe to a VPN and follow the VPN provider’s instructions to install the VPN on the router. We recommend the Linksys WRT3200ACM and Netgear R6400 as great value options.

For more detailed instructions, read our in-depth guide to installing a VPN on your router.

Once you’ve installed the VPN, simply connect your Chromecast and other devices to your WiFi network in the usual way. All of the internet traffic sent through your router will now be protected by the VPN.

See how we evaluate VPN services by reading our complete and unbiased VPN review process.

Based on our latest tests, the three best Chromecast VPNs are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.

These three VPNs all have Google TV apps, so they’re easy to install on the most recent Chromecast model. They also work well with streaming apps, and you can even install them on your home router.

The Top 3 Chromecast VPNs Compared

Below is a table summarizing how ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark compare:

	Countries	Router App	Netflix Libraries	Prime Video	BBC iPlayer	Speed	Cheapest Price
ExpressVPN	94	Yes	19	Yes	Sometimes	88Mbps	$6.67
NordVPN	59	No	15	Yes	Yes	93Mbps	$3.29
Surfshark	100	No	31	Yes	Yes	85Mbps	$2.30

1. ExpressVPN: Best Overall VPN for Chromecast

PROS	CONS
Works with 19 different Netflix libraries Easy-to-use Google TV app Fast download speeds for HD streaming Dedicated app for routers Huge server network 24-hour live chat support	Doesn’t always work with BBC iPlayer Expensive

The overall best VPN for Chromecast is ExpressVPN, no matter which version of Chromecast you are using.

ExpressVPN is more expensive than many other VPN services, but it’s the best VPN for streaming, with many benefits that make it worth the higher price.

In our tests, we found that ExpressVPN works with 10 different Netflix regions, including the US and the UK.

We also unblocked numerous other popular streaming services on our Chromecast, including HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

In fact, ExpressVPN is our top-rated VPN for HBO Max, and many other popular streaming platforms.

ExpressVPN is also the only VPN to come with a dedicated router app. If you’re using an older Chromecast model, you can easily change your server location and configure any settings.

The main downside to using ExpressVPN with Chromecast is that it doesn’t always unblock BBC iPlayer. For reliable access to the BBC’s streaming app, NordVPN is a better choice.

Moreover, we want to see the VPN update its app for Chromecast with Google TV. The VPN works fine, and is easy to use, but it’s not optimized for a larger TV screen.

ExpressVPN’s Chromecast app also needs Dark Mode, as the white interface is jarring for late-night TV watching.

Although ExpressVPN is fairly expensive on shorter plans, you can prepay for a longer plan to reduce the monthly cost by 49%.

When signing up through the Chromecast with Google TV, you can also take advantage of ExpressVPN’s seven-day free trial.

2. NordVPN: Fastest VPN for Chromecast

PROS	CONS
Always works with BBC iPlayer Very fast speeds using NordLynx protocol Huge global server network Optimized app for Google TV Strong encryption and security features	No router app

Our speed tests show that NordVPN is the fastest VPN for streaming. You can enjoy HD and 4K video streams without buffering.

We recorded average speeds of 80Mbps when connecting with the VPN to our six test server locations.

Unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN’s Google TV app is well-optimized for a larger TV display. The interface is intuitive and simple to use but still manages to display a large amount of information.

The VPN app also comes with a kill switch, so that you don’t accidentally leak your true IP address if your VPN connection suddenly disconnects.

NordVPN is also our top-rated VPN for BBC iPlayer. Few other VPNs work so consistently with the streaming service, especially on Chromecast.

However, a significant drawback to using NordVPN with Chromecast is that it doesn’t come with an app for routers. This makes it much more difficult than with ExpressVPN to manually set up and configure a VPN router.

You can take advantage of NordVPN’s free seven-day free trial when signing up through Google TV. If not, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee available.

3. Surfshark: Best Budget VPN for Chromecast

PROS	CONS
Costs just $2.30 per month Works with 32 Netflix regions, including US Huge global server network Impressive app for Android TV Helpful 24/7 customer service	Slow download speeds No dedicated app for routers

Surfshark is our favorite budget VPN in 2023. It costs less than half the price of ExpressVPN but still includes almost as many features.

You can purchase a Surfshark subscription for as little as $2.30 when paying for two years upfront.

Alternatively, you can use its seven-day Google TV free trial, or use the VPN for longer and get refunded using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark works with Netflix in over 30 regions, including the US, UK, Japan, and Germany.

If you connect to a server in an unsupported Netflix region, the VPN app automatically reroutes you to the American Netflix library. This is a great feature if you’re located far away from the US, but still want fast speeds from a nearby VPN server.

Like NordVPN, Surfshark sells preconfigured DD-WRT routers if you don’t want to set it up yourself.

However, it doesn’t come with an app for routers, which is disappointing. Changing server location and configuring any VPN settings will be more difficult than with ExpressVPN.

Speed-wise, Surfshark is slower than both ExpressVPN and NordVPN. From our latest tests, we measured a 27% speed loss on international connections while using Surfshark.

Changing Netflix region on your Chromecast is easy, but the method does depend on which model you have and the installation method you used when setting up your VPN.

Here’s how to watch Netflix on every Chromecast device with a VPN:

Chromecast with Google TV

Open the VPN app on your Chromecast. Connect to a server in the country that has the Netflix content you want.

Open the Netflix app on your Chromecast with Google TV and start streaming. If you’re still not seeing the Netflix content you want to watch, select ‘Get Help’ in settings and click ‘Reload Netflix’.

Mirroring your PC or laptop screen

On your PC or laptop, open the VPN app or Chrome browser extension. Connect to a server in the country that has the Netflix content you want. Refresh the Netflix web page and start streaming.

Virtual router on your PC

On your PC or laptop, open the VPN app. Connect to a server in the country that has the Netflix content you want. Connect your phone to the same VPN server.

Open the Netflix app on your mobile device and cast the content to your Chromecast.

Physical VPN router

On your computer or phone, visit the ExpressVPN router dashboard. Click the three horizontal dots or the ‘meatballs’ menu button. Connect to a server in the country that has the Netflix content you want.

Wait a few minutes for your Chromecast to reconnect to the router. Open the Netflix app on your mobile device and cast the content to your Chromecast.

What’s the Best Free VPN for Chromecast?

After testing over 20 free VPNs on our Chromecast, we found that Windscribe is the best free VPN.

The free VPN works with BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and 6 Netflix libraries.
Unfortunately, it cannot unblock US Netflix.

It’s also safe, fast, and uses the same AES-256 encryption as premium VPNs.

That said, all free VPNs come with restrictions. Windscribe’s subscription gives you just 10GB of data per month, which isn’t enough for regular streaming on your Chromecast.

You can read more in our full Windscribe review or read our list of the best overall free VPNs.

Make sure to avoid most popular free VPNs, like Hola and SkyVPN. We discovered that many of these VPN services log user activity, don’t encrypt traffic, and leak IP or DNS data.

Why Can’t I Cast When Using a VPN?

When casting content, your phone does not stream the video, it simply passes the file over to your Chromecast. For this to work, both devices need to be connected to the same network. When just your phone is connected to a VPN, the Chromecast cannot receive the content, and the video will fail to load.

To fix this, connect both your phone and Chromecast to the same VPN server. You can read how to do this here.

Can I Change My Google Play Country with a VPN?

Yes, you can easily change your Google Play region when using a Chromecast VPN. To do this:

1. Connect to a VPN server in the country that has the app you want.
2. Hold the Google Assistant button on your remote and say “Open Google Play Store”.
3. Search for the app from within Google Play.

This will allow you to download Android TV apps that are only available in certain regions, such as Hulu and BBC iPlayer.

Can I Use Smart DNS with Chromecast?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to use Smart DNS with any Chromecast device. This is because the Chromecast is hardwired to only communicate with Google’s DNS servers, even if you configure your router to use your VPN’s Smart DNS tool.