How to Set Up & Use a VPN on Roku

The easiest way to use a VPN on Roku is via AirPlay. It allows you to seamlessly share streaming content from your iPhone or iPad to your Roku device.

The Roku models listed in the table below support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.

Most require Roku OS 9.4 or later. However, older HD models (Roku TVs numbered 5xxx/6xxx, Roku Express, and Express+) require OS 10.0 or later. Roku Select & Plus Series TVs work on any OS version.

Device	Model number(s)
Roku Select & Plus Series TVs	All models
Roku TV (TCL, Hisense & other licensed brands)	Axxxx, Cxxxx, CxxGB, 7xxxx, 5xxx, 6xxx
Roku Streambar / Streambar Pro	9101R2, 9102
Roku Smart Soundbar (incl. onn.)	9100, 9101
Roku Streaming Stick+ / 4K / 4K+	3810, 3811, 3820, 3821
Roku Express 4K / 4K+	3940, 3941
Roku Express / Express+ (HD)	3700, 3710
Roku Premiere / Premiere+	3920, 3921, 4620, 4630
Roku Ultra / Ultra LT	4600–4670, 4800–4850 (select models)

Older Roku players (including Roku LT, Roku 1/2/3, Roku HD, and the original Streaming Stick models) don’t support AirPlay.

If you’re unsure, check your model and Roku OS version under Settings > System > About.

Unlike screen mirroring, AirPlay only shares the selected video content instead of mirroring every action on your mobile device. This prevents others from seeing your screen and maintains a much higher video quality.

As you’re streaming on your mobile, not your Roku, you don’t need to change your Roku store region. As a result, there are far fewer limitations on the streaming services you can watch.

That said, there is one major exception: Netflix doesn’t support AirPlay. You’ll need to use one of my other methods instead if you want to stream Netflix on your Roku.

Instructions: How to Set Up and Use AirPlay on Roku

1. Update the software on your Roku device. AirPlay is only available on Roku OS 9.4 or later. To update your Roku’s software, go to Settings > System update > Check now.
2. Connect your Roku and iPhone to the same WiFi network. AirPlay only works if both devices are connected to the same local network.



3. Enable AirPlay on your Roku device. From the Roku home screen go to Settings > Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.



4. Make sure AirPlay is set to On. AirPlay should always be on by default.



5. Install a VPN on your iPhone. I recommend using ExpressVPN as my top-rated Roku VPN.



6. Connect to a VPN server on your iPhone. Ensure you connect to a server in a region where your desired streaming service is available.



7. Activate AirPlay in your iPhone’s control center. You can turn on AirPlay by tapping its symbol, which looks like a triangle with three circles surrounding it.



8. Select your Roku device & enter the four digit code. The code will appear on your Roku’s screen and should be entered into your iPhone when prompted.



9. Open your streaming app. Once you select a piece of content it will automatically play on your Roku device.

You can quickly use a VPN with Roku by screen mirroring from an Android device. You don’t need any technical knowledge and the whole process can be completed in under two minutes.

It’s just a case of connecting to a VPN server, sharing your screen with Roku, and opening your streaming app.

Unlike AirPlay, screen mirroring works with every streaming service, including Netflix.

The main drawback is that Roku mirrors your Android’s screen exactly. Crucially, you can’t use your Android device until you’ve finished streaming and anyone can see your screen while mirroring.

It also tends to be a much lower video quality as the Roku is using your Android’s resolution, not its own 4K capabilities.

Instructions: How to Set Up and Use Screen Mirroring on Roku

1. Connect your Roku and Android to the same WiFi network. Screen mirroring only works if both devices are connected to the same local network.



2. Select Smart View from your Android’s quick panel. You can drag down on your Android screen to access the quick panel.

   

   Note: Smart View may also be referred to as Quick Connect, SmartShare, AllShare Cast, Wireless display, Display mirroring, HTC Connect, Screen casting, and Cast.

3. Enable Smart View and select your Roku device.



4. Click Allow when prompted on your Roku.



5. Optimize your aspect ratio. Select the option to match the output device’s dimensions.



6. Download your preferred VPN. I suggest using ExpressVPN as our best VPN for Roku.



7. Stream as normal on your Android device. Your Android’s screen will be mirrored on your Roku, including streaming apps.

You can share your VPN connection to Roku without using a router by creating a mobile hotspot on Windows 10 or 11. This method isn’t as difficult as manual router setup, and delivers better video quality than screen mirroring.

It works by turning your PC into a hotspot network that nearby devices can connect to.

By activating a VPN on your PC and sharing its virtual adapter, all connected devices (including your Roku) will route their traffic through the VPN.

Instructions: How to Set Up a VPN on Roku Using a Windows Hotspot

1. Subscribe to a reputable VPN and install it on your PC: I recommend ExpressVPN as it works with every streaming service on Roku.
2. Connect to the VPN and disconnect to create its TAP adapter.
3. Turn on mobile hotspot: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot and toggle to On.

   

4. Make a note of your network name and password: If you need to change them, select Edit, make your changes, and click Save.
5. Locate the TAP adapter.
   1. Windows 10: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change Adapter Options. Right-click on your VPN’s TAP adapter and select Properties.
   2. Windows 11: Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings and right-click on your VPN’s TAP adapter. From the drop-down menu, go to More Adapter options and click Edit.

   

6. Adjust your sharing settings: Click the Sharing tab and tick the box that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection”.
7. Select your hotspot: From the drop-down menu under Home networking connection: select Local Area Connection*. Click OK to apply the changes.
1. Note: This local area connection may be numbered, but it will always have an asterisk.



8. Start the VPN connection: Launch the VPN app and select OpenVPN as your protocol.

   Connect to a VPN server in a region that hosts the content you want to watch. For example, choose a US server for Hulu.

9. Connect your Roku to your PC: On your Roku go to Settings > Network > Set up connection > Wireless and select your PC’s connection.

Smart DNS lets you watch geo-restricted content from around the world by routing your DNS queries.

Unlike a VPN, it won’t encrypt your connection or hide your IP address, but the lack of encryption makes it faster and great for 4K streaming.

Annoyingly, you can’t edit DNS settings directly on a Roku device.

You need to configure Smart DNS on your WiFi router instead, which your Roku automatically inherits once it connects.

Many VPN services include a Smart DNS tool in their base subscription (like ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer or NordVPN’s SmartDNS) so you may already have access to one.

Instructions: How to Set Up Smart DNS on Roku

1. Subscribe to a VPN service with Smart DNS. I recommend ExpressVPN.
2. Log into your account dashboard and locate your DNS settings.
3. Enable Smart DNS and make a note of your DNS IP addresses. You’ll be asked to register your real IP address, which is perfectly safe.
4. Go to your router’s admin panel. You can normally do this by typing 192.168.1.1 into your browser.
5. Log into your router. Unless you’ve changed them before, your username and password should be “admin“.
6. Find your WAN or LAN Network Settings and replace the default DNS IP addresses. Remember to enter your VPN’s DNS IP addresses from Step 3.
7. Restart your router and Roku.

There’s one big caveat that most sites won’t tell you: Netflix on Roku hardcodes Google’s DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) directly into its app.

To force the Roku to fall back to your router’s Smart DNS, you must block Google DNS by creating two static routes in your router admin panel:

Route 1:

• Destination IP: 8.8.8.8
• Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255
• Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (or an unassigned LAN IP like 192.168.1.254)

Route 2:

• Destination IP: 8.8.4.4
• Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255
• Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (or an unassigned LAN IP like 192.168.1.254)

You can get a VPN on Roku by connecting your Roku device to a WiFi router that’s running VPN software.

This alone won’t change your Roku store location, but it can be used to unblock regional libraries within a Roku channel, such as US Netflix.

I won’t sugarcoat it: manually installing a VPN on your router is hard and time-consuming.

To bypass this completely, I recommend either purchasing a router pre-flashed with a VPN or buying an ExpressVPN Aircove router.

Both options provide near-instant setup and a permanent solution to using a VPN on your Roku.

In my opinion, Aircove has the edge as it gives you access to ExpressVPN’s one-of-a-kind router app. This browser-based app has a GUI and almost full feature parity with its desktop counterpart.

VyprVPN can’t unblock HBO Max, Disney+, or Hulu, and it only unblocks 2 Netflix libraries. I was also disappointed by the removal of its router app, making it harder to use the VPN with Roku.

PureVPN fails to unblock Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and US Netflix. It also claims to have a router app, but I couldn’t get it to work on my Linksys router and the setup instructions were outdated.

Mullvad doesn’t make any attempt to focus on streaming and won’t unblock most streaming services.

• Test Conducted: I checked each VPN for the availability of a dedicated router app, pre-flashed router support, or VPN software that can be manually installed on a router.
• Why It’s Important: Installing a VPN on router shares its protection with all connected devices, including Roku. This allows you to bypass the lack of native VPN support on Roku devices.
• Optimal Result: A dedicated VPN app for routers with a GUI, easy installation, and full feature parity with its desktop counterparts.

• Test Conducted: I tested each VPN with the most popular Roku channels as well as geo-restricted content libraries within specific channels, like Netflix, and recorded the result. I also noted any buffering, drops in video quality, or interruptions of any kind.
• Why It’s Important: Since Roku is a streaming device, it’s essential that your VPN works with as many services as possible.
• Optimal Result: Consistently unblocks US Netflix, Hulu, DAZN, Disney+, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer.

• Test Conducted: I used our custom speed test tool to record each VPN’s connection speed while connected to servers across the globe. Testing took place over several weeks, and at different times, to minimize anomalies and account for fluctuations in VPN server load.
• Why It’s Important: To prevent buffering and drops in video quality while streaming.
• Optimal Result: An average download speed loss of below 10% across all locations.

• Test Conducted: I recorded the total number of server locations listed on each VPN’s website and compared them to their in-app server list to ensure consistency. I also used our IP lookup tool while connected to a random selection of VPN servers to verify that they were working properly.
• Why It’s Important: A large server network provides access to a greater number of geo-restricted Roku channels.
• Optimal Result: A VPN server network covering every inhabitable continent, with multiple servers per location.

• Test Conducted: I personally used each VPN across multiple platforms and documented our experience. I particularly focused on mobile apps for Roku and router apps, where available.
• Why It’s Important: A pleasant user experience ensures greater accessibility and makes everyday use as frictionless as possible. This is especially relevant when trying to use a VPN on a WiFi router or when using Android screen mirroring.
• Optimal Result: Easy-to-use apps with a GUI for desktop, mobile, and router. We expect any iOS or Android VPN apps to work seamlessly with AirPlay or screen mirroring respectively.