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How to Use a VPN on Xbox Series X|S & One
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
The simplest way to use a VPN on your Xbox is to share your VPN connection over a mobile hotspot from your PC (Windows 10 or 11). ExpressVPN is the best VPN to use since it was the easiest to set up, it delivered fast gaming speeds with low latency, it unblocked geo-restricted games, and it allowed us to get a cheaper Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Xbox consoles don’t support VPN software, so you can’t download and install a VPN app directly onto them.
To use a VPN on your Xbox you’ll therefore need to connect the game console to a device compatible with VPN software, such as a computer or a WiFi router, allowing you to route your Xbox’s connection through the VPN server.
While there are several ways to do this, we’ve selected the easiest setup methods, with step-by-step instructions that work for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our advice is based on our own testing results and is unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.
VPNs Tested on Xbox
59
Total Hours of Testing
30,000+
Test Devices
Xbox One S & Xbox Series X
Unfortunately, many VPNs aren’t suitable for use on gaming systems. Through our extensive tests, we’ve thankfully found three that are great for use on Xbox based on how easy they are to set up and how well they performed in our gaming tests.
🔄 Recent Updates
We’ve added a new VPN recommendation: NordVPN; updated our FAQs; and reworked the section on Xbox Game Pass in light of its restructuring.
How to Set up & Use a VPN on Your Xbox
To use a VPN on Xbox, you need to connect your Xbox console to a device that supports VPN apps and can share its internet connection.
Typically, this is a Windows PC or a VPN-compatible router. This method won’t work with Mac computers.
The exact setup process varies depending on the device and method of sharing you choose. For example, sharing your VPN connection through a mobile hotspot differs from sharing via an Ethernet cable.
The table below gives you a brief overview of these setup methods and how they compare:
Mobile Hotspot
Share via Ethernet
Dedicated Router App
Best for
Quick setup
Fast gaming speeds
Device coverage
Setup Difficulty
Easy
Easy
Easy
Hardware Required
Windows 10/11 PC
Windows PC & Ethernet cable
Compatible router & web-enabled device
Works with
OpenVPN only
Any VPN
ExpressVPN only
Simultaneous Device Limit
8
1
Unlimited
Speed
Fast
Very fast
Fast
Location Spoofing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Encrypts Your Data
Yes
Yes
Yes
Below are more detailed setup instructions for each method:
1. Share Your VPN Connection via a Mobile Hotspot
Pros
Cons
Takes less than five minutes
Only available on Windows 10 & 11
Requires minimal technical knowledge
Not as fast as using a wired connection
Allows easy switching of VPN servers
Only works with OpenVPN
Does not require the purchase of a WiFi router or Ethernet cable
Drains laptop battery life
Supports up to 8 simultaneous connections
Windows 10 and 11 computers can share their internet connection as a mobile hotspot, allowing nearby devices to connect to them. You can use this feature to share a VPN connection from your Windows PC to other devices, including your Xbox.
We were able to use ExpressVPN on our Xbox by creating a mobile hotspot.
As this method doesn’t require changing your router settings or purchasing additional equipment, we consider it to be the easiest way to use a VPN on Xbox.
If you have a PC running a version of Windows older than Windows 10, then we recommend you refer to our Ethernet setup method.
In the video below we demonstrate how to use a mobile hotspot to share a VPN connection with an Xbox console:
It took us under two minutes to set up a mobile hotspot and connect our Xbox.
If you prefer a written tutorial, you can follow our step-by-step instructions below:
Install your preferred VPN service onto your Windows 10 or 11 PC. ExpressVPN is currently our top-ranked VPN for Windows.
Turn on mobile hotspot. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot and toggle to On.
Make a note of your network name and password. If you want to change them, select Edit, make your changes, and click Save.
Locate the TAP adapter. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change Adapter Options. Right-click on your VPN’s TAP adapter and select Properties.
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.
Select your hotspot. From the drop-down menu under Home networking connection: select Local Area Connection*. Click OK to apply the changes.
Note: This local area connection may be numbered but it will always have an asterisk.
Start the VPN connection. Go to your VPN app and select OpenVPN as your protocol. Connect to a VPN server location of your choice.
Connect your Xbox to your hotspot. Go to Profile & System > Settings > General > Network Settings > Set up Wireless Network > and select your PC’s hotspot.
Enter in the password you created in Step 3.
If you want to check that the VPN is working on your Xbox, open the Microsoft Edge app on your Xbox console and search ‘What is my IP.’
Your search results should display an IP address from the server location you connected to earlier.
2. Share Your VPN Connection via an Ethernet Cable
Pros
Cons
Wired connection minimizes impact on gaming speeds
Only allows one active connection at a time
Works on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP
Requires a PC with an Ethernet port
Compatible with all VPN protocols
Xbox must be wired into your PC at all times
Drains laptop battery life
You can use an Ethernet cable to share your Windows computer’s connection with another device.
This method is ideal for fast gaming speeds and no lag, as the wired connection reduces your latency.
You can connect your Xbox to a VPN through a wired connection.
However, your computer must have an Ethernet port and the cable must be connected at all times while accessing online services on your Xbox.
You can find instructions for sharing your VPN connection via Ethernet to your Xbox below:
Connect your PC to your WiFi. If you’re connecting to your router via an Ethernet cable then ensure your PC has a second Ethernet port for the connection to your Xbox.
If not, you’ll need to connect to your WiFi via your computer’s built-in capability or by installing a WiFi card.
Install your preferred VPN service onto your Windows device. As we explain later, ExpressVPN performed best in our VPN tests for gaming.
Locate the TAP adapter. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change Adapter Options. Right-click on your VPN’s TAP adapter and select Properties.
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.
Select your wired connection. From the drop-down menu under Home networking connection: select Ethernet. Click OK to apply the changes.
Connect your Xbox to your PC. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your PC and the other into your Xbox.
Start the VPN connection. Run the VPN on your Windows device and connect to your preferred VPN server location.
If you want to check the VPN is working properly, start your Xbox and go to Profile & System > Settings > General > Network Settings.
Under Current Network Status it should say Wired.
3. Connect Your Xbox to a VPN Router App
Pros
Cons
Doesn’t require access to your desktop’s network adapter settings
Only works with ExpressVPN
Protect multiple devices at once
Requires purchasing a compatible router
Can be left on permanently
Installation can be difficult for beginners
Intuitive and well-designed app with advanced features
Works with any VPN protocol
By installing ExpressVPN’s dedicated router app, you can automatically encrypt any device that connects to your WiFi router, including your Xbox.
It only took us a few minutes to set up ExpressVPN’s router app and connect our Xbox.
This method is the least intrusive as you don’t have to change your PC’s network settings and you can leave the VPN running once set up.
However, it’s very expensive as you need to purchase an ExpressVPN subscription and potentially a new router if your existing one isn’t compatible.
You can find a full walkthrough of installing ExpressVPN’s router app in the video tutorial below:
Alternatively, follow our written instructions for installing ExpressVPN on a Linksys WRT3200ACM router:
Subscribe to ExpressVPN and create an account.
Locate router setup. Log into your newly created account and select Router from the devices listed on the dashboard.
Download the appropriate firmware. Select your router model from the drop-down menu and click the green Download Firmware button.
Make a note of the activation code. You’ll need this later in the process.
Navigate to your router’s settings. Open a new tab and enter your IP address into your browser to access your router’s setting. You can find out our IP address using our IP Address lookup tool.
Log into your router’s admin dashboard. The login and password are usually both admin. If you’re unable to login, you can refer to routerpasswords.com.
Upload the ExpressVPN firmware. Select Connectivity > Router Firmware Update and upload the firmware you downloaded in Step 3.
Reboot your router. Click Start and follow the prompts to restart your router.
Go to ExpressVPN’s website. Following the reboot, enter expressvpnrouter.com into your browser.
Activate your VPN router. Click Get Started and enter the activation code from Step 4.
Customize your WiFi network. Create a WiFi username and password for your new network and click Continue.
Create a router admin password. Click Continue once you’re finished.
Start the VPN connection. Connect to your preferred VPN server location.
Connect your Xbox to your router. Go to Profile & System > Settings > General > Network Settings > Set up Wireless Network > and select your router.
Once connected, your Xbox should appear as an active connection in the ExpressVPN router app dashboard.
The Best VPNs for Xbox Reviewed
Since 2016, we’ve tested 59 VPNs across three generations of Xbox consoles.
Our testing on our Xbox One S and our Xbox Series X continues to show that ExpressVPN is still the fastest and most suitable VPN for Xbox, and Proton VPN offers a good 100% free alternative.
You can quickly compare our recommended VPNs side by side using the table below:
ExpressVPN clearly outperforms the free version of Proton VPN in many areas. Unless you can’t pay for a VPN, we strongly recommend choosing ExpressVPN to avoid the limitations of a free VPN service.
Bespoke Smart DNS tool for streaming on games consoles
13,360 VPN servers in 109 countries
Robust encryption & security features
24/7 live chat support
More expensive than competitors
Doesn’t support port forwarding
High ping on some international connections
Pricing Plans
$15.99/mo
$4.99/mo over 15 months
$2.49/mo over 28 months
Servers
13,360
Countries with Servers
109
Smart DNS
Yes
Support
24/7 Live Chat
Compatible with
Windows
Mac
iOS
Android
Linux
Amazon Fire TV
Android TV
Apple TV
Router
Chrome
ExpressVPN is our top choice for Xbox users. It is the only VPN that works with every Xbox setup method, and it’s also the best VPN for gaming overall.
Its network of 13,360 servers conceals your real IP address while gaming online, while its Lightway protocol ensures your latency is kept as low as possible.
To use ExpressVPN on your Xbox, you can install its custom router app or share its VPN connection from a Windows PC. You can also use its Smart DNS tool, MediaStreamer, for streaming geo-restricted US and British content on your Xbox console.
We were able to connect our Xbox to ExpressVPN’s router app without any issues.
Easiest VPN to Set Up on Xbox
You can quickly set up ExpressVPN on your Xbox by installing its dedicated router app.
This process only takes five minutes and has the added benefit of protecting every device in your household.
Unlike other VPNs, ExpressVPN’s router app has a user interface which makes switching VPN server locations easier.
We found it particularly useful when changing our online region on Warzone and unblocking PUBG Lite, or to get a cheaper Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Alternatively, you can install ExpressVPN on a Windows PC and share the connection with your Xbox.
We tried this ourselves with ExpressVPN and were impressed by how quick and simple the process was. The VPN’s TAP adapter was clearly labeled and its customer support were on-hand 24/7 if any issues had emerged.
Fast Download Speeds & Very Low Ping
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested on Xbox, with our download speed decreasing by just 2%.
As a result, we didn’t notice any added overhead when downloading triple-A titles or playing online.
We didn’t experience any lag on Halo Infinite while connected to ExpressVPN.
We also recorded an average ping of 8ms when connecting to a nearby VPN server. This is exceptional and ensured we never experienced any lag or framerate drops while using ExpressVPN on Xbox.
You can use the chart below to see how ExpressVPN’s local ping time compares to other top-rated VPNs over a period of five years of testing:
As the data shows, ExpressVPN has consistently recorded an average ping of 8ms or less since our testing began.
In our latest tests, we recorded high ping times when connecting to servers located more than 3,000 miles away, such as a 204ms ping on our New York-Berlin connection.
However, ExpressVPN’s extensive server network covers 109 countries which guarantees you’ll always have a server nearby.
Narrowly behind in second place, NordVPN is a great choice for Xbox if you want to connect to a gaming server in a different country.
You can change regions seamlessly thanks to servers in 137 countries, which deliver an average ping time of 126ms across all locations we test.
However, the VPN becomes very expensive upon renewal, with its subscription increasing to $139.08. Plus it’s much harder to set up on Xbox because it doesn’t have a dedicated router app.
Since Helldivers 2 landed on Xbox, we’ve been using NordVPN to play securely.
Low Ping Across All Distances
The best part about using NordVPN on Xbox is you can actually make the most of its server network. The VPN doesn’t significantly worsen your latency, even over longer-distances.
We played a variety of online games while connected to different NordVPN servers and recorded our ping. Here are the results:
Server Location
Ping (ms)
US (New York)
8ms
Canada
14ms
UK
74ms
Germany
98ms
Brazil
119ms
Japan
144ms
South Africa
404ms
Australia
201ms
As you can see, the ping stayed below 120ms in most locations, only increasing once the distance exceeded 7000 miles.
This was reflected in our own experience of using NordVPN. For instance, we played several matches of Battlefield 6 and Fortnite while connected to a NordVPN server in Egypt, and we never lagged or disconnected.
Our hit detection was very consistent, too, despite us often connecting to distant servers in an attempt to bypass skill-based matching.
Easy to Use on Xbox
You have multiple setup options for getting NordVPN on Xbox: Smart DNS, mobile hotspot, and router installation.
The easiest is Smart DNS, which you can configure in your Xbox settings; however, it only unblocks US streaming services and won’t encrypt your connection.
We had the best user experience using a Windows mobile hotspot to share our NordVPN connection with our Xbox. While not quite as simple as Smart DNS, the setup didn’t take us long and you can easily switch server locations.
Unlike ExpressVPN, there’s no router app. You can either manually install NordVPN on your router, which is difficult, or buy one pre-flashed from a reputable vendor.
If you opt for this method, you can only have one server location active at a time. We suggest using split tunneling on your router so that only your Xbox is routed through the VPN server, while your other devices are left unaffected.
Allows manual router installation on its free plan
Excellent download speeds & low ping
WireGuard support
Blocks streaming on your Xbox
Only has 10 server locations
No dedicated router app
No smart DNS tool on either plan
Doesn’t support port forwarding
Can't choose your server location
Servers
2,000
Countries with Servers
10
Smart DNS
No
Support
Email & Online Resources Only
Compatible with
Windows
Mac
iOS
Android
Linux
Amazon Fire TV
Android TV
Apple TV
Router
Chrome
Thanks to its unlimited data and robust security features, Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Xbox.
It doesn’t require any payment details to set up and it’s the only trustworthy free VPN compatible with router software, making it the best free VPN service for routers.
As a free VPN service, it does come with some limitations. Most notably, you can’t use the free version of Proton VPN to unblock geo-restricted streaming services on your Xbox, and it only has servers in 10 countries.
While connected to a nearby server, Proton VPN only decreased our Xbox’s download speed by 1% with an average ping of 9ms.
These are excellent results and ensured we rarely experienced any lag or FPS drops while gaming with Proton VPN Free.
That said, we did occasionally record slower download speeds during peak times for online gaming, specifically between 5 and 9pm PST.
This isn’t helped by the fact that Proton VPN only provides access to 2,000 free servers, which limited the available bandwidth on its server network.
Highly Secure but with Some Limitations
Proton VPN Free uses ChaCha20 to encrypt your Xbox’s connection and tunnels it securely using WireGuard. This protects your console against ISP throttling and attacks from malicious third-parties by concealing your real IP address.
We used a packet analyzer to verify that Proton VPN encrypted our Xbox’s connection.
Though secure, Proton VPN isn’t the easiest VPN to set up on Xbox. You can manually install the VPN on your router, which is rare for a free VPN, but this process is overly technical compared to using ExpressVPN.
In our own testing we managed to connect our Xbox to the VPN via a hotspot, but we would’ve appreciated a simpler alternative like a dedicated router app.
Once set up, you won’t be able to stream any geo-restricted content on your Xbox as Proton VPN blocks streaming traffic on its free plan.
You can use a VPN to change your online location on Xbox or hide your real IP address from third-parties.
There are more specific use cases, such as protecting against cyber attacks or altering your network settings, but these are often false or misrepresented.
We’ve provided a detailed breakdown of everything you can actually do with a VPN on Xbox as well as dispelling popular misconceptions in the section below:
1. Bypass ISP Throttling
Your Internet service provider (ISP) may throttle your internet connection if you carry out bandwidth-intensive tasks such as 4K streaming, torrenting, and gaming. This will slow down your download speeds and increase your latency.
Although this is unlikely to happen on your household’s local network, it can happen in public spaces with shared bandwidth such as hotels or college accommodation.
If you tend to travel with your Xbox or are currently living in a communal accommodation, then your connection might be throttled in an attempt to reduce your bandwidth consumption.
ISPs may throttle your connection if you regularly stream, game, or torrent.
To prevent ISP throttling, you can encrypt your Xbox’s internet traffic with a VPN so your ISP can’t see the nature of your traffic and therefore can’t throttle your connection.
2. Change Your Online Gaming Region
The vast majority of multiplayer games assign you to a region, and in turn a server, based on your real life location.
You can use a VPN to change your Xbox’s location to a region of your choice. Typically, this is used to bypass skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) on competitive shooters such as Call of Duty.
We were able to manually change our gaming region in Fortnite’s game settings.
You can do this by connecting to a region with a smaller player base such as New Zealand or Egypt. This forces the matchmaking algorithm to prioritize filling the lobby with players, rather than matching by relative ability which results in easier opponents.
In some cases, changing your gaming region can also improve your online connectivity and reduce lag. This only works in instances where the VPN server is located closer to the video game server than your real life location.
Despite what other publications claim, this is extremely rare, and using a VPN actually tends to increase lag.
3. Get a Cheaper Xbox Game Pass Subscription
Many Xbox gamers use VPNs to get cheaper games pass subscriptions by connecting to a different region. The trick still works in 2026, but Microsoft changed the rules in October 2025, so the savings are smaller than they used to be.
Before you begin, make sure any existing game pass subscriptions expire first.
Follow these steps to get a cheaper Games Pass subscription with a VPN:
Subscribe to a VPN recommended for Xbox. We suggest using ExpressVPN.
Launch your VPN and connect to a region where Xbox Game Pass is cheaper. We recommend Argentina, India, Japan, or Turkey.
Purchase an Xbox Game Pass Essential subscription. You can stack up 3 years of Essential time.
Convert from Essential to Ultimate within your Xbox account. Purchase 1-month of Ultimate to convert your Essential game pass time.
4. Access Geo-Restricted Streaming Services
You can use a VPN to stream geo-blocked streaming content on your Xbox such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.
We used ExpressVPN to stream BBC iPlayer on our Xbox.
This works by replacing your real IP address with the IP address of the VPN server, allowing you to spoof your Xbox’s online location. For example, we unblocked BBC iPlayer on our Xbox One by connecting to a UK ExpressVPN server.
This method also works with US Netflix and international Netflix libraries. You simply connect to the relevant VPN server location and then restart your Netflix app on Xbox. To do this, hover over the Netflix app, press the menu button on your Xbox controller, and select Quit from the list of options.
5. Activate Game Keys
It’s widely reported that you can use a VPN to activate a region-locked game key from a cheaper region. We’ve verified this in our own testing but it does come with several drawbacks to consider.
Most notably, your VPN may not always work to bypass the region restriction as Microsoft continually updates its database of VPN IPs.
Another issue is that you’ll need access to a web browser on a phone or computer to redeem your code. It can’t be activated on your Xbox as your console’s store region won’t match that of the game key.
If you want to use a VPN to activate Xbox game keys, follow the exact steps below:
Here’s how to activate a game key with a VPN:
Sign up to a reputable digital marketplace: We recommend Eneba.
Find and purchase your desired game from a cheaper region: We suggest Turkey or Nigeria.
Sign up to a trustworthy VPN: We suggest using ExpressVPN, it consistently bypasses Microsoft’s VPN blocks in our testing.
Connect to a VPN server located in the game key’s region.
Redeem your new game: You can redeem your code within your Microsoft account on any browser.
While this is a reliable and cost-effective trick, it is also strictly prohibited in the Microsoft terms of service. We’ve never known of anyone to receive an account ban for taking advantage of it, but please beware that you are doing so at your own risk.
6. Change Your Strict NAT Type
If your Xbox has a strict NAT Type, you may experience longer than expected matchmaking times and large amounts of lag in your online games. It also blocks you completely from matchmaking on games that use a peer-to-peer system for connecting players.
You can use a VPN connection to change a strict NAT Type.
By using this method, you can matchmake quicker on Xbox and improve your connectivity.
7. Protect Against DoS Attacks, but Not DDoS
If you livestream on Twitch, or generally play competitive multiplayer games, then you may have experienced a DoS attack.
A denial of service (DoS) attack is when someone uses your IP address to target your Xbox’s connection with large volumes of traffic. This can slow down your connection speed and sometimes even disconnect you from the internet.
You can connect to a trustworthy VPN to hide your real IP address on Xbox and limit the effectiveness of these attacks.
However, you can’t use a VPN on Xbox to protect against distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks as they tend to be more severe, faster, and longer-lasting.
Is Using a VPN on Your Xbox Allowed?
Microsoft’s existing policy states that VPNs can be used on Xbox and Xbox Support even recommends them as a means for preventing DoS or DDoS attacks:
Microsoft Support encourages you to use a VPN to protect your console.
Despite this, there are strict rules around the use of VPNs on Microsoft products. The Microsoft Code of Conduct warns users not to “willfully circumvent any restrictions on access to or availability of the Services,” which may apply to spoofing your online location.
Having said that, we have never known a user to be penalized for using a VPN to change their region on Xbox.
The Xbox Community Standards go on to say that action will only be taken against account holders that enact a “severe violation” of these terms.
It’s reasonable to assume that you won’t face an account ban for using a VPN to change your gaming region, as long as you don’t do so to access products or services not available in your physical location.
How We Test VPNs for Xbox
We tested 59 VPNs specifically for use with Xbox consoles and assessed their performance in six key areas: speed, device compatibility, geo-unblocking, privacy, security, and ease of use.
Speed: The faster a VPN is, the less likely you’ll encounter lagging or sudden disconnections. The most suitable VPNs for gaming on Xbox must maintain low latency and minimal download speed loss.
Device Compatibility: Since Xbox consoles don’t support VPN software, a VPN for Xbox must provide multiple setup methods such as Smart DNS functionality, connection via Ethernet cable, and/or router installation.
Geo-unblocking: We check that a VPN is able to unblock region-restricted games and streaming apps. The best VPNs can bypass most geo-blocks using Smart DNS, a router app, or sharing a connection via Ethernet.
Privacy: We analyze each VPN’s privacy policy to understand if it logs any identifying data, like your real IP address and browsing history.
Security: Gaming VPNs must have best-in-class security standards in place, to protect you while you’re gaming or streaming online. Above all, we look for AES-256 or ChaCha20 traffic encryption, a choice of secure VPN tunneling protocols, and a working kill switch (to prevent unexpected IP address exposure).
User Experience: There are multiple ways to set up a VPN on a games console, but we expect market-leading VPNs to offer user-friendly solutions even if they require some manual configuration for use with gaming systems.
FAQs
Where Can I Get a Cheaper Game Pass Ultimate Plan?
At the time of writing, the Ultimate subscription plan is cheapest in Argentina, India, Japan, and Turkey.
In Japan, the Ultimate plan costs less than $10.00 per month, which is less than any other region we’ve tested.
Will a VPN Reduce Lag on Xbox?
No, in most cases a VPN won’t reduce lag or lower your ping.
In fact, the exact opposite is true since almost every VPN worsens your latency as it adds a further ‘stop’ between your gaming device and the game server: the VPN server.
The Xbox VPNs we recommend are fast enough to minimize the added overhead, with very little impact on your ping.
In some very rare cases, a VPN may reduce your lag. For example, a VPN can prevent your ISP from throttling your connection, which improves your connection speeds.
Equally, if your ISP chooses a sub-optimal path to connect to a video game server, a VPN may route your connection more efficiently.
Is There a Free VPN for Xbox?
Yes, there are free VPNs that work on Xbox, but many aren’t safe or lack the necessary functionality.
We recommend using Proton VPN’s free tier, since it works with every setup method (including router installation) and it doesn’t impose a data cap.
