| Updated: December 30, 2024
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A VPN enables you to access geo-restricted content and streaming platforms on your Chromecast device. Newer models with Google TV include access to the Play Store, allowing you to download and install a VPN app just like you would on an Android mobile device.
For older Chromecast models that do not support VPNs directly, you still have options to use them with a VPN. Here are three methods you can explore:
Each of the methods mentioned above comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, casting your Google Chrome browser to Chromecast is the easiest option, but it can significantly reduce video quality.
On the other hand, creating a virtual router via PC or Mac may seem complex, but it involves simpler steps compared to installing a VPN on a router. I have mentioned all the methods and detailed all the steps to use a VPN on new and old models of Google Chromecast.
Additionally, I recommend using a premium VPN with Chromecast for the best experience. NordVPN is an excellent choice for unblocking geo-restricted content, offering highly optimized servers that work seamlessly with streaming platforms and OTT services.
A VPN changes your IP address and lets you access geo-restricted channels and streaming platforms. Installing a VPN on Google Chromecast will not only secure your internet traffic but allow you to stream endless content from anywhere.
Installing a VPN on your Chromecast devices depends on your model. Those with new models of Google Chromecast with Google TV can easily download a VPN from the Play Store and install it on their devices.
However, don’t worry if you have an older model because I have detailed the easiest way to use a Chromecast VPN with easy setup. You can mirror a screen from your PC, create a virtual router, or install a VPN on a router.
I have outlined every method with detailed, step-by-step instructions, ensuring that even those with minimal technical knowledge can easily set up and use a VPN on Google Chromecast to enjoy streaming movies and TV shows unavailable in their region.
There are multiple ways to use a VPN on your Chromecast devices. The simplest method is to download a VPN app from the Play Store and use it to unblock geo-restricted streaming apps and platforms. However, this option is only available for the latest Chromecast models with Google TV.
Here are a few methods to set up a VPN on Chromecast:
| Methods | Google Play | Screen Mirror | Virtual Router | VPN on Router |
| Set-Up Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Medium | Hard |
| Requirements | Chromecast + Google TV | Chromecast dongle + PC | Chromecast dongle + PC | VPN-compatible router |
| Drawbacks | None | Reduced picture & sound quality | A separate PC is required | Switching servers is difficult |
| Speed | Very Fast | Fast | Medium | Slow |
I will start by discussing the easiest way to set up a VPN on your Chromecast device, followed by the more complex methods at the end. Let’s begin with downloading and installing a VPN on Chromecast devices with Google TV.
Installing a VPN on Chromecast with Google TV is the easiest of the four methods. I highly recommend this approach to all streaming enthusiasts with Chromecast devices.
To get started, you will need a Chromecast device with Google TV and a reliable VPN to change your location and access restricted or unavailable content. Follow these steps to use a VPN on Chromecast with Google TV:
Search for your VPN in the field “Search for games and apps,” or hold the Google Assistant button on your remote and say the name of your VPN. I prefer searching for the VPN in the Chromecast store.
Alternatively, you can open the Google Play Store on your Chromecast device and search for your VPN provider by typing its name.
Click on the download button once you find your VPN provider’s Google TV app. It will take a few moments to complete the download and installation process. I recommend downloading a reliable VPN on your device and avoiding .apk files offered by cracked VPNs.
Log in to the VPN app after completing the download and installation process. The easiest and most convenient way to log in is by scanning the QR code on your mobile device or using a one-time password sent to your registered email address.
The VPN may prompt you to make changes to your connection and set up a VPN configuration. Proceed with the setup process to complete the configuration.
Connect to your desired location. For example, you want to access the South Korean Netflix library from the United States. Don’t open the Netflix app before connecting to a VPN if you want to change your Netflix region.
After connecting to a VPN server, open the streaming app to access geo-restricted content. In this case, I connected to a South Korean VPN server to access the South Korean Netflix library and watched a few episodes of my favorite K-drama.
By following these steps, you can set up a VPN on your Chromecast device and enjoy unlimited entertainment. Those residing in countries where VPNs are illegal or restricted should consider using obfuscated VPN servers. These servers disguise your VPN traffic as regular HTTP internet traffic, ensuring secure and seamless access.
You can set up a VPN on your PC and share the screen via Google Chrome browser to your Chromecast devices. This is the easiest method for those with an older Chromecast device and can be done with the Google Chrome browser on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
However, Chrome browser’s casting service is not built to stream movies and TV shows on your TV or Chrome device; it is built to share presentations and conduct meetings. This is why you will see a huge reduction in picture quality, and it may also affect the sound.
If you are okay with watching compressed video and have no other option, Here are the steps to cast your computer screen to Chromecast:
I have already mentioned that this method will reduce the quality of the video you are casting because Google Chrome compresses and transcodes the video when casting on another device.
Watching a movie with this technique is manageable, but don’t expect to play online games that require a low ping rate and high-speed internet. The Chrome browser will compress your FPS rate, potentially leading to a frustrating gaming experience.
If you’re on a tight budget but still want to cast your PC’s screen to your Chromecast device, I recommend using a proxy or Smart DNS. These options can unblock geo-restricted content without the cost of a full VPN service. Here’s a detailed explanation of the differences between VPNs, proxies, and Smart DNS solutions.
The third method in this article won’t reduce your video quality but is slightly more lengthy than the ones mentioned before. You can enable a VPN on your Windows PC or Mac and share a WiFi mobile hotspot with your Chromecast device.
Note: Ensure both your phone and Chromecast are connected to the same virtual router you create using Windows or Mac. If either device is connected to a different network, such as your home WiFi, casting will not work.
Here are the steps to create a virtual router via PC/Mac:
Here are the steps to create a virtual router in Windows 10:
This method allows you to quickly switch VPN servers as needed. However, it requires your PC to remain on continuously to cast the screen to your Chromecast, which can lead to higher electricity usage. I have created a comprehensive guide on setting up a VPN on Windows 10, which can be especially helpful if your VPN provider does not offer a dedicated Windows app.
Mac users can follow a similar procedure to create a virtual router and share the VPN-enabled internet connection with Chromecast. Here are the steps to do it:
Most commercial VPNs support sharing an L2TP/IPsec VPN connection from a Mac to other devices. I used ExpressVPN to create a virtual router on my Mac, utilizing the L2TP VPN protocol. While L2TP offers weaker security, it is sufficient for this purpose. There are also alternative methods for configuring a VPN on Mac that you may want to explore.
This is likely the most challenging method discussed in this article, requiring some technical knowledge and advanced configuration steps. However, setting up a VPN on your router offers the benefit of protecting all connected devices. The downside is that it can reduce internet speed since all devices share the same VPN server configured in the router settings.
To handle such situations, I use a dedicated VPN-configured router. I connect devices to this router only as a last resort. For example, setting up a VPN directly on Roku is not possible, so connecting it to a VPN-enabled router is necessary to unblock geo-restricted apps and streaming platforms.
With that said, you have three options to connect your Chromecast with a VPN-enabled router:
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Use any of these three methods to make your router VPN-enabled, then connect your Chromecast device to it. Before proceeding with this method, I recommend checking out my detailed guide on setting up a VPN on a router for step-by-step instructions.
A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, but the primary reason for installing it on Chromecast is to bypass regionally restricted content, channels, and streaming platforms. Chromecast users often rely on a VPN to access unlimited content from anywhere in the world.
Additionally, a VPN offers several other benefits as a bonus. Here are the top reasons to use a VPN for Chromecast:
| Reason | Description |
| Access Geo-Blocked Content | Use a VPN for Chromecast to bypass geo-restrictions and access hundreds of movies, TV shows, and channels. You can change your Netflix library and stream movies that are unavailable in your region. |
| Bypass ISP Throttling | Prevent your internet service provider from slowing down your connection during streaming. |
| Enhance Privacy & Security | Protect your online activities from surveillance by companies or governments and shield your device from cyberattacks. |
There is a common misconception that VPNs significantly reduce internet speed. While it’s true that your internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server before reaching the websites you want to access, this doesn’t always lead to noticeable slowdowns.
Most premium VPNs maintain high-speed performance even when used with a Chromecast device. Here are some tips and tricks for optimizing your internet speed while using a VPN.
Most commercial VPNs offer the best VPN servers and encrypt your traffic with secure VPN protocols and modern ciphers. Here are two of my favorite VPNs which I use with my Chromecast device.
NordVPN is known as the overall best VPN for streaming and has been rated the No.1 VPN by several VPN review websites like VPN for What. Privacy enthusiast influencers have recommended it, and it is the first choice of many YouTubers.
I am an avid user of NordVPN because of its premium VPN servers and modern VPN protocols. It has more than 6000+ servers in 105+ countries, which can unblock geo-restricted streaming services and websites.
It offers apps for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Apple TV, Android, etc, and can be simultaneously used on six devices. A subscription is equipped with more security features like a kill switch, Smart DNS, split tunneling, etc.
A 2-year subscription is offered at $4.49/m with 24/7 chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can get a 100% refund with NordVPN’s cancelation and refund policy under 30 days.
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ExpressVPN has been rated the best VPN for streaming in 2024. I have used it to access Hulu from outside the US, and BBC iPlayer from Canada, and I have changed Netflix regions many times. It worked every time and allowed me to stream my favorite movies and TV shows on Chromecast and other devices.
It offers highly optimized VPN servers that can support speeds up to 10Gbps. Your traffic is encrypted with the proprietary Lightway protocols, which are faster and more secure than many others. In addition, it is the only VPN with an app for routers.
The VPN has advanced security features and can be used simultaneously on eight devices. It offers fully functional apps for Windows, Mac, Android devices, and Smart TVs. A two-year subscription is offered at $4.99/m, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 chat support.
Every subscription is backed by ExpressVPN’s cancelation and refund policy, and you will be fully refunded within 30 days. If you purchase a subscription through the App Store or Play Store, you can also get a 7-day free trial.
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Installing a VPN on Chromecast allows you to access geo-restricted content from anywhere in the world, maximizing the use of both your Chromecast device and VPN subscription. Setting up a VPN on Chromecast with Google TV is straightforward and follows similar steps to downloading and using an app on an Android phone.
However, older Chromecast models do not support VPNs directly and require alternative configuration methods, which I have detailed in this article. Finally, I have highlighted the best VPNs for Chromecast. These VPNs offer dedicated apps for Google TV and can also be configured on PCs (as virtual routers) and traditional routers.
Check out these other guides on setting up a VPN:
The simplest way to install and use a VPN on Chromecast is via a virtual router. Here are the steps to do it:
There are a few things to consider before buying a VPN for Chromecast:
In my experience, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark offer all these features and are the best choice for Chromecast.
Ensure that both your Chromecast and mobile device are connected to the same network. I’ve encountered this issue multiple times when one of my devices was mistakenly connected to my home WiFi.
I tested my VPN and tried every possible solution, only to realize that casting won’t work if your devices aren’t on the same network. How can the screen be shared when they’re not properly connected?
There can be other reasons for your VPN not working, like no internet connectivity, misconfiguration, etc.
Installing a VPN on Chromecast with Google TV is as easy as doing it on an Android phone. You need to download and install the app to make it functional.
You will need a VPN to unblock content that is unavailable on Netflix. You can either create a virtual router via PC or Mac or install the VPN app on your Chromecast devices to access different Netflix libraries.
Mustafa is a cybersecurity analyst and a co-founder of VPN for What. Since 2017, Mustafa has gained international experience, working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and advisor.
