Can You Use PrivateVPN on Xbox? (With Setup Guides)

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You can use PrivateVPN on your Xbox by setting it up on your home router or sharing the VPN connection with your console via your PC.

Both setups allow you to unblock titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Fall Out: New Vegas in regions like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and keep DDoS attacks at bay.

However, PrivateVPN lacks Smart DNS, which is another intuitive VPN setup method for Xbox.

Discover how PrivateVPN makes up for the lack of Smart DNS, and learn stepwise guides to use the VPN for your Xbox.

How to Use PrivateVPN on Xbox via Home Router?

If your home router is compatible with VPN installation, you can install PrivateVPN. 

Then, the secure router connection is shared with your Xbox console to unblock games, get DDoS protection, and ensure lower ping.

Here’s the setup guide:

  1. Double-check that your router supports VPN installation. You can follow the tips in the video guide below to confirm.
  1. Get a PrivateVPN account. Grab these savings if it’s your first time.
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  1. Set up PrivateVPN on your router. The exact steps depend on your router firmware. This PrivateVPN-router setup guide is all you need.
  2. Download the correct server configuration you need on your Xbox during setup.
    1. For instance, install the US server configuration to stream Netflix US on your Xbox. Or get the UK server to unblock titles like Fortnite in Iraq and connect to British gaming peers.
privatevpn openvpn configuration files
  1. Connect your Xbox to the PrivateVPN-powered router connection. You can choose Wi-Fi or ethernet connection methods.
  2. Safely unblock Mortal Kombat 11 in Ukraine or Dead Rising 2 in the UAE, hide your IP address from peers while gaming, and bypass geo-blocks to DLCs on your Xbox.

How to Use PrivateVPN on Xbox via Virtual Router?

The virtual router method is best for users who don’t have a VPN-compatible router or want an option for more seamless server switching.

Note that this method works on Windows PCs and Macs, but better on Windows.

Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Buy a PrivateVPN plan. You can grab these discounts to save on your preferred plan.
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  1. Download the PrivateVPN PC app. I’ll use the Windows PC app for this demonstration.
  2. Install and open the PrivateVPN Windows app.
  3. Log in with your account credentials.
privatevpn log in page
  1. Click “Advanced View” if your PrivateVPN app launches in the simple view menu.
privatevpn advanced view
  1. Click “Connection Guard” and enable “IPv6 Leak Protection,” “DNS Leak Protection,” and the “Kill Switch.” These options ensure extra privacy by preventing data leaks while using the VPN on your Xbox.
privatevpn connection guard settings
  1. On the “Dashboard,” leave the “Connection Type” set to “OpenVPN (TUN+UDP+1194) (Default).”
privatevpn connection type
  1. Click “Connect Now” to get the fastest or closest available server. This is a preferred connection method if you ONLY want DDoS protection, to bypass speed throttling, or to encrypt your Xbox gaming traffic.
privatevpn connect now button
  1. Otherwise, click “Change” to search and select a suitable VPN server.
privatevpn change server
  1. Then, click the server to connect. I’ll connect to the Thailand server for this example.
privatevpn server location search bar
  1. Test for leaks to ensure you’re now browsing with the VPN’s server location.
privatevpn ip leak test on thailand server
  1. Now, set up your PC for VPN connection sharing. You can adapt the video guide below to do so.
  1. Connect your Xbox to the PrivateVPN-connected hotspot you just created on your PC. You can choose wired (ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) connections.
  1. You can now play Halo Infinite without DDoS attacks, bypass Homefront restrictions in South Korea, stream BBC iPlayer over the UK server, and forget about ISP speed throttling on your Xbox.

Does PrivateVPN Support Xbox Port Forwarding?

You can set up PrivateVPN port forwarding for Xbox games like Rocket League, Among Us, Cuphead, and other supported titles over the PrivateVPN router setup.

Unlike the traditional app setup where PrivateVPN offers preloaded ports, the VPN’s server only allows you to forward predetermined Xbox ports over the secure Wi-Fi connection.

In other words, PrivateVPN won’t provide the ports you’ll forward, but it’ll allow the open connections to go through.

I’ve attached an example video guide below, showing how to forward ports for some Xbox games on the same router you have PrivateVPN installed on.

PrivateVPN Limitations for Xbox Users

PrivateVPN excels at Xbox content unblocking and hides your IP address from sore losers and malicious gamers. However, its lack of Smart DNS may be a dealbreaker for Xbox gamers who:

  • Don’t want to get another router to install a VPN on.
  • Don’t want to go through the technicality of installing a VPN on a router.
  • Don’t need the VPN’s encryption load bearing on their gaming latency and ping.
  • Aren’t getting fast enough speeds from the virtual router setup since PCs aren’t configured to share fast speeds like routers.

Likewise, Smart DNS is usually easier and faster to set up and generally supplies faster gaming speeds.

If this is a serious Xbox gaming concern, consider the alternatives below.

Provider General Xbox Setups Unique Xbox Setups & Offerings Drawbacks Discounts
NordVPN Virtual router; Router Smart DNS; Static Dedicated IPs Lacks port forwarding Get Discounts
Private Internet Access Virtual router; Router; Port Forwarding Smart DNS; Static Dedicated IPs None Get Discounts

Improve Xbox Access, Ping, and Security With PrivateVPN

You can access more games, downloadable content, early game releases, and exclusive materials on your Xbox with PrivateVPN. Connect your Xbox to PrivateVPN servers where your preferred content is available, and you’re all set.

PrivateVPN’s servers also let you stream Netflix libraries, unblock BBC iPlayer, watch YouTube TV outside the US, and unblock more entertainment on your Xbox console.

Ready for all the fun?

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