How to Setup & Use Surfshark on Apple TV? (2026)

Written by Bram Jansen Fact-checked by Kevin Parker Updated on

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Surfshark now has a native Apple TV app, so on an Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K running tvOS 17 or later, you can install it straight from the App Store. On an Apple TV that can’t run the app, set Surfshark up on a router, share it from a Windows PC, or use AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad.

After reading this guide, you’ll be able to access geo-restricted streaming apps, like HBO Max, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer, on your Apple TV.

Without further ado, here’s how to install and use Surfshark on Apple TV in no time.

Use Surfshark With Apple TV

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Step-By-Step Guide to Install Surfshark on Apple TV

guide to install surfshark on apple tv

You can use one of the following methods to unblock and stream Apple TV content with your Surfshark VPN:

  1. Install the Surfshark App on Apple TV (tvOS 17 or later).
  2. Set Up a Virtual Router Using Your PC.
  3. Install Surfshark on your WiFi Router.
  4. AirPlay Using Surfshark From an iPhone or iPad.

Method 1: Install the Surfshark App on Apple TV

Surfshark ended its SmartDNS service in February 2026, and its tvOS app is now the simplest way in. SmartDNS only rerouted a handful of US streaming sites, while the app is a full VPN: it encrypts your traffic and lets you pick servers in 100 countries.

The app runs on Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models with tvOS 17 or later. Here’s how to set it up.

  1. Get a Surfshark subscription.
  2. Make sure your Apple TV is up to date. Navigate to “Settings” on your Apple TV.
navigate to settings on your apple tv
  1. Click “System,” then “Software Updates,” and select “Update Software.” Install anything it offers so you’re on tvOS 17 or later.
click system
  1. Return to the home screen, open the App Store, search for “Surfshark VPN,” and download the app.
  2. Open the app and log in. You can type your email and password, choose “Continue with Apple,” or scan the on-screen QR code with your phone’s camera.
  3. Pick a server location from the list and click it. For example, choose the United States for Hulu or the United Kingdom for BBC iPlayer.
  4. The first time you connect, press “Allow” so tvOS can add the VPN configuration. Your new IP address then appears on screen.
  5. Open your streaming app and start watching.

Older Apple TVs that can’t run tvOS 17 still work with Surfshark through Methods 2 to 4 below. If you’d rather not involve a PC, router, or phone, NordVPN still offers SmartDNS for devices without a VPN app, covering US services such as Netflix Originals, Prime Video, and HBO Max (here’s how to set it up).

Keep in mind that SmartDNS doesn’t encrypt your connection or hide your IP. It only redirects traffic from specific streaming sites to proxy servers.

Method 2: Set Up a Virtual Router Using Your PC

I’ll use my Windows 10 PC for this method, since Surfshark says only a Windows device can share its VPN connection over a hotspot. I am also assuming that you’ve installed Surfshark on your PC. If you don’t have a Surfshark subscription yet, grab this awesome deal now.

  1. In the Surfshark app, go to “Settings” > “VPN settings” > “Protocol” and choose “OpenVPN (UDP),” which hotspot sharing requires. Stay disconnected for now.
  2. On your PC, click on “Settings,” then “Network and Internet,” and then “Mobile Hotspot” on the bottom left of your screen.
  3. Turn on “Mobile Hotspot.”
turn on mobile hotspot
  1. On the top right-hand side of your screen, click “Change Adapter Options.”
click change adapter options
  1. Look for the Surfshark adapter called “Data Channel Offload for Surfshark” (the DCO adapter). Then right-click on it and select “Properties.”
right click and select properties
  1. Click “Sharing” and check the box labeled “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.”
allow other network users to connect through this computers internet connection
  1. Choose the hotspot connection you’ve created on the drop-down menu that appears. In this case, it’s “Local Area Connection 10.”
  2. Connect to a Surfshark server in the app. And that’s it! You can connect your Apple TV to your virtual router and enjoy.

Method 3: Installing Surfshark on Your Physical Router

Before you set up the VPN on your router, confirm if your router supports acting as a VPN client.

Surfshark has a helpful video to help you do that:

If it doesn’t, you’ll need to install third-party firmware. If it does, the process will look like this:

  1. Open the router configuration panel. To do this, enter your router’s IP address in your browser, just like a URL.
enter your router ip address in your browser
  • For Windows 10 users, open the “Start” menu, type “Command Prompt,” and open the program. Then type “ipconfig” and press “Enter.” Your router’s IP address is on the “Default Gateway” line.
  • For Mac users, head to “System Preferences.” Find and click the “Network” icon, select your network connection (WiFi, wired), and click the “Advanced” button at the bottom.
  1. Go to the “Network” window, and select the “TCP/IP” tab. You should see your router’s IP address listed as “Router.”
  2. Next, follow Surfshark guides for setting up a VPN. Here are Surfshark’s instructions for setting up a VPN on Tomato routers, Asus routers, and DD-WRT routers.
  1. Connect to the server of your choice.
  2. Finally, connect your Apple TV to your router. You should now be able to stream previously inaccessible content.

Method 4: Using AirPlay

In this method, you only need to connect to a Surfshark server through your iOS device and then screencast on Apple TV. However, you may not be able to AirPlay Netflix.

Follow the steps below to AirPlay content with Surfshark on Apple TV:

  1. Download and Install Surfshark on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Connect your iOS device and Apple TV to the same WiFi network. This method may not work if you use mobile data.
  3. On your iOS device, connect to your preferred Surfshark server. For example, connect to a United Kingdom server location to unblock BBC iPlayer.
connect to united kingdom
  1. Navigate to the streaming platform you want to access on your Apple TV. In this case, it’s BBC iPlayer.
navigate to streaming platform
  1. Click on the “AirPlay icon” in your screen’s top-right corner after you start watching.
click on the airplay icon
  1. Under Speakers and TVs, click “Apple TV.”
  2. The movie/TV show automatically displays on your Apple TV.

What Makes Surfshark Great for Apple TV?

what-makes-surfshark-great-for-apple-tvwhat makes surfshark great for apple tv

Surfshark’s real strengths for Apple TV are the rarely seen features it provides. 

It works reliably with most streaming services, has fast download speeds, and uses top-tier encryption.

Here’s more on what you get with Surfshark on your Apple TV.

  • A native tvOS app. On tvOS 17 or later, you can pick any of Surfshark’s 100 countries with the Apple TV remote, with no router or phone involved.
  • Supports Mac and iOS. This is fantastic for using Surfshark on another device to AirPlay content to Apple TV.
  • Optimized servers. Surfshark’s servers are optimized for all popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Sling TV, and BBC iPlayer.
  • Fast download speeds: Thanks to its WireGuard protocol, I could stream content in HD without buffering.
  • A 30-day money-back guarantee. Before committing to a long-term subscription, you can test Surfshark on Apple TV for up to 30 days. Grab these Surfshark offers to save more and test the VPN risk-free.

Surfshark Apple TV Connection Failed? (Troubleshooting)

Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for Apple TV, but you might sometimes encounter a few problems. Here are common fixes to the issues I faced while setting up Surfshark on Apple TV:

  • Switch servers: Connectivity issues are usually due to technical faults or server downtimes. Try connecting to a different server location on Surfshark.
  • Surfshark missing from the App Store: The app needs tvOS 17 or later, so update your Apple TV under Settings > System > Software Updates, or use the other three methods (virtual router, physical router, or AirPlay).
  • Verify that your Apple TV is connected to the same network as your phone: You can only AirPlay content when both devices are on the same WiFi network.
  • Allow the VPN configuration: The first time you connect in the tvOS app, your Apple TV asks to add VPN configurations. Press “Allow,” because the app needs that permission before it can connect.
  • Create a country-specific Apple ID: Connecting to a Surfshark server in another country won’t change your App Store location. To change the country with Surfshark on Apple TV, your Apple ID must be tied to the region.
  • Contact support: If you’re still having trouble, I suggest contacting Surfshark’s customer support for personalized assistance. You can reach out to them via email and live chat.

FAQs

Can I Use Surfshark on Other Apple Devices Simultaneously With Apple TV?

You can simultaneously use Surfshark on other Apple devices while using it on Apple TV. The VPN offers unlimited multi-logins, ensuring a single subscription can connect as many devices as possible.

Will Using Surfshark on Apple TV Affect My Streaming Quality?

Using any VPN, including Surfshark, on Apple TV will affect your internet connection speeds, which may impact the content streaming quality.

However, Surfshark uses fast WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols and will maintain your connection’s quality to prevent buffering, lag, or content quality reductions.

Wrapping It Up

As you can see, it’s pretty easy to set up Surfshark on Apple TV.

And with this super-specific step-by-step guide, getting Surfshark on your Apple TV should be a walk in the park!

While Apple TV has a wide variety of content for users, your options get severely limited if you’re outside the US. This is where Surfshark comes in handy to bypass geographical restrictions and access all media streams from anywhere in the world.

Ready to unlock and stream geo-restricted content on Apple TV?

Grab our one-time Surfshark discount.

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