Does Surfshark Work With YouTube TV? (+ Unblocking Steps) (2026)

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

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Surfshark works with YouTube TV to unblock original programming and region-blocked content outside the USA.

You can also bypass MLB game blackouts on YouTube TV with Surfshark if you’re someplace where a game isn’t currently showing.

The best part is that this YouTube TV VPN works with all devices supported by YouTube TV.

I’ll show you everything you need to know in the rest of this guide.

Stream YouTube TV With Surfshark

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How to Unblock and Watch YouTube TV With Surfshark?

Surfshark provides native apps, router support, and Windows hotspot sharing to unblock and watch YouTube TV on any device. While you can use these methods on any of your PCs, mobile, or streaming units, some are best suited to specific devices.

I’ll share a sneak peek in the table below as we move into the stepwise guides to set up each device type.

Streaming PlatformDevicesSurfshark Support
MobileiOS and AndroidMobile app
PCWindows, Linux, Mac, and ChromebookPC app
Gaming consolesXbox, PlayStationWindows hotspot; Router
Smart TVAndroidAndroid app
Smart TVNon-Android e.g., Samsung, LG, etc.Windows hotspot; Router
Streaming devicesApple TV, Amazon Firestick, RokuApple TV and Fire TV apps; Router for Roku

How to Unblock and Watch YouTube TV on Mobile?

It’s best to pair the Surfshark mobile app with your YouTube TV mobile app to get the best experience. Here’s how:

  1. Get a Surfshark subscription. Save more with these discount offers.
  2. Download the Surfshark app for your mobile device. I’ll use an iOS device for this example.
downloading surfshark app
  1. Launch the app and log in with your Surfshark credentials.
  2. Choose a preferred streaming protocol. Go through Settings > VPN Settings > Protocol. I recommend WireGuard or IKEv2 for fast streaming and security.
locating ikev2 and wireguard protocols on surfshark
  1. Go to the Surfshark “Locations” tab and search for the United States. I recommend the Los Angeles, New York, or Las Vegas servers for the best streaming experience.
locating locations menu on surfshark
  1. Optional: Download the YouTube TV app if you don’t have it already.
  2. Launch the app and sign up or log in with your account credentials.
  3. Start streaming content like you’re in the USA.

How to Unblock and Stream YouTube TV on PC?

Surfshark has a PC app for standard PC platforms, and it’s your best bet for unblocking YouTube TV. Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Get a Surfshark subscription.
Surfshark 2 Year Plan Price
Image for illustration only. Design, deals, and details may differ. Click on the image for current info.
  1. Download and install the Surfshark app for your PC. I recommend getting it through the official Surfshark download page.
download surfshark
  1. Launch the app and log in with your account credentials (from step #1).
  2. Choose a preferred protocol. Go to Settings > VPN Settings > Protocol. I recommend WireGuard.
surfshark automatic protocol
  1. Go to the Surfshark “VPN” tab to return to the homepage and search for the United States. I recommend the New York server.
locating vpn tab on surfshark
  1. Wait for the connection confirmation, then test for leaks. I use www.ipleak.net to test for leaks.
  2. Open the YouTube TV website. I recommend going via incognito/private browsing mode.
  3. Log in to your YouTube TV account, unblock and stream content easily.
surfshark us servers

How to Unblock and Stream YouTube TV on Smart TVs?

Android smart TV users can follow the mobile guide since they simply have to install the Surfshark Android TV app and connect to a US server. Samsung and LG sets have no Surfshark app, though, and Surfshark ended its SmartDNS service in February 2026, so the DNS trick I used to suggest here no longer works.

For those TVs, share Surfshark from a Windows PC as a Wi-Fi hotspot (Surfshark supports hotspot sharing on Windows only) or use the router setup further down. Here’s the hotspot method:

  1. Buy a Surfshark subscription if you don’t have one.
  2. Install the Surfshark Windows app and log in, but don’t connect yet.
  3. Go to Settings > VPN Settings > Protocol and pick OpenVPN (UDP). The hotspot only carries an OpenVPN connection (TCP works as a fallback).
  4. Open Windows Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot and switch it on.
windows mobile hotspot enabled
  1. Search Windows for “Network connections,” right-click Data Channel Offload for Surfshark (the “DCO” adapter), and select Properties.
  2. On the Sharing tab, tick “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection,” choose the new Local Area Connection your hotspot created, and click OK.
surfshark network connection sharing properties
  1. Connect the Surfshark app to a US server. New York and Las Vegas work best for me.
  2. On your smart TV, join the hotspot’s Wi-Fi network.
  3. Launch your YouTube TV app and start streaming content.

Rather not leave a PC running? NordVPN still offers SmartDNS for TVs without a VPN app, and my NordVPN SmartDNS guide lists the US services it covers.

How to Unblock and Stream YouTube TV on Gaming Consoles?

YouTube TV is present on Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles, but these devices can’t download a native Virtual Private Network (VPN) app either.

While you can also join a console to the Windows hotspot (apply the instructions above), another alternative is to go via the router setup.

Here’s how:

  1. Confirm that your router supports VPNs. Here’s a short (2-minute) video to help you.
  1. Still need a Surfshark plan? Get extra savings here.
  2. Install Surfshark on your router. I’ve included video guides for setting up different kinds of compatible routers.

ASUS routers:

DD-WRT routers:

  1. Choose the US configuration files when setting up your router.
  2. Connect your gaming console to the resulting router network. It’ll also share the VPN server location your router broadcasts.
  3. Fire up your YouTube TV app. Stream YouTube originals, sports, news, and other content from anywhere.

How to Unblock and Stream YouTube TV on Streaming Devices?

You can watch YouTube TV abroad on streaming devices and boxes like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Surfshark has a native app for Fire TV devices running Fire OS 5 or later (the first-generation Fire Stick can’t run a VPN) and for Apple TV HD and 4K models on tvOS 17 or later, so install it from the Amazon Appstore or App Store and connect to a US server.

Roku can’t run VPN apps, so connect it to the Windows hotspot above or a Surfshark-enabled router.

Why Is YouTube TV Blocking My Surfshark VPN?

Your Surfshark-YouTube TV connection may not work even after you’ve set it up correctly. I’ve discussed possible issues and what to do about them.

Google Play Region Issues

This rarely happens, but Google (which owns YouTube) may pull your location information from your Play Store region to keep you from streaming YouTube TV outside the US.

This will likely affect users who stream on Android smartphones or Android-based smart TVs. In that case, you should create another profile for the US since that’s the only region where YouTube TV is supported.

I’ve found a helpful video to change your region below:

Regional Blackout Issues

You can’t beat regional blackouts (such as on MLB games) if you choose a server located in a blackout region.

For example, you won’t get a Miami Marlins game over Surfshark’s Miami server if the game is blacked out in that region. YouTube will assume you’re also in that market and keep the content from you.

surfshark us servers

Instead, connect to any of its other 600+ US servers across 20+ cities to gain access.

Read More: Top VPNs Reviewed for Youtube

Hotspot or Router Connection Not Working

If your smart TV or gaming console joins the Windows hotspot but YouTube TV still sees your real location, check the protocol first. Surfshark’s hotspot sharing only works over OpenVPN, so a switch back to WireGuard or IKEv2 breaks it.

compatible devices for surfshark
YouTube TV runs on all of these; the ones without a Surfshark app rely on the hotspot or a router

Next, reopen the DCO adapter’s Sharing tab and confirm the box is still ticked with your hotspot’s adapter selected. On a router, open the VPN client page and check that the Surfshark profile shows as connected to a US server.

Here’s what I recommend until you find what works:

  • Disconnect and reconnect Surfshark on the PC or router, then rejoin the network on your TV.
  • Forget the Wi-Fi network on the TV or console and enter the password again.
  • Switch to another US server from the list below.

Remember to restart your smart TV/test your gaming console’s internet connection after making these changes.

Wrong Server Selection

YouTube is available in almost all countries, but you can only get YouTube TV in the USA. Thus, only connect to US servers to unblock the streaming service.

That said, some US servers are better optimized for streaming than others.

I rarely have luck with the Latham, Salt Lake City, and Houston servers, but the New York and Las Vegas servers are the most reliable.

I recommend testing different servers to see which works best for you.

FAQs

Is It Illegal to Unblock YouTube With Surfshark?

It isn’t illegal to unblock and watch YouTube TV with Surfshark. However, YouTube TV sometimes blocks VPNs to enable it to stay in line with regional licensing and content distribution laws.

Even so, YouTube won’t come after you or block your account for using a VPN, and Surfshark’s servers are well-engineered to bypass restrictions anyway.

Get Your Fill of Sports, News, and Other YouTube Content

YouTube TV is home to rich sports, news, movies, documentaries, and other exciting channels you want to take advantage of. So, not being in the USA shouldn’t keep you from this content library, thanks to Surfshark.

Fortunately, Surfshark has a solution for different YouTube TV streaming devices.

So, grab these Surfshark discounts today and start accessing YouTube TV on your preferred device.

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