Well-known providers of VPN services are only slowly coming out with an app for Apple TV devices – even though the technology had been announced since the summer and has been officially available since September with tvOS 17. Now ExpressVPN, one of the larger service providers like him, has done it on Monday on his blog announced. The software can be already downloaded from the App Store.
Advertisement
Log in via QR code
The app is simple in design, but it does the job: you can log in using a QR code from your cell phone (alternatively using the Apple TV remote control) and then select one of the servers in 105 countries. The VPN is then stored in tvOS and can be activated and deactivated at any time. ExpressVPN offers a variety of plans starting at $6.67 per month for 12 months.
Apple has not integrated its own VPN interface for end users. They therefore have to wait until their respective provider has a corresponding app available with which the necessary data can be written. Alternatively, it is only possible to configure via Apple Configurator 2 to be carried out, which is more for professionals.
Waiting for other big ones
It is correspondingly disturbing that other large VPN companies such as NordVPN, Proton or F-Secure / Freedome are still working on a corresponding app (NordVPN / Proton) or are not initially planning one. Technically, the implementation is not difficult, especially if a company already has an application for iPhone or iPad in its program.
Alternative can Tailscale which already exists for tvOS – but you need an exit node for this. With the Wireguard team They also seem to be working on a solution, but have not yet communicated this. Mac & i is planning an article for the next issue (and heise+) that will explain the topic of VPN and Apple TV in more detail. With the technology you can, among other things, use streaming services abroad and reach your own network securely. Apple also implemented other new functions with tvOS 17 that make the update quite exciting. You can now use an iPhone as a camera for the multimedia box and then use it to start video chats via FaceTime.
(bsc)