IPVanish VPN Android TV sideload guide
IPVanish VPN Android TV sideload guide
IPVanish is a VPN service that can enhance your online privacy and security. While IPVanish offers a dedicated app for many Android TV devices, some older or less common models might not find it directly in the Google Play Store. In these cases, you'll need to sideload the IPVanish VPN app onto your Android TV. Sideloading simply means installing an app from a source other than the official app store. It's a fairly straightforward process, and this guide will walk you through the basics.
You'll typically need to sideload IPVanish onto your Android TV in these scenarios:
Your Android TV device is an older model.
Your device's version of Android TV is outdated.
The Google Play Store on your device is restricted or doesn't function correctly.
Sideloading allows you to enjoy the benefits of IPVanish, such as bypassing geo-restrictions for streaming services, securing your connection on public Wi-Fi, and preventing your ISP from monitoring your streaming activity, even if the app isn't readily available through the usual channels.
Before you begin, you'll need these:
An IPVanish subscription.
A way to transfer the IPVanish APK file to your Android TV (USB drive or cloud storage).
A file manager app installed on your Android TV (e.g., File Commander, X-plore File Manager). If you don't have one, sideload one first!
The "Unknown Sources" setting enabled. Go to Settings > Security & restrictions > Unknown sources and enable it for your file manager.
Here's the general process:
Download the IPVanish APK file from the IPVanish website on a computer or phone.
Transfer the APK file to your Android TV using a USB drive or cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).
Open your file manager app on your Android TV.
Locate the IPVanish APK file.
Select the APK file to begin the installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Once IPVanish is installed, there are a few settings to consider:
Auto-connect: Configure IPVanish to automatically connect to a VPN server when your Android TV starts.
Server selection: Choose a server location based on your needs (e.g., closest server for speed, specific country for content access).
Protocol: Experiment with different VPN protocols (e.g., IKEv2, WireGuard) for optimal performance. WireGuard is often the fastest.
Sideloading comes with inherent risks. Only install APKs from trusted sources like the official IPVanish website.
Keep your IPVanish app updated by periodically downloading the latest APK from the IPVanish website and sideloading it again.
While IPVanish enhances your privacy, it doesn't guarantee complete anonymity. It's just one layer of protection.
Performance can vary depending on your internet speed and the VPN server location.
If you experience issues, check the IPVanish website for troubleshooting guides specific to Android TV.