One of Surfshark’s biggest advantages over other VPN providers is its unlimited device connections on a single subscription. This makes it a great choice for families, especially when multiple members use laptops, smartphones, tablets, and streaming devices daily.

But simply sharing your login with everyone isn’t enough — if you want to maximize security, maintain good speeds, and avoid account issues, you need to set things up properly. Here’s how to share Surfshark across family devices the right way.

Step 1: Understand Surfshark’s Unlimited Devices Policy

Unlike VPNs that cap connections at 5–10 devices, Surfshark lets you connect as many as you want simultaneously. That means:

• Each family member can have Surfshark installed on all their devices.

• You don’t need to constantly sign in and out.

• Large households with smart TVs, game consoles (via router), and even travel devices can stay covered.
  
  

However — unlimited devices doesn’t mean unlimited security by default. How you share the account matters.

Step 2: Use Surfshark’s Device-Specific Settings

Every device in your home may have different needs:

• Smartphones: Enable Auto-Connect and Kill Switch so the VPN is always active, especially when using public Wi-Fi.

• Laptops & Desktops: Choose the protocol that best balances speed and security — WireGuard for daily browsing and streaming, OpenVPN TCP for more stable connections.

• Streaming Devices: Use Surfshark’s Smart DNS feature for TVs and consoles that don’t support VPN apps.
  
  

By tailoring settings per device, you ensure that each family member gets the right balance of privacy and performance.

Step 3: Secure the Account Login

Sharing Surfshark across family devices means sharing your account credentials — but you should still do it securely:

• Change your password to something strong before sharing.

• Store it in a secure password manager (like Bitwarden or 1Password).

• Avoid sending the password over unsecured messaging apps.
  
  

If you’re concerned about children or less tech-savvy relatives changing settings, you can set up VPN access via a router instead of giving them direct account credentials.

Step 4: Consider Setting Up Surfshark on Your Router

Installing Surfshark directly on your router has two major benefits:

1. Instant coverage for every device connected to your home Wi-Fi without installing the app on each one.

2. Better control over which devices use the VPN.
   
   

This is especially useful for smart TVs, older devices, and guest connections. Surfshark supports various router models via OpenVPN or WireGuard configurations.

Step 5: Manage Bandwidth and Server Choices

If multiple family members are streaming HD video, gaming, and making video calls, you’ll want to avoid slowdowns:

• Use nearby servers for the best speeds.

• Spread connections across different server locations to reduce congestion.

• For heavy streaming, pick servers optimized for Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+.
  
  

We’ve found that WireGuard + nearby servers usually delivers the fastest results for multi-device households.

Step 6: Educate Family Members About Safe Usage

Even with a VPN, unsafe browsing habits can compromise security. Make sure everyone knows to:

• Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown files.

• Always check that the VPN is connected before using public Wi-Fi.

• Keep the Surfshark app updated for the latest security patches.
  
  

If you’re traveling abroad, show them how to switch to a server in your home country to access familiar services.

Step 7: Use Surfshark’s Extra Security Features

Surfshark isn’t just a VPN — it comes with several tools that can benefit a whole family:

• CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware.

• Alert: Monitors for data breaches involving your email addresses.

• MultiHop: Routes traffic through two VPN servers for extra privacy.
  
  

Enabling these on devices used by kids or for online banking can significantly improve safety.

Step 8: Troubleshoot Common Multi-Device Issues

When sharing Surfshark across many devices, you might run into:

• Login limits: Rarely an issue, but if you see connection errors, try signing out on unused devices.

• Slow speeds: Switch protocols, use a different server, or split streaming traffic via Smart DNS.

• Blocked services: Refresh the connection or try another server in the same country.
  
  

Surfshark’s 24/7 live chat support is excellent for quick fixes if issues persist.

Final Thoughts

Sharing Surfshark across family devices is simple — but sharing it safely requires planning. By setting up per-device configurations, securing your login, and considering a router-based installation, you can make sure everyone enjoys fast, secure, and private browsing without slowing each other down.

With its unlimited device policy, Surfshark remains one of the most family-friendly VPNs available. When configured correctly, it can protect every phone, laptop, TV, and console in your household — whether you’re at home or traveling abroad.