Native VPN Support Comes to Apple TV With tvOS 17
Apple is set to allow VPN apps on the Apple TV App Store with the release of tvOS 17 this fall.
Apple, which shared details about the nascent VPN support on its website(Opens in a new window), said users can launch the move would "benefit enterprise and education users wanting to access content on their private networks" thus allowing Apple TV "to be a great office and conference room solution in even more places."
A VPN, which stands for virtual private network, creates an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server that is run by the VPN service. While hiding your browsing history from your internet service provider, a VPN also changes your visible IP address to the address of the VPN server, which makes it extremely popular for people who want to access geographically restricted content. You can take a look at PCMag's top-rated VPN services here.
As 9to5Mac reports(Opens in a new window), it's highly unlikely developers will release their VPN apps on the Apple TV App Store before the fall release of tvOS 17. Other TV streaming devices like Amazon's Fire TV Stick and Android/Google TV have supported VPN apps for a while now. CNET notes(Opens in a new window) that the only ways to get around Apple TV's lack of VPN support were to run the VPN through a router or share your VPN connection from your computer.
The tvOS 17 update is currently only available as a beta for Apple Developer Program(Opens in a new window) members, while Apple says a public beta program will be made available next month via the Apple Beta website(Opens in a new window). It won't land as a free software update for all Apple TV 4K and fourth-generation HD units (released in 2015 and later) until "this fall."
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