Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple TV content - VPN

J

jclin10

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 1, 2009
159
19
I'd like to use my Apple TV to get American and French content. I understand that I need to install a VPN to make this work and direct the VPN to France as the location.

Can I view American and French content on the same Apple TV device and just toggle back and forth or do I need two devices, one for France and one for America?
 
I've never done this before - what are the various steps I need to take to do it? Thanks!
 
jclin10 said:
I've never done this before - what are the various steps I need to take to do it? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Setup separate AppleIDs for each country you’re wanting to use apps from.
Once you have those setup just sign into each on the AppleTV.
 
Thanks! I can have two different Apple IDs on the same Apple TV?
 
Cool!

Do I need a VPN too?

And how do I toggle between different Apple IDs?
 
jclin10 said:
Cool!

Do I need a VPN too?
Click to expand...
Not to download apps or stream purchased Movies or TV Shows from other country stores, you may require one to view content that may be geo restricted on other country third party apps.
jclin10 said:
And how do I toggle between different Apple IDs?
Click to expand...
Press and hold he TV button

IMG_5322.jpeg
 
Cool, thanks

I'm really looking to access geo-restricted content

Do you know how to do that?
 
jclin10 said:
Cool, thanks

I'm really looking to access geo-restricted content

Do you know how to do that?
Click to expand...
Good to know that you have two different Apple IDs. Let's say if you need to stream French TV, log in with your French ID and select a French IP address on whatever VPN you are using.

You will need a French Apple ID and a French IP address to stream French content on your Apple TV from the USA or anywhere else.

For more information check this website about VPN for What uses.
 
I was able to access British stations (from the US) using the Private Internet Access app (subscription-based.) The last time I tried I was unsuccessful. I haven't had the time to investigate (as if I do I will spend countless hours obsessing until I figure it out.)
 
I get the sense that a lot of streaming services require a local address. I was able to get French content on Amazon Prime using my VPN just once and then after that, I couldn’t get it to work again.
 
jclin10 said:
I get the sense that a lot of streaming services require a local address. I was able to get French content on Amazon Prime using my VPN just once and then after that, I couldn’t get it to work again.
Click to expand...
Did you use a VPN server located in France?
 
If I understand all the information given here, if I have, e.g. a UK Apple ID and a VPN set to a UK server, I should be able to get UK apps and watch UK shows on my Apple TV.

Once those apps are in my Apple TV , will they still work if I forget to set the VPN to a UK server? when this happens to me on my Mac, when using Safari to watch UK TV, and I get blocked but I can clear the cache to clear the block. On an Apple TV , with an app, would I have to delete the app and start over?
 
Dc2006ster said:
If I understand all the information given here, if I have, e.g. a UK Apple ID and a VPN set to a UK server, I should be able to get UK apps and watch UK shows on my Apple TV.

Once those apps are in my Apple TV , will they still work if I forget to set the VPN to a UK server? when this happens to me on my Mac, when using Safari to watch UK TV, and I get blocked but I can clear the cache to clear the block. On an Apple TV , with an app, would I have to delete the app and start over?
Click to expand...
You do not need a VPN to install apps to the AppleTV, iPad, or iPhone from another region as long as the Apple account being used to install the apps has its region set to the apps' region.

In your case, log into your UK account, install apps from the UK store, and then enable the VPN. You will not be able to access any UK apps without the VPN enabled unless the service is not geo-locked. If you forget to enable the VPN before starting the app, use the remote to kill the app, enable VPN, and open the app.

Personally, I use a DNS service that works far better for me on my streaming devices than any VPN. I am in Canada and use my AppleTV to access USA, UK, and CA apps without having to worry about changing settings after the initial set up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dc2006ster
Audit13 said:
You do not need a VPN to install apps to the AppleTV, iPad, or iPhone from another region as long as the Apple account being used to install the apps has its region set to the apps' region.

In your case, log into your UK account, install apps from the UK store, and then enable the VPN. You will not be able to access any UK apps without the VPN enabled unless the service is not geo-locked. If you forget to enable the VPN before starting the app, use the remote to kill the app, enable VPN, and open the app.

Personally, I use a DNS service that works far better for me on my streaming devices than any VPN. I am in Canada and use my AppleTV to access USA, UK, and CA apps without having to worry about changing settings after the initial set up.
Click to expand...
Thanks.

I am also in Canada. If I understand you correctly, I could set my Canadian Apple ID to the UK, install e.g. BBC iplayer, reset my Apple ID back to Canada and then use my VPN when needed.

which DNS service do you use? I used one, I think it was called Unotelly or something like that, but it ceased to be usefull with some streamers so I did not renew it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back