VPN options

[gimmesomemo]

Hi,

So Im new to Apple TV. But I had an idea to get my vpn working, and well, it doesn't work.
My plan was to share my internet (with vpn) from my Mac mini -> Apple TV, so I can use iPlayer/All4 here in Germany.
I can of course Airplay from my computer to the TV, and that works fine. I just wanted to be able to use the Apps, and not have to go to my Mac each time I want to pause, or do anything.
It knows. I don't know why, but it knows. The region on my TV is set to UK, as my apple account is anyway. But it still knows.
Anyone got any working solutions?
To be honest the airplay solution is good enough, but if there is a way to do it I would be very grateful to know!
Thanks

 

[Marco Klobas]

Regional services rely on your IP address and geolocation to check your whereabouts.

With Apple TV you can either set a DNS proxy or share your Mac mini's VPN.

For the former solution, look for "UK DNS proxy Apple TV" on internet to find services that provide it.

The latter is doable by sharing the Mac mini's Ethernet VPN connection through Wi-Fi and then configure your Apple TV to use the shared Wi-Fi network: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/share-internet-connection-mac-network-users-mchlp1540/mac

Another option is to set the VPN in the router rather than your Mac, making the VPN available to all devices connected to the home network (Mac, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, PC etc.) assuming that you have a compatible router.

 

[gimmesomemo]

Regional services rely on your IP address and geolocation to check your whereabouts.

With Apple TV you can either set a DNS proxy or share your Mac mini's VPN.

For the former solution, look for "UK DNS proxy Apple TV" on internet to find services that provide it.

The latter is doable by sharing the Mac mini's Ethernet VPN connection through Wi-Fi and then configure your Apple TV to use the shared Wi-Fi network: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/share-internet-connection-mac-network-users-mchlp1540/mac

Another option is to set the VPN in the router rather than your Mac, making the VPN available to all devices connected to the home network (Mac, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, PC etc.) assuming that you have a compatible router.

I tried the sharing internet from the Mac but that didn’t work - do you have experience of it working?
I will check out the DNS, I’ve got NordVPN and I’m pretty sure they offer it.
as for router I don’t t want to go down that path. Just want a quick solution for when I’m in the mood for some Uk tv. That’s why internet sharing would’ve been nice.
I’ve come from using a nvidia shield, which had a NordVPN app, but even with all location services turned off it would somehow leak my location occasionally, making it really patchy. So I always airplayed anyway.

 

[Marco Klobas]

Sorry, I have no experience with NordVPN.

According to their support, sharing a VPN connection is available on PC only:
https://support.nordvpn.com/Connect...e-Network-connection-from-your-Windows-PC.htm

That's quite strange. It's probably the reason why it doesn't work on your Mac. Try to search for similar specific issues on internet.

I see that NordVPN offers SmartDNS: https://support.nordvpn.com/General-info/SmartDNS/1161156142/What-is-SmartDNS.htm

It seems that only US region is supported, though. BBC iPlayer is mentioned.

 

[gimmesomemo]

Oh, thanks for finding that! That is strange, surely it just shares whatever connection you have, but that would explain it. Hmm, I'll have a fiddle around when I get back home.
Like I said, always have good ol' airplay to fall back on.

 

[gimmesomemo]

So the smart dns seems to be working for all4 and iPlayer (although live tv on iPlayer doesn’t work 🤷‍♂️). Thanks for the tip, definitely a lot less hacky than airplaying!
All4 is very handy though as I forgot a free trial of their ad free subscription and got billed for a year without being able to use it 🤦
Working so nicely I’m tempted to do the HBO subscription trick using gift cards 😉

 

[Marco Klobas]

Glad to know it's working.