The upcoming tvOS 17 update for Apple TV 4K will include support for third-party VPN apps, Apple revealed on Monday.
This will allow developers to create tailored virtual private network (VPN) apps for Apple TV. Apple’s press release focused on the benefits of VPNs for “enterprise and education,” but it could also open up a world of new content to users.
The tvOS 17 update, set for this fall, brings several other features to Apple TV that will make it “more enjoyable, interactive, and fun,” the company said. While the new Vision Pro headset was the center of attention at the recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple also announced several new privacy and security features for iOS devices.
Apple TV Support for Third-Party VPN Apps
Apple’s decision to open the Apple TV to third-party VPN apps will allow users to safeguard their privacy. A VPN encrypts and routes your internet traffic through a server, obfuscating your location. This makes it difficult for hackers, your internet service providers, and other third parties to gather data about you or track your online activities.
A VPN spoofs your location by changing your IP address. Many take advantage of this to bypass geo-restriction and access new content on streaming platforms like Netflix, which have different libraries for each country/region.
VPNs also allow people in countries with strict internet censorship rules, like China and Russia, to escape restrictions and access the web.
In a statement to VPNOverview, popular VPN provider NordVPN said the company is exploring the idea of creating an app for Apple TV users but can’t guarantee it will be released once tvOS 17 rolls out as there could be some limitations.
“We are concerned that there may be some limitations for consumer VPN products and the update will only benefit B2B VPN solutions. If not, our users will be able to use NordVPN on their Apple TVs sometime in the near future,” NordVPN said.
Until now, the only way to set up a VPN on Apple TV was to install it on your router. However, starting this fall, users will be able to install VPN apps on Apple TV directly from the App Store.
Other Upcoming Updates for Apple TV
The tvOS 17 update will bring other new apps to Apple TV, including FaceTime. Users will be able to switch from their iPhones or iPads to Apple TV when making calls. Users will also be able to watch shows or movies with friends and family during a FaceTime call.
Apple announced plans to make video conferencing apps like Zoom and Webex available on Apple TV later this year.
“tvOS 17 transforms the biggest screen in the home with FaceTime and new video conferencing capabilities, giving Apple TV 4K users the ability to easily connect with anyone right from their living room,” Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said. “New features and enhancements make Apple TV simpler to use and even more enjoyable, reinforcing it as the absolute best option in the living room for Apple customers.”
Interested in learning more about how to stream content with a VPN? Check out our top picks for the best VPN for Apple TV.
