Can you use a VPN on your Xbox?

VPNs are meant to secure your Internet connection, regardless of the device you’re using to get online. All good VPN providers offer VPN support not just for computers and laptops, but also for smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, routers and more.

Why should you use a VPN for your gaming console?

Well, the first and most important reason is the one we’ve just mentioned above. A VPN will secure your connection and keep your privacy intact while you are playing online. Hackers and other snoopers can still harm you even if you are using an Xbox, as long as you are connected to the Internet.

Another reason why you should use a VPN for your Xbox is to stop your Internet provider from throttling your bandwidth.

There are other benefits too:

• It allows you to access geo-restricted content such as Netflix and so on  
• It allows you to access new games that have just been launched but are not available in your country yet;
• A good VPN can actually reduce your lag and improve your gaming experience, because it has dedicated gaming servers

How can you set up a VPN for your Xbox

While VPNs can be used with your gaming consoles, the process is a bit trickier than with other types of devices, such as your computer or smartphone, because there are no dedicated apps available.

There are two ways to go when it comes to installing and setting up a VPN for your gaming console.

The first one is to use your WiFi router to connect your Xbox. What you have to do is install the VPN on the router. You can do that by going to the Control Panel of the router and input all the required details. Next, you have to connect the Xbox to the router, by going to Settings and setting up a wireless network.

The second method is to set up the VPN through your computer/laptop. In order to be able to do that, you have to make sure you have an Ethernet cable and your computer has adapters for both Internet and the Xbox.

If you are using a Windows PC, the first step is to install the VPN on your computer, connect the Xbox to the computer using the Ethernet cable and go to Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center – Change Adaptor Settings. Then you go to your VPN icon and select Properties and “Allow other network users to connect through this computer…”. Select Ethernet and you are good to go.

If you are using a Mac computer, you need to have the same abovementioned things (a VPN subscription, the Ethernet cable, etc.) available and follow a few steps. First you install the VPN on your Mac, then you connect the Xbox to your Mac using the Ethernet cable and go to System Preferences – Sharing – Internet Sharing – Share Your Connection From and select WiFi or Ethernet, depending on how you get Internet. Then go to ‘To computers using’ and select Ethernet. The last step is to check the box next to Internet Sharing, to enable the connection sharing between your Xbox and Mac.

Once everything is set, you just open the VPN on your Mac and connect to the server that you want.