Streaming with Style: ExpressVPN’s Apple TV App Review
Hands-On with ExpressVPN's New Apple TV App Our Impressions
ExpressVPN’s Apple TV App Our Fun Hands-On Review!
If you’re like me, you’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Apple’s latest TVOS 17 update. And boy, did it deliver! With the ability to support native virtual private network applications, I couldn’t wait to enhance my streaming experience on Apple TV by using a VPN. So, when ExpressVPN, the Editors’ Choice best overall VPN, launched their Apple TV app, I was like a kid in a candy store.
Now, I have to be honest with you—using ExpressVPN’s Apple TV app wasn’t all smooth sailing. Sure, setting it up and getting it running was as easy as pie. But when it came to streaming performance, well, let’s just say it was a bit of a headache. And that’s a real bummer because, let’s face it, the main reason we use VPNs on Apple TV is for streaming!
Setup and functionality are a breeze…
Before you can dive into the VPN wonderland, you’ll need to purchase an ExpressVPN account (if you don’t have one already) and ensure your Apple TV is running TVOS 17. Once you’ve taken care of that, it’s as simple as downloading the ExpressVPN app from the App Store.
Now, here’s the thing—I love simplicity, but this app takes it to a whole new level. It’s so bare-bones that you won’t find any options to change protocols or activate fancy features like split-tunneling or a kill switch. But hey, if accessing streaming content is your main concern, you won’t miss those bells and whistles too much. The app is a pleasure to use, with a sleek look and smooth functionality. Connecting to a server is lightning fast, and simplicity has never looked this good!
… But streaming ability is inconsistent
Alright, time for the reality check. As soon as I fired up Netflix to start streaming, a colossal disappointment hit me like a ton of bricks. Netflix flashed an error message, informing me that “a problem occurred” and asking me to “try again later.” Seriously? An SSL error, huh? ExpressVPN even has a dedicated help article to guide you through the troubleshooting process, which involves things like force-quitting Netflix and waiting for 15 minutes before attempting to stream again. Talk about frustrating!
In an attempt to salvage my streaming dreams, I tried different servers in various locations—US, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan—you name it. Sometimes it worked fine, but most of the time, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride of error messages. To add insult to injury, when I dared to connect to a server in Japan, Netflix went berserk and kicked me out. Only after disconnecting from the VPN could I regain access. Talk about testing my patience!
But fear not, dear reader, for all hope is not lost! ExpressVPN’s Apple TV app worked seamlessly with other streaming sites, such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Hulu. I binge-watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Hulu without any hiccups. So, while the issues with Netflix were frustrating, they didn’t ruin the entire streaming experience. Maybe it’s just a teething problem with ExpressVPN’s Apple TV app, or perhaps it’s a limitation within the TVOS operating system. When I reached out to ExpressVPN, they assured me there shouldn’t be an issue, but their help article dedicated to this problem speaks volumes. Hopefully, ExpressVPN will address this hiccup sooner rather than later.
The alternative contender: IPVanish
In the meantime, let me introduce you to an alternative candidate—IPVanish. I decided to put their Apple TV app to the test, and boy, was I pleasantly surprised! Accessing Netflix content was a breeze, with no roadblocks in sight. Functionally similar to ExpressVPN’s app, IPVanish dazzled me with its superior streaming capabilities. So, if Netflix is your go-to streaming platform and you’re looking to use a VPN on Apple TV, I strongly recommend IPVanish over ExpressVPN for now.
And there you have it, folks—the highs and lows of ExpressVPN’s Apple TV app. Sure, it had its fair share of inconsistencies, but when it worked, it worked like a charm. If ExpressVPN can iron out the kinks, it could be the ultimate streaming companion for your Apple TV. But until then, keep an eye on alternatives like IPVanish for a more Netflix-friendly experience.
So, have you tried ExpressVPN’s Apple TV app? Share your streaming adventures with us in the comments below! And remember, the VPN world is constantly evolving, so stay tuned for more updates and reviews. Happy streaming! 😄📺🍿
