Why should you install VPNs on every device?

In a very simple sense, VPNs, or virtual private networks, allow you to encrypt your internet browsing data and spoof an IP address from a different location. This has several benefits, the most notable of which is the ability to bypass geoblocks and watch movies and shows from other countries.

But, there’s more to VPNs than just bypassing region restrictions. VPNs hide your data from your ISP, so if you’re one to torrent or simply don’t want your internet history tracked, a VPN service can encrypt that information. Using a VPN also helps you avoid getting annoying targeted ads—since your data is encrypted, advertisers won’t have any information to pull from to try and sell you something.

This is also why you want a VPN on every device you use. Using a VPN on your PC and laptop is all well and good, but if you’re not using one on your smartphone, your information will be unprotected anytime you’re browsing on it.

It sounds like it can be a pain to download an app on multiple devices, but the good news is that, overall, it isn’t. VPN services tend to make the process pretty painless.

How to install a VPN on Windows, macOS, or Linux

Every VPN we’ve ever looked at is available on Windows and macOS with no fuss. You simply go to the servicer’s site and download the app—it’s truly as simple as that. Most mainstream VPN services are also available as Linux apps. There are some exceptions (ExpressVPN, for example, only got a dedicated Linux app this year), but for the most part, if you run Linux, you’ll be able to use the same VPN you pick for your other devices.

However, it’s important to note that just because a VPN service has apps on all three operating systems doesn’t mean that they’re all created equally. This is where those typical 30-day money-back guarantees come in, allowing you to try the VPN on all your devices and ensure it works for you.

Are there VPN browser extensions?

There are, although the range of browsers supported varies from service to service. Most will provide extensions for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. From there, be sure to double-check to see if your browser is supported.

How to install a VPN on Android, iOS, or iPadOS

Generally, all you need to do is go to your smartphone or tablet’s app store and search for the app, and you’ll be able to install it from there. Some VPN services, such as Surfshark, also allow you to download the APK file directly, enabling you to bypass the Google Play Store.

Unfortunately, you can’t bypass the iOS and iPadOS app stores, so you will need to download the VPN app of your choice there. Just be sure not to choose a random free VPN from the App Store.

How to install a VPN on your smart TV

It’s surprisingly easy to install a VPN on your smart TV or streaming device—when getting my TV set up with a VPN, I imagined it to be a lot more complicated. Most popular VPN services will simply have an app you can download, and you can connect that way.

However, you may need to change some of your smart TV’s settings around before the service works completely correctly. I needed to go into my Google TV’s developer settings to make sure Surfshark could run in the background, for example. However, the situation will vary based on the smart TV you have and its operating system.

If you really don’t want to install a VPN on your devices one by one, or have a device that you can’t easily install an application on, you can install a VPN on your router. This will allow you to encrypt and protect all of your devices in your home network, including your smart home devices.

This process is more involved than most other methods (that amount to ‘download the app’), since you need to go into your router’s admin settings and add the VPN from there. It requires a bit more tech knowledge, but it allows you to protect everything in your home, whether the device has an app or not. It’s best to weigh the pros and cons of putting a VPN on your router and see if it works for you.