How to Get a VPN on Xbox

These days, people do much more on their Xboxes than ever before. It’s not just about gaming, but about streaming, listening to music, watching others play games on Twitch, and even browsing the web. However, with these activities comes the need for protection: protection from hackers, internet service providers, and anyone else who may be spying on your online activity. While setting up a VPN on your Xbox isn’t the most straightforward process in the world, there are a few workarounds that anyone can do, even if you’re not a tech expert like us.

How to Get a VPN on Xbox

There are three main ways you can make your VPN compatible with Xbox: through your computer, your router, or a personal hotspot.

» Learn about: The Best VPN for Xbox

Through a Computer

Mac

1. Connect your Mac to the internet via an Ethernet cable; it won’t work through Wi-Fi.
2. Go to System Settings.
3. Search for on “Sharing”.
4. Click on “Sharing”.
5. Scroll down to “Internet Sharing” and click on the lowercase “i”.
6. Under Share Your Connection From, choose VPN.
7. Under In To Computer Using, check the box for Wi-Fi.
8. Create a password and a network name.
9. Leave the channel as Default.
10. Set the Security as WPA2 Personal.
11. Click OK.
12. Enable Internet Sharing.
13. Turn your Wi-Fi network on.
14. Click Start.
15. Go into your Xbox’s settings.
16. Join this Wi-Fi network.

Windows 10

To properly connect your Xbox to your Windows 10 PC, the device must be wireless, with either a built-in interface or an external USB wireless adapter.

1. On your computer, press the Windows button.
2. Type in “cmd”.
3. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
4. In the command prompt window, type in “netsh wlan show drivers” and press Enter.
5. Once you get your Xbox on the same network as your computer, connect your computer to your VPN.
6. Your web activity on your Xbox, as well as your private IP address, will be encrypted.

Once you get your Xbox on the same network as your computer, connect your computer to your VPN. Then, your web activity on your Xbox, as well as your private IP address, will be encrypted.

Through a Router

Rather than creating a Wi-Fi network from a computer and adding your Xbox to that network, you can use a VPN on the router that your Xbox is on. However, how to set up a VPN router will differ based on your make and model; for step-by-step instructions, you’ll need to go on your router company’s support site. Sorry we couldn’t be more helpful!

Through a Hotspot

There’s also the option of creating a personal hotspot on another device and then using that as your Xbox’s Wi-Fi. If your device is connected to a VPN, your Xbox will be, as well.

MacOS or iOS

To add your Xbox to a personal hotspot on your Mac, you’ll need iOS 8 or iPadOS 13 or later.

1. On iOS, go to Settings.
2. Go to Personal Hotspot and toggle it on.
3. Go on your MacBook.
4. Join that network using the password listed on your phone.
5. Add your Xbox to this hotspot network.

Windows

1. On a Windows PC, go to Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Navigate to Mobile hotspot.
4. Select Edit under the Network details.
5. Enter your desired Network name and Network password.
6. Click Save.
7. Toggle on the Share my Internet connection with other devices setting.
8. Connect your Xbox to the mobile hotspot.

Why You Need a VPN on Xbox

An Xbox might not be the first device you associate with VPNs, but there are three valid reasons why you’d want to combine the two.

• Security: If you happen to be using your Xbox on a public Wi-Fi network, using a VPN can prevent hackings. In fact, our VPN research indicated that nearly half of VPN users use the service for general security.
• Privacy: Whether you’re using the Xbox for gaming or to stream, VPNs encrypt all web traffic and IP addresses so your internet service provider won’t see what you’re doing.
• Streaming: Many people stream on their Xbox, once they’re done gaming, that is. If that’s the case, then VPNs can help you access streaming services in other countries. That’s why there are VPNs for Netflix, VPNs for Hulu, VPNs for Disney+ and more.

How to Choose an Xbox VPN

Our VPN guide gives a great overview of what to look for in a VPN in general, but you want to make sure that your VPN works with your Xbox, primarily.

VPN Xbox Compatibility

Essentially, any VPN you can set up on a computer, smartphone, or router will work, although you should pick a VPN that works well with the method you plan on using. For example, if you’re setting up the VPN on your router, you should pick an easy-to-use router VPN.

» Read more: VPN setup on the PS5

Free VPNs for Xbox

The best free VPNs that we’ve found for Xbox are:

• Surfshark: Surfshark has a free trial VPN that lasts for only 30 days only; after that, Surfshark’s pricing starts at $2.49 a month for the two-year package.
• Trust.Zone: Compatible with Xbox 360 only, Trust.Zone is another free trial VPN, but it only lasts for three days. Learn more about Trust.Zone’s subscriptions.

Recap

As most VPNs aren’t set up to be used on Xboxes, it’s hard to know exactly how to implement them. However, there are a few simple options that, once you get set up, shouldn’t be too hard to use. Although we may not think of them as using the internet, there’s more than gaming on Xboxes: there’s also web browsing, streaming, and other online services as well, necessitating a VPN to increase security and privacy.