Apple TV is one of the best streaming devices out there, but historically it has had one big disadvantage when compared to the likes of Google Chromecast and Amazon’s Fire TV devices: it makes watching geo-locked content extremely difficult.
But that’s about to change with the arrival of tvOS 17, the latest version of the software powering Apple TV. Apple quietly announced that the new version of the operating system will introduce support for third-party VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).
If you’re unaware, the best VPNs offer privacy and security, but also allow your device to spoof a location far away from your own. That makes them a popular way of getting around regional locks on streaming services such as Netflix, and letting subscribers watch services that aren’t available in the UK, such as Max (formerly HBO Max).
Apple’s tvOS 17 press release doesn’t mention this benefit. In fact, VPN support is only revealed in the very last paragraph, and then it’s pitched as an enterprise feature.
The introduction of VPNs, the release claims, will “benefit enterprise and education users wanting to access content on their private networks, allowing Apple TV to be a great office and conference room solution in even more places.” Suffice it to say, this niche benefit will appeal to fewer people than being able to sidestep geo-locking.
Technically, it was possible to use a VPN on Apple TV before, but it required some technical know-how and a router that would allow you to install a VPN directly onto it — far from guaranteed on the hardware supplied by broadband providers.
With this change, it will presumably be as simple as downloading the VPN of your choice from the tvOS App Store and logging in — just how it works on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Apple’s press release is keener to highlight other improvements coming to tvOS. These include the introduction of FaceTime to Apple TV 4K, Control Centre, a way of tracking down lost Siri Remotes, Dolby Vision 8.1 support, new additions to Apple Fitness Plus and boosted dialogue for those pairing with a second-generation HomePod.
tvOS 17 will start rolling out to compatible devices “this fall” — or autumn on this side of the Atlantic.
