Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Yes. hide.me has a dedicated Android TV app for Android TV 7.0 and newer. Install it from Google Play, sign in or activate the free-plan option, grant Android’s VPN permission, and connect to a server. The app also offers streaming-optimised server labels, automatic server selection, split tunnelling, auto reconnect, and a kill switch. A VPN connection can change the apparent location of your TV, but it cannot guarantee access to every streaming service or catalogue.

What does hide.me support on Android TV?

hide.me offers an app designed for Android TV devices running Android 7.0 or later. Its Android TV product page describes streaming-optimised servers and automatic server selection, and lists features including split tunnelling, auto reconnect, and a kill switch. Google Play’s listing for the app showed TV support, more than 1 million downloads, a 4.5 rating, and an update dated May 2, 2026; ratings and download counts can change.

Those details establish app availability and advertised features, not that every Android TV device, network, or streaming service will behave identically. If you are unsure whether your device meets the requirement, check its Android version in the system settings before trying to install the app.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How do I install hide.me on Android TV?

Google Play is the preferred installation route. After installing, complete the account or free-plan flow and approve Android’s VPN connection request before selecting a server.

#1 Best Overall
Xiaomi Android Google TV Box S 3rd Gen, 4K UHD TV Box Dolby Vision Atmos & DTS:X, 2GB + 32GB Storage WiFi 6 HDMI 2.1 360° Bluetooth Remote Voice Control for Television Internet Smartphones Streaming
  • 4K UHD Resolution & Audio Support: Xiaomi 4K UHD resolution supports 4K content, while HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support is available for compatible content. The TV also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats
  • Powerful 6nm Platform Performance: Powered by a 64-bit 6nm high-performance platform, featuring a quad-core A55 CPU (up to 2.5 GHz) and large memory (2 GB + 32 GB), it ensures smooth operation
  • High Speed Wi-Fi 6 Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 (requires a Wi-Fi 6-enabled router), utilizing OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies to provide greater bandwidth and significantly improved transmission speeds, enabling instant playback of online content
  • Smart Google TV Entertainment Center: Built-in Google TV integrates personalized recommendations for movies, shows, and more from various apps and subscriptions, along with powerful cross-app search for a customized entertainment experience
  • Convenient Voice Control: Use the voice button on the 360° Bluetooth remote to use Google Assistant for voice search, playback control, and smart home management. Easily cast content from your phone/tablet to the TV via Google Cast. Easy to install
  1. Check compatibility. Confirm that the TV runs Android TV 7.0 or newer.
  2. Install the app. Open Google Play Store on the TV, search for “hide.me VPN,” and select Install.
  3. Open and set up hide.me. Follow the on-screen prompts to sign in or activate the free-plan option. When Android asks to allow a VPN connection, approve it; otherwise, the app cannot create the VPN tunnel.
  4. Choose a location and connect. Select a server location in the app and start the connection. For streaming, look for a server marked as streaming-optimised.
  5. Set reconnection behavior if needed. Turn on auto reconnect if you want the app to attempt to reconnect after a TV restart.

The Android permission prompt is a normal part of VPN setup: Android needs your approval to route the TV’s network traffic through the VPN. If the app reports that it is connected, use the app’s connection status as a first check before opening another TV app.

What if Google Play does not show or install the app?

First confirm that the TV meets the Android TV 7.0 minimum. If the app is still unavailable or installation fails, hide.me documents two alternatives: installing the Android TV APK through Downloader, or copying the APK to a USB drive and installing it with a file manager.

  1. Use Downloader only if necessary. Install Downloader by AFTVnews using the device’s available app store.
  2. Get the APK from hide.me’s official download address. Use hide.me’s Android TV installation instructions to reach the official file; do not rely on an unrelated download site.
  3. Allow the installer to install apps. In Android’s settings, enable the permission for installing unknown apps for Downloader, then use Downloader to install the APK.
  4. Turn off the temporary permission afterward. Android versions label these settings differently, but the permission is typically managed per installer. Disable it for Downloader when the installation is complete.

The USB method follows the same principle: obtain the APK from hide.me, transfer it to a USB drive, open it with a file manager on the TV, and grant that file manager installation permission if Android requests it. Sideloading is a fallback rather than the first choice because it involves allowing an app outside Google Play to install software.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Can hide.me unblock Netflix or other streaming apps?

hide.me says its Android TV app includes streaming-optimised servers, clearly marked in the app, and offers automatic server selection if you do not know which location to try. These options can help you choose a server, but they are not a promise that a particular streaming service or regional catalogue will work.

Rank #2
Google TV Streamer 4K - Fast Streaming Entertainment on Your Device with Voice Search Remote - Watch Movies, Shows, Live, and Netflix in HDR - Smart Home Control - 32 GB of Storage - Hazel
  • The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
  • HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
  • See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
  • Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
  • Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound

A VPN changes the route and apparent network location of the TV’s traffic. Streaming services can block VPN server addresses, apply licensing restrictions, or enforce their own account and location rules. Availability can therefore vary by service, country, server, and time; no universal list of guaranteed working services is established.

How should I choose a server for streaming?

  • Start with a location the hide.me app explicitly marks as streaming-optimised.
  • If you do not have a particular location in mind, try automatic server selection.
  • If playback fails, try another streaming-marked location rather than assuming the entire service is unavailable.
  • Keep in mind that the service itself may detect or restrict VPN connections, even when the VPN app reports a successful connection.

Buffering is not necessarily evidence that the VPN is disconnected. Server distance, the selected protocol, local Wi-Fi quality, and the streaming service’s handling of VPN traffic can all affect playback. The available information does not support a specific speed claim or a guaranteed result for a named service.

How do I stop hide.me from disconnecting on my TV?

Enable auto reconnect in the app if you want hide.me to try to restore the VPN after the TV restarts. If disconnections continue, restart the app, TV, and router, then test another supported protocol.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  1. Open hide.me and check whether auto reconnect is enabled.
  2. Close and reopen the VPN app, then restart the TV.
  3. Restart the router or other network equipment the TV uses.
  4. Change the VPN protocol and observe whether the connection stays stable.

A kill switch is intended to block traffic if the VPN tunnel drops. It is a safety measure, not a way to repair an unstable connection; if it activates, streaming or other internet access may stop until the tunnel reconnects or the VPN is turned off.

Rank #3
Android 14 TV Box 2026, 8K Ultra HD with 2GB RAM 16GB ROM RK3518 WIFI6 | Android 14 OS,8K Ultra HD Decoding,Quad-Core A53 CPU,2.4/5.8GHz WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4
  • Android 14.0 and RK3518 Chipset:MORTAL X5S equipped the latest Android 14 operating system and the quad-core RK3518 chip ensure smooth operation of the TV
  • 2GB RAM 16GB ROM: With 2GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM, this device is capable of meeting users’ daily needs, In addition, Android tv box features a TF card slot that allows users to expand storage capacity up to 128GB
  • 8K Video Decoding: Supports decoding and playback of the vast majority of audio and video formats. You can enjoy stunning 8K HD video, which offers even sharper picture quality than 4K, delivering a more lifelike viewing experience
  • 2.4/5.8 GHz Wi-Fi 6: Android TV box features built-in 2.4 GHz/5.8 GHz Wi-Fi 6 and supports RJ-45 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN, ensuring a stable network connection and smooth audio playback
  • Multiple Connection Options: Bluetooth 5.4 technology and the TV box’s two built-in USB ports let you easily connect your phone, speakers, keyboard, and other peripherals

What should I do when hide.me will not connect?

Start with a restart, then try another protocol. hide.me’s Android troubleshooting guidance recommends IKEv2 Alternate Configuration first, followed by OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, or WireGuard.

  1. Restart the app, TV, and router. Try connecting again after each has restarted.
  2. Try IKEv2 Alternate Configuration. If it does not connect, move to OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, and then WireGuard.
  3. Check the basics. Verify your credentials and setup details, and confirm the TV has a working internet connection when the VPN is disconnected.
  4. Consider network restrictions. A router, firewall, internet provider, or regional restriction may interfere with VPN connections. If possible, test the TV on a different network to see whether the problem follows the device or the network.

Changing protocols is a diagnostic step, not a guarantee that a blocked or malfunctioning connection will be fixed. If the app connects on one network but not another, that points toward a network-specific restriction or configuration issue.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Can I exclude one TV app from the VPN?

Yes. hide.me’s split tunnelling setting lets you choose whether selected apps use the VPN or bypass it. By default, the app routes traffic through the VPN until you configure exclusions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  1. Open hide.me’s settings on the TV.
  2. Go to Settings > Split Tunnelling.
  3. Choose the relevant app and set whether it should use the VPN or bypass it.
  4. Reopen the app you changed and check whether it now behaves as intended.

Split tunnelling is useful when one app needs a different network route from the rest of the TV. Check the selected behavior carefully: an app set to bypass the VPN will not have its traffic routed through the VPN tunnel.

Rank #4
Sale
Android 14.0 TV Box 4GB RAM 64GB ROM, Quad-Core Processor,Mini Keyboard | 4K UHD 60Hz HDR Media Player, Dual Band 2.4G/5G WiFi 6 Bluetooth, USB 3.0 HDMI LAN H.265 Decoding Smart Streaming Box
  • 【Android 14.0 OS】This Android TV Box is powered by the latest Android 14.0 operating system, delivering a smoother, more stable, and user-friendly interface. It supports a wide range of apps from the app store, ensures better system optimization, and provides a secure and responsive smart TV experience for daily entertainment.
  • 【Powerful Quad-Core & Large Storage】Equipped with a powerful quad-core CPU, 4GB RAM and 64GB large storage, this streaming box offers fast app launches, smooth multitasking, and lag-free performance. The high-capacity ROM allows you to download and store plenty of apps, games, videos, and files without worrying about insufficient space.
  • 【4K Ultra HD TV Box】Supporting 4K Ultra HD resolution at 60Hz and HDR technology, this TV box delivers stunning, lifelike visuals with vibrant colors, sharp details, and high dynamic range. With H.265 hardware decoding, it plays high-quality video smoothly, bringing you an immersive home theater viewing experience.
  • 【Dual Band WiFi & Bluetooth】Built-in 2.4G/5G dual-band WiFi ensures faster and more stable network connections for streaming, browsing, and online media. Bluetooth 4.2 enables easy wireless pairing with remote controls, speakers, gamepads, and other external devices for convenient and flexible usage.
  • 【Easy to Use & Versatile Connectivity】This smart TV box features a simple, intuitive design that is easy to set up and operate. It comes with USB 3.0, HDMI, and LAN ports for strong compatibility with various devices. Its plug-and-play design makes it ideal for upgrading any standard TV into a fully functional smart TV quickly.

Which hide.me Android TV features matter most?

Feature What it does on the TV When it is useful
Streaming-optimised server labels Identifies servers hide.me marks for streaming. When choosing a server for a streaming app.
Automatic server selection Chooses a server automatically. When you do not know which location to select.
Auto reconnect Attempts to reconnect after a TV restart. When you want the VPN to resume without manually reconnecting each time.
Kill switch Is intended to block traffic if the VPN tunnel drops. When preventing traffic from continuing outside the tunnel matters more than uninterrupted access.
Split tunnelling Lets selected apps use or bypass the VPN. When different TV apps need different network routes.
Protocol selection Allows switching among IKEv2 Alternate Configuration, OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, and WireGuard. When troubleshooting connection failures or instability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use hide.me on Android TV without choosing a paid plan?

The Android TV setup flow includes a free-plan activation option. The available information does not establish the free plan’s current limits or which streaming features it includes, so check hide.me’s plan details before relying on it for a particular use.

Will a VPN connection on my TV protect every device on my Wi-Fi?

No. The Android TV app routes traffic from the TV through the VPN; it does not automatically route traffic from phones, computers, or other devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

Does hide.me’s Android TV app work on every device called a smart TV?

The stated compatibility is for Android TV 7.0 and newer, not every smart-TV operating system. A television’s brand or smart-TV label alone does not confirm that it can install the Android TV app.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.