To use our apps and configurations, please sign up for an ExpressVPN account first.

This tutorial will show you how to set up the ExpressVPN app on Android TVs or Android TV boxes, which include the following devices:

  • Sony
  • Sharp
  • TCL
  • Xiaomi
  • MINIX
  • Nvidia Shield
  • Formuler

Not yet an ExpressVPN customer?
Read more about why ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Android TV.

Jump to…

Download the ExpressVPN app on your Android TV
Activate the ExpressVPN app
Connect to a server location
Disconnect from a server location
Choose a different server location
Uninstall ExpressVPN from your Android TV


Download the ExpressVPN app on your Android TV

Important: The steps below are for devices using Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and above. If you cannot access the Google Play Store, sideload the ExpressVPN app onto your Android TV.

On your Android TV, go to the Google Play Store and search for ExpressVPN.

Search for "ExpressVPN."

Select ExpressVPN.

On the ExpressVPN app page, select Install.

Select "Install."

Select Open.

Select "Open."

Proceed to activating the ExpressVPN app.

Important: Follow the steps below to sideload the ExpressVPN app APK only if ExpressVPN is not available to download directly on your Android TV.

On your computer, go to the ExpressVPN setup page. If prompted, enter your ExpressVPN credentials and click Sign In.

Enter your account credentials, then click "Sign In."

Enter the verification code that is sent to your email.

On the right, click Download APK.

Under "ExpressVPN for Android," tap "Download APK."

You now need a file management app to transfer the ExpressVPN app APK from your computer to your Android TV.

Important: ExpressVPN is not affiliated with any third-party apps.

On your Android TV, go to Apps. Under app categories, select Search for apps.

Select “search for apps.”

Enter file commander. Click Install > Open.

 Select “Open.”

Select Allow to permit File Commander to access photos, media, and files.

Select “Allow” to permit File Commander to access photos, media, and files.

Select a sign-in method. (Selecting Google will automatically sign you in with the same email address you used for your Android device.)

Select a sign-in method.

On your computer, go to mobidrive.com. Sign in using the same email address you used to sign in to File Commander.

 

Click New > Upload files. Select the ExpressVPN app APK you downloaded earlier. Select Open.

 

On File Commander on your Android TV, go to MobiDrive.

Find the ExpressVPN app APK and selectVertical ellipsis..

Select Move.

Select the FC folder icon.

Select Internal storage.

Select Download Move here.

You now have access to the ExpressVPN app APK on your Android TV. Before that, you will need to enable Developer mode. On your remote, press the “home” button. Select Settings.

 

Select Device Preferences > About.

 

Under About, locate Build. Keep selecting it until it says, “You are now a developer!”

 

Go back to Settings. Select Apps > Security & Restrictions > Unknown sources. Toggle File Commander on.

Toggle “File Commander” on.

Go to File Commander. Select Internal storage, then select the ExpressVPN app APK you uploaded earlier. Select INSTALL.

Select "Install."

The ExpressVPN app is now downloaded to your Android TV. Go to ExpressVPN, then select Open.

Select "Open."

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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2. Activate the ExpressVPN app

Select Sign In.

Image of the Android TV app home screen.

 

There are three ways you can sign in.

ExpressVPN sign-in screen

Sign in with QR code

  1. Scan the QR code with your smartphone to sign in.
  2. Enter the email and password for your ExpressVPN account. Tap Sign In.
  3. Tap Confirm.
Important: If the option to scan the QR code does not appear, go toSettings icon.> Applications > Manage Installed Applications > ExpressVPN > Clear data > OK. Once you have cleared the stored data, relaunch the ExpressVPN app. The QR code should now be visible.
Sign in with code

  1. On a separate device from your TV, visit auth.expressvpn.com/activate
  2. Enter the 8-character code displayed on your TV.
  3. Select Continue.
  4. Confirm your 8-character code.
  5. Enter the email and password for your ExpressVPN account. Select Sign In.

 

Sign in with remote

  1. Select Sign In with Remote.
  2. Enter the email and password for your ExpressVPN account. Select Sign In.

 

You will see a statement detailing the information collected by the ExpressVPN app. Select Agree and Continue to proceed.

Select Continue to configure the app.

 

When asked to accept ExpressVPN connection requests, select OK.

 

Your app will ask if you would like to share anonymous information to help make ExpressVPN faster and more reliable. Select your preference to continue.

 

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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3. Connect to a server location

To connect to a server location, click the On Button. By default, ExpressVPN will use Smart Location to select the best server location for your circumstances.

 

Once you see the Connected message, you can begin surfing with freedom and security!

 

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Disconnect from a server location

To disconnect from the server, click the On Button while the app is connected.

 

You will know you are disconnected when you see the “Not connected” message.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Choose a different server location

To choose a different location, open the Location Picker and select a location from the list.

 

By default, you will see two tabs, RECOMMENDED and ALL LOCATIONS.

 

To connect to a location, select it with your remote. You can also add a location to your list of favorites by holding the “select” button on the location. Your favorite locations will be added in a tab labeled FAVORITES.

 

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Uninstall ExpressVPN from your Android TV

On your Android TV, go to Apps and find ExpressVPN.

Select and hold on the ExpressVPN app, then select Uninstall.

Select "Uninstall."

Select OK. The app is now deleted from your Android TV.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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