Setting up a VPN on a PC or smartphone is fairly easy, but the same can’t be said for consoles – especially Sony’s PS4 and PS5. Much to gamers’ dismay, Sony doesn’t allow VPN apps on its platform, meaning you can’t just browse Sony’s PlayStation Store, find the NordVPN or ExpressVPN app, and set up a connection.
In fact, you can’t even sideload VPN apps because the consoles simply don’t support them.
But before you click away in discouragement, here are a handful of unofficial ways to use a VPN on the PS4 or PS5 to access other regions of Netflix, get early access to new games, improve laggy online connections, and more. We outline the top four ways to use a VPN on PS4 and PS5 here.
Oh, and if you also have the latest generation Xbox, check out our guide to setting up a VPN on Xbox One too.
Why should I use a VPN on my PS4 or PS5?
Before we explain the different methods, let’s talk about Why maybe you want to use a VPN on your PS4 or PS5.
First, it can reduce your ping, which means a reduction in lag when gaming online, and it will also protect you from potential DDOS attacks if you’re a streamer.
Apart from an improvement in online gaming performance, you may also be able to play new games before they are released in your region. Games released on the same day are typically available to download and play hours earlier in Australia than in the UK and US. But with the help of a VPN you can trick your console into thinking you’re in Australia and get early access to the latest PlayStation titles.
Oh, and the console’s streaming apps let you access geo-locked content from around the world. Did someone say American Netflix?
As we mentioned, the big problem is that you can’t configure a VPN service or install an app directly on the consoles. This means the process is a bit more complicated than some might like, but there are four main options available to you.
Set up a PS4 or PS5 VPN through a Wi-Fi router
Since your console gets its internet connection from your router, this is the first device in the chain that can provide a VPN connection.
Many modern routers support a VPN connection – all you have to do is manually enter your account details in your Wi-Fi router’s settings.
The problem is that the steps vary depending on the brand of your router and VPN service, which means it’s almost impossible for us to explain how to do it here. However, the general process is to log into your router, find the settings menu, and look for a VPN page. Here you will be asked to enter details including:
- Name of the service
- Server address
- Your account name/email address
- your password
- A pre-shared key for encryption
If your router doesn’t support VPN connections, you can invest in a router that does, such as a wifi router ExpressVPN or one from a vendor such as FlashRouters. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s by far the easiest way to set up a VPN on your PS4 or PS5.
Before you do that, you need to decide which provider you want to use. NordVPN is one of the best all-rounders and a good option for those who want to enter VPN details manually as there are plenty of tutorials on how to do it on different routers on its website. There’s no shortage of VPN providers, though, and we’ve listed our favorites in our roundup of the best VPN services for those new to the world of virtual private networks.
![Using a VPN on PS4](https://images.techadvisor.com/cmsdata/features/3670694/how-to-use-vpn-on-ps4-router.jpg)
Keep in mind that running a VPN on your router means that any device that connects to the internet has to use the VPN connection, and that can cause problems for some devices.
Set up a Smart DNS on your PS4 or PS5
If using a VPN router is a bit too much for your needs, there’s a way to change location on devices that don’t officially support VPNs. It’s called Smart DNS and it’s pretty easy to set up – the problem is that not all VPN providers offer the functionality.
It’s not as slick as a VPN, not allowing quick location changes like a full VPN app, and it doesn’t encrypt your data, but if you have a specific territory you’ll want to connect your console to it. a good option.
The good news is that Surf shark, NordVPN And ExpressVPN they all provide the functionality, so if this is the route you want to go, you’ll need to subscribe to one of those services. If you use ExpressVPN, it has a handy guide on how to obtain a Smart DNS address for use on PlayStation.
Once you get your Smart DNS address from your VPN provider, you can use it on your console as follows:
PS4
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Select network.
- Select Set up Internet connection and select LAN or Wi-Fi depending on what you are using.
- Select Custom.
- Set the IP address to Auto.
- Set DCHP Host to Do Not Specify.
- Set DNS to Manual and enter the Smart DNS provided by your VPN.
- Set MUT settings to Auto.
- Set proxy server to Do not use.
- Select Test Internet Connection to check your settings.
PS5
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Select network.
- Select Settings.
- Select ‘Set up Internet Connection’ and select LAN or Wi-Fi, depending on what you are using.
- Highlight your connection and press the Options button to open the options menu.
- Select Advanced Settings.
- Set the IP address to Auto.
- Set DCHP Host to Do Not Specify.
- Select Manual in the DNS settings section.
- Enter the Smart DNS provided by your VPN provider and click Next.
- Set MUT to Auto.
- Set proxy server to Do not use.
- Select Test Internet Connection to verify your settings.
If all goes well, you should successfully connect to your Smart DNS and be able to access content from abroad on your console.
Set up a VPN for PS4 or PS5 using a Windows PC
If your VPN doesn’t offer Smart DNS functionality, there’s also a way to share a connection from Windows, which essentially turns your PC into a virtual router. Your computer needs both an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi (or a second Ethernet port) because it needs to be able to connect to your broadband router for an Internet connection.
Also make sure you have already signed up with a VPN provider as you will need the credentials.
- Install the VPN software of your choice on your PC and connect to it.
- Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the back of your PC (or laptop) and the other end to the PS4 or PS5.
- Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center and select Change adapter settings on the left side of the window.
- Right-click on your VPN connection and click Properties.
- Open the Sharing tab and make sure “Allow other network users to connect using this computer’s Internet connection” is selected.
- Select Home network connection and select your Internet connection from the drop-down menu. Note that this must be a Wi-Fi connection if you only have one Ethernet port on your PC.
- On your PS4, go to Settings > Network Settings > Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable and select the Simple Connection method. On PS5, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection. This will automatically scan and set up your Ethernet connection.
- Select “Do not use a proxy server” when prompted.
- You can test your internet connection if you like, and if all went well, your console should now be connected to the internet via a VPN.
Set up a VPN for PS4 or PS5 through your Mac
If you don’t have a Windows PC, another option is to use a Mac and an Ethernet cable, if you have both handy. Make sure your Mac has an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi, and is within range of your console.
Oh, and sign up with a VPN provider if you haven’t already – we’ve got a list of the best Mac VPNs if you need help choosing.
- Install the VPN software of your choice.
- Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the back of your Mac and the other end to the console.
- Go to System Preferences > Sharing and select Internet Sharing from the list on the left.
- Select Wi-Fi from the “Share your connection from” drop-down menu.
- Make sure Ethernet is checked in the “To computers using” list.
- Check the box to the left of Internet sharing in the list to enable sharing of your Internet connection, and confirm the decision when prompted. If successful, a green icon will be displayed.
- Open the VPN software on your Mac and connect to your chosen server.
- On your PS4, go to Settings > Network Settings > Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable and select the Simple Connection method. On PS5, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection. This will automatically scan and set up your Ethernet connection.
- Select “Do not use a proxy server” when prompted.
- You can test your internet connection if you like, and if all went well, your console should now be connected to the internet via a VPN.
![](https://images.techadvisor.com/cmsdata/features/3670694/playstation_5-07_thumb.jpg)
And there you have it! Four easy ways to connect your PS4 or PS5 to the internet via a VPN and reap the benefits.