In this guide, we tell you how to install ExpressVPN on Xbox with step-by-step guidelines. These guidelines work on almost all Xbox variants including Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X.
Gaming consoles have been climbing their way to greatness by introducing never-seen-before graphics and storylines in games. But how will you be able to play those games when they’re geo-restricted?
That’s why you need a top-tier VPN provider like ExpressVPN to bypass geo-restrictions and have your back covered.
A VPN or Virtual Private Network changes your location, allowing you to have access to games, game passes, music purchases, movies, and apps that are geo-restricted for your region.
And ExpressVPN is the best choice, may it be for bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming platforms, online games, or any geo-blocked website.
It has a total count of 3000+ servers, a MediaStreamer feature, a kill-switch feature, and an always active customer service helpline.
And the most important factor is that it doesn’t log any customer data as all the ExpressVPN servers are on volatile memory. So you don’t have to worry about your online identity being compromised while you’re gaming.
And we agree that while a VPN can slow down your internet speed, ExpressVPN’s fast servers will help you achieve a latency that’ll be way lower than your other teammates playing with you.
So you’ll always have a smooth and amazing gaming experience without encountering any lags or jerks while you’re about to pull a 5 vs. 1 against opponents.
Short on time? Here’s a Short Summary of How to Install ExpressVPN On Xbox
- Flash your router’s firmware and install ExpressVPN on your router.
- Create a virtual router on your VPN-enabled computer and connect your Xbox to it via Ethernet cable.
- Use ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature to geo-spoof your location on Xbox.
How to Install ExpressVPN On Xbox?
You cannot directly install a VPN on your Xbox console as it cannot run native VPN apps. Instead, you have to set up a VPN in some other way.
Here are some of the methods you can use to install ExpressVPN on Xbox.
- Install ExpressVPN on your router.
- Create a virtual router on your Windows or Mac PC with ExpressVPN and connect your Xbox to it.
- Use ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature.
To know more about ExpressVPN, visit our detailed guide: How Does ExpressVPN Work
How to Install ExpressVPN On Xbox Via Router?
ExpressVPN has a dedicated router app from which you can easily set up a VPN connection on your router without any hassles.
As ExpressVPN doesn’t have an app for Xbox, installing it on your router comes out as a permanent solution. A VPN on your router covers all the devices of your household without individually downloading a VPN app for each device.
And if you use streaming devices like Firestick, Chromecast, or Roku, which cannot run native VPN apps, a VPN on your router covers them too so you can watch geo-restricted movies and TV shows easily.
To install a VPN on your router, make sure your router has the capability to host a VPN server. If it doesn’t, then you’ll have to flash your router first.
Flashing is formatting your router’s firmware to a version that supports VPN. You are simply changing your router’s operating system to enable the VPN feature.
But flashing can be a risky process if you mess up while doing it. Make sure you’re prepared with everything before flashing your router.
To know the step-by-step process, visit our detailed guide: How to Install ExpressVPN On A Router.
How to Install ExpressVPN On Xbox Via Mac or Windows PC?
For this method, you need an Ethernet cable and an active ExpressVPN subscription plan.
For Mac
Install a VPN on your Mac by downloading the app or with manual configuration. If you don’t know how to do that, visit our detailed guide on how to install a VPN on Mac.
After successful installation, connect to a VPN server of your preference and follow the steps below to share the VPN connection to your Xbox console.
Step 1: Connect your Xbox to your Mac computer via Ethernet cable.
Step 2: Go to the System Preferences and head to Sharing.
Step 3: Click on Internet Sharing on the left.
Step 4: Click on the drop-down menu that says “Share your connection from” on the right panel and select your VPN provider.
Step 5: Select Ethernet by clicking on the drop-down menu that says “To computers using“.
Step 6: Check the Internet Sharing box. You’ll see a green circle indicating that your connection has been established.
Step 7: On your Xbox console, go to the Settings and head to the Network Settings.
Step 8: Select Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable. Select the Easy Connection.
For Windows
Set up a VPN by downloading the VPN app or manual configuration on your Windows PC. After successful installation, connect to the VPN.
Connect your Xbox to the Windows PC via Ethernet Cable and follow the steps below.
Step 1: Go to the Settings and then head to Network & Internet.
Step 2: Click on Change Adapter Settings.
Step 3: Find ExpressVPN TAP Adapter and right-click on it. Go to the Properties.
Step 4: Select the Sharing tab.
Step 5: Check the box that says “allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection“.
Step 6: Click on the drop-down menu and select Ethernet. Click on OK.
Step 7: On your Xbox console, go to the Settings and head to Network Settings.
Step 8: Select Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable. Select the Easy Connection method.
How to Install ExpressVPN On Xbox Using MediaStreamer?
MediaStreamer is ExpressVPN’s feature to geo-spoof your location without encrypting your traffic. It works best if you’re not looking to anonymize your online identity and just want to change your region to escape dynamic pricing.
Here’s how you can set up ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature on your Xbox console.
Step 1: Get a VPN plan from ExpressVPN.
Step 2: Go to the DNS Settings page. Sign in with your VPN account if needed.
Step 3: Under the IP address registration section, click on Register my IP address and turn on the toggle button.
Step 4: Go to ExpressVPN’s setup page for Xbox. Sign in with your VPN account if needed.
Step 5: You’ll see the MediaStreamer DNS server IP address. Keep this browser window open, we’ll need this later.
Step 6: On your Xbox console, go to the Settings and then head to System. choose Network Settings.
Step 7: choose Wired Network and then choose Configure Network.
Step 8: Under the Basic Settings tab, choose DNS Settings.
Step 9: choose Manual and then choose Primary DNS Server.
Step 10: Enter the DNS server IP address from Step 5 and select Done.
Step 11: Select Secondary DNS Server and enter the same DNS server IP address. Press Done.
Step 12: Save the settings and reboot your Xbox console. You should now be able to use a VPN on your Xbox.
To set up ExpressVPN on other popular devices, check out:
How to Switch Your Region On Xbox?
Xbox only lets you switch your region in three months. And although everything you’ve achieved on your profile will move to the new region with you, some of them might not work because of the region switch.
Here’s how you can switch your region on Xbox.
Step 1: On your Xbox, go to the Settings.
Step 2: Head to All Settings and choose System.
Step 3: Select Location & Language.
Step 4: Now select your new region from the list.
Step 5: Reboot your Xbox console.
Why Should I Use ExpressVPN On Xbox?
Using a VPN on your Xbox console has plenty of benefits. But not all VPNs work as they promise. ExpressVPN comes under the list of the top 10 VPNs of all time and the most amazing thing is the easy setup on your gaming console. Here are some of the reasons why you should use ExpressVPN on Xbox.
Security
The primary job of any VPN is to keep your online identity secure so that you’re not in the reach of hackers.
If the security is compromised, attackers can find loopholes to enter your system and steal private information like your social security or credit card number.
ExpressVPN uses the 256-bit encryption method to anonymize your online presence. You can choose advanced protocols like OpenVPN or L2TP/IPsec to maximize your online security and escape prying eyes.
Ping
Ping refers to the delay time that the system takes responding to a player’s input. A player makes a move and the server receives it, now the time taken by the server to show that action is known as Ping.
The lower the ping, the better the gaming experience. Because you want to see the actions of your player instantly as soon as you press a button (like firing or crouching).
Higher ping deteriorates the gaming experience. The game becomes laggy and everything just becomes frustrating. It usually occurs when your internet connection is slow.
Now as you know that when you use a VPN, your traffic has to travel through multiple stops which can slow down your internet.
But not with ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN’s fast servers make sure your gaming experience is not ruined and you keep on hitting scopeless headshots with your generous flicks while guarding Bomb-Site A.
Escaping DDoS
Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS is a type of cyber attack. A third party uses fake traffic to overwhelm your server by sending in unlimited requests.
Eventually, the server not being able to take the unlimited traffic requests is forced to shut down.
But with ExpressVPN, you can easily mask your IP address with just a click of a button and escape DDoS attacks.
Access to Geo-Blocked Games
ExpressVPN has a total count of 3000+ servers covering 94 countries.
This means if you don’t have access to a game in your region because of geo-restrictions, then you just have to change your region to somewhere the game is available to play and you’re all set.
Also, you can get your hands on the games that are not even released in your region yet.
Escaping Dynamic Pricing
Dynamic pricing is the difference in product prices according to different regions. For suppose, if you’re purchasing a game for $10 in the US, then it is possible that you’ll get the same game for $7 if you purchase it in Brazil or Turkey.
So you know what you need to do right? Just change your region to somewhere the game you’re looking for is cheaper than purchasing it in your own country and you’ll easily save some bucks.
Streaming Support
Watching Netflix on your Xbox console is a different experience. But what if you don’t find your favorite movie?
Because even if the movie you’re looking for is present in the Netflix catalog, you won’t be able to stream it if it’s not in your region’s Netflix catalog.
And to unlock a different region library, you need to change your Netflix region. This is where ExpressVPN comes in. Because ExpressVPN can unlock almost 20 Netflix libraries.
Not only Netflix but it works great on other major streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC IPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+, and whatnot.
You can also take advantage of the MediaStreamer feature for a magical no-buffer streaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Can I directly install ExpressVPN on Xbox?
Will a VPN affect my internet speed on Xbox?
Why can I not use a VPN on Xbox directly?
Can I install any VPN on router?
Can I use a free VPN on Xbox?
Conclusion
Now that you know how to install ExpressVPN on Xbox, you can easily geo-spoof your location and enjoy the perks of accessing game passes and apps which are not available in your region.
The method you go with depends on your choice.
If you want a permanent solution, install a VPN on your router. If you don’t want to do all the technical work, use your Windows or Mac computer to connect to a VPN. And lastly, if you don’t care about anonymizing your traffic, use the MediaStreamer feature of ExpressVPN to change your location.
