ExpressVPN’s redesigned Apple TV app is available now in version 12.60.0 (June 3, 2026). It adds a simpler home screen, favorite locations, WireGuard and OpenVPN choices, and an in-app speed test. The native app requires an Apple TV running tvOS 17 or later; older Apple TV hardware needs MediaStreamer or a router-based setup.
What changed in ExpressVPN’s Apple TV app?
ExpressVPN says the redesign is intended to make TV VPN controls easier to reach. As ExpressVPN news author Sonja Raath put it on June 3, 2026: “Using a VPN on a TV should feel simple.” The stated goal is to let viewers connect quickly, change locations, and return to watching without working through complex menus.
A new home screen
Frequently used controls now appear on a redesigned home screen, reducing the number of steps needed to connect or change settings.
Favorite locations
You can mark locations as favorites and reach them with one-click access. This is useful if you regularly return to the same location, although the release does not publish a measured time saving.
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- Voice search by asking the Siri Remote
More protocol choices
Version 12.60.0 adds WireGuard and OpenVPN over UDP or TCP alongside ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol and Automatic selection. The app therefore supports these choices:
| Protocol option | What the app provides |
|---|---|
| Automatic | Lets the app choose from its available protocol options. |
| Lightway | ExpressVPN’s existing protocol option. |
| WireGuard | Available in version 12.60.0. |
| OpenVPN (UDP) | Available in version 12.60.0. |
| OpenVPN (TCP) | Available in version 12.60.0. |
Built-in speed testing
A speed-test tool is built into the app so you can compare server performance from the Apple TV interface and identify the best-performing server for your situation. ExpressVPN does not publish a universal speed result for any location, and this feature should not be read as an independent performance benchmark.
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Launch fix
The update also addresses a problem where the app could remain unresponsive for several seconds during launch.
Does ExpressVPN work on every Apple TV?
No. The native ExpressVPN app requires tvOS 17 or later. ExpressVPN’s launch documentation identifies Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models as supported when they can run that tvOS version.
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Check your Apple TV before installing
- Open Settings on the Apple TV.
- Go to System and choose Software Updates.
- Install the latest available update, then verify that the device is running tvOS 17 or later.
- Open the App Store and search for ExpressVPN.
If the device cannot update to tvOS 17, the native app is not the compatible path for that Apple TV.
What can you do with an older Apple TV?
For Apple TV hardware that cannot run tvOS 17, ExpressVPN points to two alternatives: MediaStreamer or a router running ExpressVPN. The ExpressVPN product information also mentions an Aircove router as an option for older hardware.
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| Setup path | Where the VPN is configured | Apple TV requirement | Changing locations with the Siri Remote | Built-in app speed test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native ExpressVPN app | On the Apple TV | tvOS 17 or later; Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models identified as supported | Available through the redesigned app, including favorites | Yes |
| MediaStreamer | Configured for the network or device as directed by ExpressVPN | Useful when the Apple TV cannot run the native app | Not provided by the native ExpressVPN Apple TV interface | Not provided by the native app path |
| Router setup | On a compatible router, including the Aircove option mentioned by ExpressVPN | Can cover older Apple TV hardware connected to that network | Usually changed through the router’s controls rather than the Apple TV app | Not provided by the native Apple TV app |
Which setup should you choose?
Choose the native app if your Apple TV runs tvOS 17
- You want to change locations directly with the Siri Remote.
- You want favorites for one-click access.
- You want protocol controls including WireGuard and OpenVPN UDP/TCP.
- You want the built-in speed test on the TV.
Choose a router setup for older hardware or whole-network coverage
- Your Apple TV cannot update to tvOS 17.
- You want the VPN to apply to multiple devices on the same network.
- You are comfortable configuring a compatible router, or want to use ExpressVPN’s Aircove option.
A router setup moves location and protocol management away from the Apple TV, so it does not reproduce the native app’s Siri Remote workflow.
Consider MediaStreamer when the native app is unavailable
MediaStreamer is the alternative ExpressVPN identifies for older Apple TV models. Follow ExpressVPN’s current setup instructions for the exact configuration and capabilities; the June 3, 2026 app announcement does not establish that MediaStreamer offers the native app’s protocol picker or speed-test screen.
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What the June 2026 update does—and does not—establish
The documented changes are interface and feature additions in version 12.60.0. Neither the announcement nor the release notes supplies independent measurements of connection speed, streaming-unblocking success, or long-term reliability. The speed-test screen can help you compare servers on your own Apple TV, but its results will vary by network, location, server load, and time.
Quick Recap
Quick decision checklist
- tvOS 17 or later? Install the native app.
- Apple TV HD or 4K that supports tvOS 17? It is within the models identified for the app.
- Older Apple TV that cannot update? Use MediaStreamer or a router-based ExpressVPN setup.
- Need frequent location changes? The native app is the most direct route because favorites and location controls are on the TV.
- Need WireGuard or OpenVPN UDP/TCP? Select the protocol in version 12.60.0 on the native app.
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