Disclaimer: Due to the wide variety of Android TV boxes, this guide provides general installation instructions and does not reflect all available devices. Private Internet Access (PIA) cannot guarantee success on every device.
Step 1: Install
The installation process requires access to standard device services; you must allow these for the application to operate. To install Private Internet Access (PIA) on an Android TV box, select the Apps icon.
Select Open the Google Play Store.
Select the Magnifying glass to search for apps.
Type "Private Internet Access" in the search bar.
Select the app and install the VPN.
Step 2: Opening Application
Once installed, select Open in the Play Store to launch the VPN. You can also find PIA in your apps list.
Step 3: Credentials
A login and subscription screen greets you. If you do not have an account, you can complete the purchase process here. Review the guide for purchasing a subscription through the Android application. Otherwise, if you already have an account, select Login. Once on the login screen, input your current credentials (e.g., 'p1234567') and password.
Step 4: Permissions
After you enter your credentials, the app asks for permission to access VPN configurations. Select OK to continue. After you select OK, the Android OS asks you to confirm that you allow the VPN access to your configurations. Select OK to accept.
Step 5: Connection
You now see the main screen of the app. Select Connect in the center of the interface to initiate the VPN connection.
Current Region: This option allows for the selection of a specific region if you want to use an option other than automatic server selection.
If the Connection button is green and displays "Connected to VPN," you are successfully connected. To verify your VPN service works correctly, visit our What’s My IP page.
PIA App Features and Settings:
1. Power/Connect button: Use this button to manually connect and disconnect from the VPN.
2. Server Selection: From the dashboard, scroll down to select a server or select the Magnifying glass for a custom search.
3. IP: This section displays your real IP address when disconnected and the VPN IP when connected.
4. Performance: This tile shows the history of data that flows through the application. Every 5 seconds, the display updates to show how much you downloaded. The numeric display at the bottom shows live download traffic. Note that this represents current traffic, not a speed test.
5. Per App Settings: This feature allows you to specify apps to use or circumvent the VPN individually.
Select each app to activate or deactivate PIA protection.
A green lock icon indicates protection, while a red lock icon indicates the app is circumventing the VPN.
This allows for the simultaneous use of apps that do and do not work with a VPN.
6. Favorites: This tile provides the ability to manage your preferred servers. When you use the search function, the app lists your favorites first.
7. Settings: PIA typically recommends default settings. However, you can adjust specific settings to resolve connection issues or invoke extra security. To access these, open the app and select Settings in the bottom right-hand corner.
8. Logout: Selecting this option logs you out of the VPN application.
General:
Launch on System Startup: This feature causes the app to start and initiate a connection once you turn on your device.
Connect on Launch: This allows the VPN to connect after you open the application.
Connect on app update: This feature connects the VPN immediately after you update the application.
Haptic Feedback: The device vibrates when you click the connection button.
Widget Settings: Customize the appearance and functionality of the widget on the home screen.
Show Service Communication Messages: Enabling this feature allows in-app messages to display.
Show Geo-located Regions: Includes the geo-located servers offered by PIA.
Reset settings to default: This resets all settings to their original defaults.
Protocol:
Protocol Selection: Switch between OpenVPN and WireGuard.
Transport: Switch between TCP and UDP.
Data Encryption: Specifies AES-128-GCM or 256-bit AES (AES-256-GCM).
Remote Port: Specifies what port the external connection uses for traffic.
Local Port: Specifies the port used for internal communication.
Use Small Packets: Reduces the MTU size, which can aid with connectivity issues.
Handshake: Specifies the certificate used when establishing a connection.
Network:
DNS: Specifies what DNS servers are used with the VPN. By default, the app uses PIA DNS servers. If you experience connection issues or wish to use different servers, tap this setting and select Custom DNS to change them.
Request Port Forwarding: This allows incoming connections to connect to your mobile device via an external port. This is sometimes helpful if an ISP is blocking or restricting specific ports and is recommended for those who wish to torrent.
Aggressive IPv6 Blocking: This feature protects users from leaks caused by the use of IPv6. Traffic over an IPv6 address is not protected as PIA currently operates exclusively on IPv4.
Allow LAN Traffic: This allows access to your local network devices. If you are on a public network, this is not suggested.
Privacy:
Kill switch: This feature prevents internet traffic if the VPN disconnects. This uses the built-in Android OS features for better integration.
PIA MACE (APK only): Enforces the use of MACE to block ads, malware, and trackers.
Automation:
Automation: This feature keeps the VPN connected unless you are using a Wi-Fi or mobile network that you have listed as "Trusted".
Obfuscation:
Connect via Proxy: Allows you to connect certain apps through the PIA app proxy, such as torrent apps.
Help:
Version: This lists the version of the application currently installed on your device.
View VPN Debug Log: This shows the debug log for the VPN connection. If you would like to review the log to search for the cause of an issue, you may do so with this option.
Send Debug Information to Support: This generates a debug log ID for you to submit to the support team via a support ticket.
Help improve PIA: Helps improve the VPN by sharing anonymous connection statistics.
Latest news: Opens the latest news regarding new additions to the app and to PIA.
For further information and troubleshooting, please visit this guide.