How to Install and Use PIA on Apple TV

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a dedicated app for compatible Apple TV devices running tvOS 17 or later. Learn how to download the app, sign in to your account, connect to a VPN server, and adjust PIA’s main settings and features. 

Note: If your Apple TV doesn’t support the PIA app, you can use our Smart DNS setup guide for Apple TV or follow our virtual VPN router instructions.  
 

Download PIA on Your Apple TV

You can download the PIA app directly from the App Store on a compatible Apple TV. 

Find PIA in the App Store

Follow these steps to locate the official PIA app in the Apple TV App Store:

  1. Open the App Store from the Apple TV home screen.
  2. In the search bar, type Private Internet Access or PIA.
  3. Select VPN by Private Internet Access.
  4. Select the download button to begin downloading the app.
  5. When the download is complete, select Open.

Sign Into Your PIA Account

You can sign in to your PIA account by scanning the QR code inside the PIA app, entering your account details manually, or restoring a subscription purchased through Apple. 

Sign In Using a QR Code 

Scan the QR code on the PIA login screen using your iOS or Android device. If you’re already logged into the PIA mobile app, your Apple TV will now log in automatically. 

Note: If the QR code won’t scan or you see an error saying No usable data found, you need to download and install the PIA mobile app for Android or iOS first. 

If you have the app but aren’t logged into it, tap Login after scanning the QR code, enter your account details, and confirm. Apple TV will now log in automatically. 

If you don’t have a PIA account, you can buy a subscription through our website or by clicking Sign Up on your Apple TV.

Once you’re logged in, continue to the initial setup.

Enter Your Account Details Manually

If you can’t log in using the QR code, you can enter your account details manually on your Apple TV.

  1. Click Log In.
  2. Click Log In via Username.
  3. Enter your PIA username and password. If you don’t have them, check the email you used when buying your PIA subscription. Your username should begin with p followed by a series of digits. 
  4. If the account details are correct, you’ll be logged in and can complete the initial setup.

Restore a Subscription Purchased Through Apple

If you’ve previously purchased a subscription through Apple and need to restore it, follow these steps.

  1. Click Log In.
  2. Click Restore Purchase.
  3. The App Store will check your purchase history and automatically restore your subscription.

Complete the Initial Setup

After signing in, follow these steps to configure PIA on your Apple TV. 

  1. Choose whether to share anonymous connection statistics to help improve PIA. Note that these statistics don’t contain any personally identifiable information. Click either Accept or No, thanks. You can change your decision later.
  2. On the next screen, click Configure PIA. 
  3. When prompted to add VPN configurations, click Allow.
  4. You’ll now be taken to the PIA dashboard. 

Connect Your Apple TV to a VPN Server

You can connect using PIA’s recommended server or select a server in a specific location. 

Use the Recommended Server

Use the recommended server so PIA can automatically select a suitable location for your connection. 

  1. Ensure Optimal Location is set to Automatic, which is the default.
  2. Press the yellow power button on the PIA dashboard to connect to the optimal server. 

Note: PIA connections on Apple TV use IKEv2.

  1. When the VPN is connected, the power button will turn green. You can now manage PIA, choose another server location, or open another app while connected to the VPN. 

Choose a Server in Another Location

You can choose a different server location whether the VPN is connected or disconnected. 

  1. Select the Location Button below the VPN Power Button. Alternatively, open the Location Selection tab in the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Choose the location you want PIA to connect to. 
    • If you have a specific server in mind, navigate to the Search tab. Here you can choose a recommended server or click Search for a Location to search for a specific country.

Save Frequently Used Servers

You can save frequently used server locations as favorites so you can find and reconnect to them more quickly. 

  1. Navigate to the Location Selection tab.
  2. Find a server you want to add to your favorites. Highlight the server, then press and hold the center button on your Apple TV remote. 
  3. Click Add to Favorites. 
  4. Once you’ve added a favorite server, a new Favorites category will appear on the left side of the screen. Here, you can connect to your favorite servers by clicking on them. 
    • To unfavorite a server, long-press it in the Favorites list and click Remove from Favorites.

Note: Favorites will also appear on the PIA dashboard under your most recent server location. 

Disconnect from the Current Server

You can disconnect from your current server from the PIA dashboard.

  1. Navigate to the PIA dashboard while connected to a server.
  2. Click the green power button to disconnect from the current server. You can now manage PIA on your Apple TV or reconnect to your most recent server.

Manage PIA on Your Apple TV

In addition to connecting to different servers, you can configure a dedicated IP, review information about the app, manage optional data sharing, or contact PIA support.

Set Up a Dedicated IP

A dedicated IP gives you an IP address assigned only to your PIA account rather than shared with other users.

Note: A dedicated IP is only available as a paid add-on to your PIA subscription.

  1. From the PIA dashboard, click the gear icon in the top right corner. 
  2. Click Dedicated IP.
  3. Enter your dedicated IP token and click Activate.
  4. Connect to your dedicated IP address to browse using the same IP whenever you use PIA.

View App Information and Contact Support 

Open the help menu from the PIA dashboard to check the app version, contact customer support, or access legal information. 

  1. Select ? in the top-right corner.
    • You can check the version number currently installed on your Apple TV.
    • Scan the QR code to contact PIA customer support.
    • Select About to view PIA’s privacy policy and acknowledgements.

Choose Whether to Help Improve PIA

You can change the Help Improve PIA preference you selected during the initial setup at any time. 

  1. From the PIA dashboard, select ? in the top right corner.
  2. Toggle the Help Improve PIA switch to your desired selection. 

Remove PIA from Your Apple TV

You can sign out of your PIA account or remove the app from your Apple TV if you no longer want to use it on the device. 

Sign Out of Your PIA Account

Sign out to remove your PIA account from the app without uninstalling it from your Apple TV. 

  1. From the PIA dashboard, click the gear icon in the top right corner. 
  2. Click Account.
  3. Click Log Out.

Note: From the Account menu, you can also see your username and when your next renewal date is. 

Uninstall the PIA App

Uninstall PIA to remove the app and its locally stored data from your Apple TV.

  1. From the Apple TV dashboard, navigate to the PIA app.  
  2. Long-press the middle button on your Apple TV remote, then press Delete App.
  3. Confirm your selection by pressing Delete. Alternatively, click Offload to free up storage space while keeping your PIA user data and login information.

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