The Amazon Fire TV Stick (or Firestick for short) is one of those devices that comes along every few years and completely shakes up the accepted norm. This USB stick-sized device has revolutionised the online streaming sector, which had previously been built around either set-top boxes plugged into your TV or websites and apps which left you peering at your laptop or tablet screen. But with Smart TVs failing to capture the public’s imagination, Amazon saw an opening and their portable streaming device, which can be plugged into your TV, laptop, or any other HDMI-enabled device, has made a huge splash.
It is not just the portability of the Firestick which is attractive to users, but its flexibility. Through your Firestick, you can stream content from almost any service imaginable, including the biggest and most popular providers like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and the open-source media player Kodi. There are a number of reasons why it is highly advisable to use a VPN with your IPVanish, which we will detail below. In this guide, we will also explain the advantages of IPVanish as a VPN provider, and how to install IPVanish on Firestick.
Why Use a VPN with a Firestick?
Not everyone is convinced that they need to use a VPN when streaming content on a Firestick. They argue that they are using their Firestick to stream legitimate content and it is an unnecessary cost that will only serve to slow down their internet connections. This is based on a false premise, as the best VPNs will only have a minimal impact on speeds. But it also overlooks a number of compelling reasons why VPNs should be essential tools for all Firestick users:
- Security: The Firestick is built on a version of the Android operating system known as Fire OS. Android is hugely popular but also notoriously insecure. This leaves Firestick users open to attacks from hackers as well as surveillance from Governments, ISPs, and other bodies. A VPN will encrypt all of the online data coming from your Firestick protecting you against these risks.
- Public Wi-Fi: One of the big attractions of a Firestick is its portability with people thinking they can take their entertainment anywhere in the world. But this will often mean using public Wi-Fi in hotels and other places which is also very insecure. Again, the encryption offered by a VPN will allow you to use your Firestick on these networks safely.
- Accessing content abroad: While it is easy to take the Firestick device around the world, many of the most popular streaming services people use it for are geo-restricted to only be used in a single country. With a VPN, it is possible to bypass these restrictions and access content no matter where you are.
- Using Kodi: The Firestick is a hugely popular device for Kodi users, but like every other device there are risks of legal repercussions if you are found to be using Kodi to access content illegally on your Firestick. But a VPN can protect you from this and allow you to use Kodi on a Firestick with confidence by encrypting data and allowing you to go online anonymously.
Why Choose IPVanish?
IPVanish is not only the most popular VPN for Firestick users, but also the best — and there are some good reasons for this. One of the biggest is the fact that IPVanish has an official add-on available in the Amazon App Store. This app has been designed specifically for Firestick users and, as you will see below, allows IPVanish to be downloaded easily onto any Firestick. This is not to be taken for granted, as this VPN provider was the first among a very few to offer dedicated software for Amazon’s device. Of course, IPVanish offers plenty more reasons why you should choose them as your VPN of choice for your Firestick.
IPVanish is one of the securest providers on the market. They offer AES 256-bit encryption, which is virtually unbreakable, as well as various other useful security features including DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch. Their connection speeds are among the fastest around too, which is ideal for those looking to stream content online. Notably for Kodi users, this VPN imposes no restrictions on either data amounts or the types of files you can use. And with more than 850 servers available in 60 countries around the world, IPVanish is a great bet for those who want to unblock geo-restricted content around the world too.
IPVanish offers a 7-day money back guarantee which means you have a week to test it risk-free. Please note that Addictive Tips readers can save a massive 60% here on the IPVanish annual plan, taking the monthly price down to only $4.87/mo.
How to Install IPVanish on Firestick
There was a time fairly recently when installing a VPN onto a Firestick was a real pain. But that all changed when IPVanish became the first provider to get their app into the Amazon Appstore. Now, the process of downloading and installing the Amazon Firestick onto your Firestick could not be easier. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:
- Switch on your Firestick and navigate to the Search facility on the menu along the top of your homepage. The search icon looks like a magnifying glass.
- A keyboard screen containing letters and numbers will appear. Navigate around and click the letters to enter IPV into the search facility. (Don’t worry about letter cases).
- Underneath the keyboard, the option IPVanish should now appear. If it doesn’t, just keep entering more letters of the name IPVanish into the keyboard until it does. Once you see it, scroll down and click where it says IPVanish.
- Under the heading Apps and Games, the IPVanish VPN app should now be listed. Click on it.
- The following screen will contain a few details about the app and a button to install it. Click on Install.
- Once the download and installation process has completed, you will be invited to Open the add-on. Click on this button.
- An IPVanish login screen will now appear and you will need to enter your IPVanish Username and Password. You can sign up for IPVanish using the links above.
- Once you have entered the correct username and password, click Login.
- The IPVanish App is now ready to use.
Generational Issues
Amazon Firestick users should be aware that a VPN can only be used with 2nd generation devices. If you own a 1st Generation Firestick you will find that, while the installation process outlined above will work, the IPVanish addon will not work. We have spoken with IPVanish about this issue and they have confirmed that it remains the case and there is no workaround to get a VPN working. If you do own a 1st generation Firestick, it is therefore strongly advisable on security and privacy grounds to upgrade to a 2nd generation model. The new Firestick itself is not particularly expensive, with Amazon currently listing the device for $39.99.
If you are not sure what generation your Fire TV Stick is, open the device and navigate to Settings, then System, and then About. Take a look at which version of the operating system your device is running. A 1st generation Fire TV Stick can only update to Fire OS 5.2.1.2, but a 2nd generation one will be running Fire OS 5.2.2 or later.
How to Use the IPVanish App on Firestick
Once you have installed the IPVanish Amazon app onto your Firestick and logging into your account, the app is extremely simple to use. The homepage consists primarily of a graph which indicates the available download and upload speeds when the VPN is connected. To the left of the screen are the four main menu options:
- Connect – this is the button you click to connect to an IPVanish server. When you are connected, this changes to a Disconnect
- Country – Clicking on this tab will open up a menu consisting primarily of large flags and the names of each country in which IPVanish providers servers. At the very top is a Best Available. This is will be the default setting when you first log in and will connect you to the fastest server for your particular location.
- City – Many of the countries that host IPVanish servers have them in more than one location. In smaller countries, this is less important, but if you are connecting to somewhere like the USA, it can make a difference in speeds whether you are connected to LA or New York. A list of available cities will appear when you click on this link, with Best Available again the default setting.
- Server – If you want to get technical, this menu option gives you the opportunity to specify the exact server you want to connect to. It also defaults to best available and for users, it will be fine to leave it at that.
Unless you are trying to connect to a specific country, new users should be fine to simply click on Connect and then wait a few moments while IPVanish automatically hooks you up to the fastest available server. When you connect for the first time, it will pop up a Connection Request which will ask you if you are happy for IPVanish to monitor your network. Click Ok to complete the connection. IPVanish keeps no user logs so there are no risks associated with agreeing to this. Once connected, the graph will spring into life and you can leave the app and use other apps at your leisure.
In the top right of the screen are two icons. The one which looks like a person will show your account details and also give you the option to log out of that account. The gear wheel icon is the settings function and gives you a number of extra functions.
- Android Startup – Ticking the box titled Start IPVanish will ensure the IPVanish app opens up automatically when you start using your Firestick.
- IPVanish Startup – Clicking on the Startup Connection Action option allows you to choose whether to connect to the last connected server or the fastest server automatically on startup or otherwise to not connect automatically.
- Connection – The Auto Reconnect setting is defaulted to on, but you can switch it off if you wish. You can also activate Scramble which IPVanish say will “add obfuscation capacity to OpenVPN allowing it to bypass network traffic sensors which aim to detect usage of a VPN and block it”. You can also switch VPN Protocol too.
- Port – The Change IP Address every option allows you to instruct IPVanish to regularly switch IP Address. This option will cause a short break in connection and the minimum length of time available between switches in 45 minutes.
- About – This section includes the IPVanish Terms of Service and Customer Support details.
Once you are connected to an IPVanish VPN server, it is safe to leave the app running in the background while you use your Firestick for streaming content or other things. It is advisable to ensure that IPVanish connects on startup and your Auto Reconnect setting remains enabled to give you maximum protection when doing anything on a Firestick, but especially if you are using Kodi. But for most users, once this has been set up, you shouldn’t ever have to think about the IPVanish app again. It will just be there working in the background to deliver security and privacy protection whatever you are doing on your Firestick.
Conclusion
Firestick, when equipped with Kodi and IPVanish has transformed the way that we stream, making it easier than ever to enjoy the vast offerings of the internet on your home television. How do you harness the potential of this device? Do you have any tips or tricks for optimising the experience? Or, did you have some trouble with our installation instructions? Leave a comment below!