For years, Apple TV owners have been limited in their ability to access region-restricted content, use their devices anonymously, and unlock the full potential of streaming. That changed this week with ExpressVPN’s release of their new app for tvOS — finally bringing virtual private network capabilities natively to Apple TV.

This development opens up a world of possibilities for Apple TV users. By routing your internet traffic through remote servers, ExpressVPN allows you to bypass geographic restrictions and access movies, shows, and more that were previously unavailable or blocked in your country. According to Redditors who spotted the app last week, it’s relatively simple to switch between over 100 different country locations offered by ExpressVPN and instantly unlock region-locked libraries on popular streaming platforms.

Beyond accessing restricted content, ExpressVPN brings other key benefits like masking your IP address and internet activity from prying eyes. This adds an extra layer of privacy and security to your Apple TV that wasn’t there before. The company’s Lightway protocol aims to provide fast and stable connections too, although real-world speeds will depend on your internet plan. And while the Apple TV interface offers basic VPN functionality for now, ExpressVPN says new features will roll out soon to beta testers.

Initially, when Apple announced native VPN support on tvOS 17 earlier this year, the focus seemed to be catering to business and classroom environments rather than individual users. But with ExpressVPN showing that consumer applications are very much possible, other popular providers like NordVPN have now voiced plans to release Apple TV apps as well. More competition in the space will lead to more innovation long-term.

However, it is worth keeping your expectations realistic. Running your connection through a VPN objectively introduces more potential choke points that could slow things down. So users with particularly sluggish internet may find streaming quality impacted negatively. There’s also the reality that streaming platforms take a dim view of region hopping and could theoretically crack down on the practice.

But used judiciously and aligned with Apple’s terms of service, ExpressVPN’s new tvOS app offers Apple TV owners an exciting new upside — the ability to finally tap into their device’s full content potential no matter where they are in the world. For globetrotters and cord-cutters alike, this increased flexibility is a very welcome development.