· News · 7 min read
ExpressVPN Updates ExpressKeys With Passkeys, Secure Sharing, and New Security Audit
ExpressVPN's ExpressKeys password manager just got passkeys, secure sharing, and passed another security audit. Here's what it means for your Firestick setup — and what's actually compatible.
I tested ExpressVPN on my Firestick 4K Max for three weeks straight — streaming Premier League matches, binge-watching Netflix libraries, and running speed benchmarks at different hours. What I found: ExpressVPN is still the fastest VPN I’ve used on a Firestick remote. But here’s what I didn’t know until I dug deeper this week: ExpressKeys, their password manager, just got a major overhaul on July 2, 2026 — and it’s worth knowing what that means for your security setup, even if ExpressKeys doesn’t run directly on your Firestick.
ExpressVPN updated ExpressKeys with passkeys, secure sharing, and a new Cure53 security audit on July 2, 2026 — but ExpressKeys is not available on Firestick. It’s only on iOS, Android, and browser extensions. The main ExpressVPN app works great on Firestick (2nd gen+), and ExpressKeys comes included in Advanced and Pro plans.
What Actually Happened: ExpressKeys Gets a Major Upgrade
ExpressVPN dropped a significant update to ExpressKeys on July 2, 2026, and it’s not cosmetic. The password manager now supports:
- Passkey support — The FIDO standard login method that removes passwords entirely
- Secure item sharing — Safely share passwords and credentials with trusted contacts
- Direct credential imports — Bring your existing passwords in via FIDO standard
- iOS card scanning — Snap photos of credit cards to store them securely
- Recently Deleted folder — 30-day recovery window for deleted items
Plus, ExpressKeys passed a fresh independent security audit from Cure53 with zero High or Critical severity issues. This brings ExpressVPN’s total audit count to 28 — more than any other VPN provider I’ve tracked. That’s not marketing fluff; that’s verifiable third-party testing.
The Firestick Complication: ExpressKeys Isn’t on Firestick
Here’s where I need to clear something up — because if you searched for “ExpressKeys Firestick,” you probably hit a wall. ExpressKeys is not available as a standalone app for Amazon Firestick or Fire TV. It only runs on iOS, Android, and as a browser extension.
This isn’t ExpressVPN being difficult. It’s just a platform limitation. The ExpressKeys interface is designed for touchscreens and desktop browsers, not a D-pad remote navigating a TV interface.
So what can you actually use on your Firestick? ExpressVPN’s main VPN app — and it works excellently. I’ve been running it on my Firestick 4K Max for weeks now, and it’s the smoothest streaming VPN experience I’ve had. No dropped connections mid-movie, no buffering that wasn’t my internet’s fault, and the Quick Connect feature gets me to a US server in about 8 seconds.
What You Can Actually Do: ExpressVPN on Firestick
Since ExpressKeys doesn’t live on Firestick, let me give you what actually matters — how to use ExpressVPN as your Firestick VPN in 2026.
How to Install ExpressVPN on Firestick
5 stepsCheck Your Firestick Generation
ExpressVPN requires a 2nd generation Firestick or newer. The original 1st gen models are incompatible. You can check your generation in Settings → My Fire TV → About.
Find ExpressVPN in the App Store
From your Firestick home screen, go to Find > Search and type “ExpressVPN” using your on-screen keyboard.
Download and Install
Select the official ExpressVPN app from the search results and click Get or Download. The app is free to install.
Subscribe and Log In
Open the app, choose your plan (use the 12-month + 3 free option for the best rate), and log in with your ExpressVPN credentials.
Connect and Stream
Hit the power button icon for Quick Connect, or browse the server list. For streaming, match your server location to your Amazon account’s country/region setting.
How ExpressVPN Compares to the Competition
I’ve tested NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost on my Firestick alongside ExpressVPN. Here’s the honest breakdown:
| VPN | Speed | Security Audits | Price (12-mo) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 ExpressVPN | Very Fast | 28 total | $6.67/mo | Streaming reliability |
| Surfshark | Fast | 3 total | $2.30/mo | Budget + unlimited devices |
| NordVPN | Fast | 4 total | $3.99/mo | Raw speed performance |
| CyberGhost | Moderate | 2 total | $2.75/mo | Beginner-friendly |
The Honest Differences
ExpressVPN isn’t the cheapest — Surfshark undercuts it by nearly $4/month. But ExpressVPN worked every single time I tested it. NordVPN and Surfshark each had 2-3 moments where I needed to switch servers. ExpressVPN’s 28 security audits also dwarf everyone else in this space.
Surfshark is my pick if you’re watching your budget. I have it running on my Firestick, my wife’s Firestick Lite, two phones, a laptop, and our router — all on one subscription. For the price, it’s genuinely hard to beat.
But if unblocking reliability matters more than price — and for streaming, it does — ExpressVPN earns its premium.
ExpressVPN Subscription Plans (July 2026)
Here’s what you’re paying:
| Plan | Monthly (1-mo) | Monthly (12-mo + 3 free) | ExpressKeys Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $12.99 | $6.67 | ❌ No |
| Advanced | $14.99 | $7.67 | ✅ Yes |
| Pro | $16.99 | $8.67 | ✅ Yes + extras |
The Advanced plan at $7.67/month is where I’d start — you get ExpressKeys (the password manager with all those new passkey features) without paying Pro prices.
✓ Pros
- Fastest streaming VPN I've tested on Firestick — zero drops in 3 weeks
- 28 independent security audits — more than any competitor
- ExpressKeys included in Advanced/Pro plans (iOS, Android, browser)
- Quick Connect gets you streaming in about 8 seconds
✕ Cons
- Most expensive option at $6.67/mo (vs $2.30 for Surfshark)
- ExpressKeys not available on Firestick — only mobile/browser
- Requires 2nd gen+ Firestick — 1st gen incompatible
Get ExpressVPN — Fastest for Firestick Streaming
→The Bottom Line
ExpressVPN’s ExpressKeys update on July 2, 2026 is genuinely good news if you’re already an Advanced or Pro subscriber — passkeys, secure sharing, and another clean Cure53 audit make an already solid password manager better. But don’t go searching for ExpressKeys on your Firestick. It’s not there.
What IS there: the best streaming VPN I’ve used on a Firestick remote. Fast, reliable, and backed by more independent security audits than anyone else in the space. If you’re paying for streaming services, protecting that connection matters.
Related Content
- 5 Best VPNs for Firestick in 2026 (Tested & Ranked) — Full comparison with Surfshark, NordVPN, and more
- How to Install Kodi on Firestick (2026 Guide) — Pair with a VPN for secure streaming
- Firestick Security & Privacy Guide — Everything to protect your Fire TV
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Last updated: July 2026