· Firestick.io Team · Guides · 12 min read
How to Install ExpressVPN on an ONN Streaming Device (2026 Guide)
ExpressVPN doesn't have a native ONN app — but these three workarounds actually work. Step-by-step guide for ONN 4K Streaming Box and Stick users.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you before you buy an ONN device: ExpressVPN doesn’t have a native app for it. No Google Play Store listing, no sideloading workaround, no “just search and install” moment. The ONN 4K Streaming Box and Stick run a locked-down version of Google TV that simply doesn’t play nice with VPN apps the way Android TV boxes do.
I spent two weeks trying every method that exists to get VPN protection on my ONN box — MediaStreamer DNS setup, router-level installation, screen mirroring, the works. Some of them actually work. This guide covers the three methods that held up, in order from easiest to most involved.
You can’t install ExpressVPN directly on an ONN Streaming Device — the OS blocks it. Your best options are MediaStreamer (DNS setup) for quick geo-unblocking, or router-level installation for full VPN encryption. If you want a VPN that actually works natively on more devices, Surfshark is the easier long-term solution.
Why ExpressVPN Won’t Install Directly on ONN
Most VPN guides skip past this part and go straight to steps. Let’s not do that.
The ONN 4K Streaming Box and Stick run Google TV — but it’s a stripped-down, Walmart-configured version. There’s no Google Play Store with full app access the way you’d find on a Chromecast with Google TV or a Sony Android TV. Developer mode is locked out, which means sideloading APKs isn’t a reliable option either. ONN’s locked OS frequently resets settings and blocks installs that would work fine on an open Android TV device.
The result: ExpressVPN’s Android TV APK can’t be installed through any reliable method. What you can do instead is route your ONN’s traffic through ExpressVPN using DNS or a VPN-enabled router.
What I Tested For
Over two weeks on my ONN 4K Streaming Box (connected to a 400 Mbps cable connection), I ran through every method published online. Here’s what I was evaluating:
- Does it actually work on ONN specifically? Not on generic Android TV — on the ONN hardware with its locked-down Google TV build.
- Does it survive a reboot? Some DNS settings reset on restart. I let every method run through at least five power cycles.
- Does streaming actually unblock? I tested Netflix US/UK libraries, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer through each method.
- What’s the speed cost? I ran Speedtest before and after each method.
Three methods made the cut. One doesn’t.
Method 1: MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) — Easiest, No Encryption
MediaStreamer is ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS service. It doesn’t route your traffic through a VPN tunnel — instead, it reroutes the DNS requests that streaming services use to check your location. The result is geo-unblocking without full encryption. No speed loss, no traffic routing overhead, and it works on ONN because it’s just a DNS server change.
The downside is real: your ISP can still see what you’re streaming. MediaStreamer is a geo-unblocking tool, not a privacy tool.
What you need: An active ExpressVPN subscription.
Set Up ExpressVPN MediaStreamer on ONN
5 stepsRegister Your IP Address
On a phone, tablet, or computer, go to the ExpressVPN website and log into your account. Navigate to the DNS Settings or MediaStreamer section. Register your current IP address — this links your IP to ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer servers. You’ll also find the two DNS server addresses here. Write them down.
Open Network Settings on ONN
On your ONN device, go to Settings (the gear icon) → Network & Internet. Select your connected Wi-Fi network, then tap the gear icon next to it to open the network details.
Switch to Static IP
Scroll down and change IP settings from DHCP to Static. This prevents your router from overriding the DNS settings you’re about to enter. Your current IP address, gateway, and subnet mask should auto-fill — don’t change those values.
Enter MediaStreamer DNS Addresses
In the DNS 1 and DNS 2 fields, enter the server addresses from your ExpressVPN account page. These are the MediaStreamer DNS servers tied to your registered IP. Save the settings.
Restart and Test
Restart your ONN device. Open Netflix or Disney+ and attempt to access a library from a region you couldn’t before. If the geo-unblock worked, the content should load. If you get an error, check that your home IP matches the one you registered in step 1 — dynamic IPs change, and you’ll need to re-register if yours did.
Method 2: Router-Level VPN — Full Protection for Every Device
This is the method I ended up using long-term. Install ExpressVPN on your router, and every device on that network — your ONN box, your phone, your smart TV — gets full VPN protection automatically. No app required on the ONN itself.
The setup is more involved, but once it’s done, you never touch it again.
What you need: A router that supports VPN client mode. ExpressVPN has setup guides for common router firmware (DD-WRT, OpenWRT, Asus Merlin). If you want zero configuration, ExpressVPN’s own Aircove router has the app built in.
Install ExpressVPN on Your Router
4 stepsCheck Router Compatibility
Log into your router’s admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Check the firmware version — you need DD-WRT, OpenWRT, Tomato, or Asus Merlin to install ExpressVPN. If your router uses stock firmware, you’ll either need to flash it or replace the router. ExpressVPN’s Aircove router has the app pre-installed and costs around $190.
Download Router Config Files
Log into your ExpressVPN account on a computer. Navigate to Set Up Other Devices → Router → select your router type. Download the OpenVPN or WireGuard configuration files for the server location you want. You’ll also need your ExpressVPN username and password from this page.
Configure VPN on the Router
In your router admin panel, find the VPN or OpenVPN client section. Upload the configuration file, enter your ExpressVPN credentials, and enable the VPN client. The exact path varies by router — ExpressVPN’s support site has model-specific guides. Save and apply the settings.
Connect ONN to the VPN Router
Connect your ONN device to the VPN-enabled router’s Wi-Fi network (or via ethernet if you have an ONN box with an ethernet port). All traffic from the ONN now routes through ExpressVPN. Switch server locations by logging into your router admin panel and changing the VPN configuration file.
Method 3: Screen Mirroring — Quick but Clunky
The third option is casting or mirroring from a VPN-enabled device — your phone or laptop — to your TV. Connect to ExpressVPN on your phone, then cast to your ONN device via Miracast or a Chromecast-compatible method.
This works in a pinch. It’s not a long-term solution because you’re tethering your TV experience to your phone’s screen, your phone’s battery, and your phone staying in range. The moment your phone locks or you need it for something else, the stream breaks.
Use this for occasional international content access, not as your everyday setup.
ExpressVPN on ONN: Honest Assessment
ExpressVPN
- MediaStreamer works reliably for geo-unblocking Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer
- Router installation gives full encryption on every home device
- Aircove router is the cleanest “set and forget” option
- Fast speeds when router hardware can keep up
✓ Pros
- MediaStreamer is genuinely fast — no speed overhead for geo-unblocking
- Router installation works on ONN and every other device simultaneously
- ExpressVPN's server network is reliable for unblocking streaming libraries
- Support documentation for router setup is thorough
✕ Cons
- No native ONN app — requires a workaround no matter what
- MediaStreamer has zero encryption — not suitable for privacy
- Router setup requires compatible hardware; Aircove adds ~$190 to the cost
- Annual plan is the most expensive on this list at ~$8.32/month
- DNS settings on ONN can reset after firmware updates, requiring re-setup
How ExpressVPN Compares for ONN Users
Quick comparison before you commit to an ExpressVPN subscription for your ONN setup:
| VPN | Native ONN App | Router Support | MediaStreamer/DNS | Price (Annual) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🏆  Surfshark Editor's Choice | No | Yes (WireGuard) | Manual DNS | ~$2.49/mo | 9.2/10 |
| ExpressVPN | No | Yes + Aircove | Yes (built-in) | ~$8.32/mo | 7.1/10 |
 NordVPN Most Servers | No | Yes | SmartDNS | ~$3.69/mo | 8.2/10 |
The honest summary: no VPN has a native ONN app. Surfshark and NordVPN both support router installation and cost significantly less than ExpressVPN long-term. If you’re starting fresh, Surfshark is the better fit for ONN users — the router setup is comparable, the price is a third of ExpressVPN’s, and you can run it on unlimited devices simultaneously.
ExpressVPN makes sense if you’re already a subscriber or if MediaStreamer’s pre-built DNS infrastructure is specifically what you’re after.
Surfshark
- Router installation works cleanly — WireGuard protocol available
- Unlimited simultaneous devices on one subscription
- Covers your ONN, phones, laptops, and tablets all at once
- Fast speeds at 500 Mbps+ connections with minimal overhead
Get Surfshark — Best VPN for ONN Streaming
→Troubleshooting Common Issues
DNS settings reset after reboot: ONN devices running on DHCP will sometimes pull DNS from your router again after a restart. The fix is switching to a static IP in your network settings (covered in Method 1, Step 3). If it keeps resetting, check if ONN received a firmware update — updates can overwrite manual network settings.
MediaStreamer not unblocking Netflix: Your registered IP may have changed if you’re on a dynamic IP plan. Log back into your ExpressVPN account, find the MediaStreamer/DNS settings page, and re-register your current IP address. Netflix also periodically blocks known Smart DNS IP ranges, so switching to the router method provides more reliable long-term unblocking.
Router VPN causing buffering: Your router’s processor may be struggling with VPN overhead. Switching from OpenVPN to WireGuard or NordLynx protocol (if your router firmware supports it) reduces CPU load significantly. Also check if you have other high-bandwidth devices on the VPN — split-tunneling lets you exclude devices that don’t need VPN protection.
Activation code not working: If you’re setting up ExpressVPN on a router, the activation uses your router config file credentials, not the activation code. Make sure you’re downloading router-specific config files from the ExpressVPN account page rather than the standard app activation flow.
Summary: Which Method Should You Use?
- Just want to watch Netflix UK or BBC iPlayer? → MediaStreamer. Fastest setup, no speed impact, works immediately.
- Want real privacy and encryption on your ONN? → Router installation. More setup upfront, but covers every device in your house.
- Already have ExpressVPN and a compatible router? → Add the router config, connect ONN to that network, done.
- Starting fresh and not locked into ExpressVPN? → Look at Surfshark or NordVPN for the router method — both offer comparable setup at lower long-term cost.
If you’re building out a full streaming setup on ONN, a VPN is just one piece. Check out our guides on the best free streaming apps and how to troubleshoot buffering — many of those fixes apply directly to ONN devices running Google TV.
Want Live TV on Your ONN? Try Unify IPTV
→For live TV on your ONN box, Unify IPTV works cleanly with Google TV and pairs well with the VPN setup covered in this guide. Run your VPN at the router level, add Unify IPTV for live channels, and your ONN becomes a legitimately capable streaming box.
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Last updated: May 2026
