How to Configure SmartDNS on Apple TV?

Apple TV Setup for Smart DNS Proxy

Smart TVs have only emerged a couple of years ago, but its popularity has been unpredictable and almost all people now want to have one in their own home. There are many companies that are producing this latest home appliance innovation and one of the popular ones is from Apple. The Apple TV is one of the leading models of Smart TVs that rocked the market since they were first released. These TVs have been popular because of their features and usability. They are also working with applications, thus making it easier to operate.

Unfortunately, there are some contents and applications present to Smart TVs that are restricted based on the user’s geographical location like Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming video and media services. It will be impossible to access those apps if you are not in the country where they are allowed. But thanks to SmartDNS and other similar technology, access to those restricted contents is now possible.

What is SmartDNS?

SmartDNS is a new technology that is similar to VPN technology. It works by re-routing the TV’s DNS queries through a server from another part of the world, masking their true location. In other words, SmartDNS will just trick your TV and will let it think that you are in the country you specified in the configuration. By doing that, you will be able to gain access to websites and applications that are restricted only to that particular country. And the best part is, it is very simple to configure, will work automatically on supported devices, and will not affect your internet browsing. You should also know that Smart DNS is only designed to unblock services. It does not offer security and privacy benefits like a VPN.

Well then, enough with the introductions, let’s get our hands dirty and get this job done, shall we?
The first thing that you need to do is to log in to your PC which uses the same wired/wireless network to their site so their system will be able to recognize your IP address. You will be able to find your IP address there and even update your IP address on their database. After that, you can now start tweaking your Apple TV for Smart DNS. Just follow these simple steps and you will definitely gain access to those contents in no time.

Set your Location in your Apple TV

The first thing you need to do is to trick your TV into thinking that you are in another country. Let’s say you want to access contents that are only allowed to the United States, so you have to set your location to the United States. Here are the steps on how to change your location.

  • Step 1 – On your Apple TV, use the remote to navigate and select Settings. On the Settings Page, select General, and then look for iTunes Store. On the iTunes Store Page, find and select Location.
  • Step 2 – Select United States so you’re TV will think that you’re in the United States
  • Step 3 – Return back to the main screen of your Apple TV.

Configure your Network and DNS Servers of your  Apple TV

This is where stuffs get interesting. After tricking your Apple TV into thinking that you are in the United States, the next step for you to do is to configure the DNS. This is where the magic will take place, so you have to be careful when configuring the DNS of your TV.

  • Step 1 – Navigate and select Settings and find the General tab. Under the General Page, look for the Network option.
  • Step 2 – Choose the connection you are using for your TV. Select Wi-Fi if you are using a wireless network to connect your Apple TV on the internet or Ethernet if you are using a wired connection.
  • Step 3 – If you are using Wi-Fi, you will be asked to enter the password of your wireless network if you didn’t do it before, so provide the accurate password in order to proceed to the next step.
  • Step 4 – After configuring your Network, the next step you have to do is to configure the DNS. Go to Configure DNS and switch the mode to Manual.
    Step 5 – You will then be asked to provide a DNS server IP address. Before changing the IP, you should save a copy of the existing DNS address/setting before
  • changing them so you put it back if ever you want to stop using the service. Input the Preferred DNS server of 23.21.43.50 or the Alternate DNS server IP of 54.229.171.243 and click “Done” to proceed.
  • Step 6 – Go to the Network Screen and confirm if the DNS address displayed is correct.

Let the SmartDNS configuration take effect

In order for the configurations to take effect and for you to be able to access blocked apps on your Apple TV, you should first restart your TV. Here are the instructions to restart your Apple TV.

  • Step 1 – Go back to the main menu of your TV. Then select Settings.
  • Step 2 -Choose General from the Settings page, and then select Restart.

Mission Accomplished, Just few things to remember with your Apple TV

After restarting your Apple TV, you will now be able to access blocked apps on your TV! Congratulations! I know that you are so excited to try and enjoy those newly unlocked apps on your Apple TV, but you should remember these few simple things so you will know what to do once you encounter problems related to these.

This setup is only needed to be done once. As long as your IP address will be on their database, your connection will work anytime. You should also remember that whenever the IP of your Apple TV or Router changes, then the service will stop working for you. If you encounter a problem like this, all you have to do is to log in to their site and update your IP address. Just click activate my IP link on your account to update your IP.

As simple as that, you have configured your Apple TV to access blocked applications and web contents on the internet. Enjoy.

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