Apple is set to allow VPN apps on the Apple TV App Store with the release of tvOS 17 this fall.
Apple, which shared details about the nascent VPN support on its website, says the move will "benefit enterprise and education users wanting to access content on their private networks," thus allowing Apple TV "to be a great office and conference room solution in even more places."
A virtual private network (VPN) creates an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server run by the VPN service. While hiding your browsing history from your internet service provider, a VPN also changes your visible IP address to the address of the VPN server, which makes it popular for people who want to access geographically restricted content.
As 9to5Mac reports, it's unlikely that developers will release their VPN apps on the Apple TV App Store before the fall release of tvOS 17. Other TV streaming devices, like Amazon's Fire TV Stick and Android/Google TV, have supported VPN apps for a while now. CNET notes that the only ways to get around Apple TV's lack of VPN support were to run the VPN through a router or share your VPN connection from your computer.
The tvOS 17 update is currently only available as a beta for Apple Developer Program membersl; Apple says a public beta program will be available next month via the Apple Beta website. It won't land as a free software update for all Apple TV 4K and fourth-generation HD units (released in 2015 and later) until the fall.
Further features in the tvOS 17 update include a redesigned Control Center, FaceTime and Dolby Vision 8.1 support, as well as Enhance Dialogue, which lets users more clearly hear what is being said over the effects, action, and music in a movie or TV show.
