VPN for VR: Do you need to use one?

A VPN can be useful with a VR headset if you want to change your apparent location, protect your IP address in online games, or secure your connection on public Wi-Fi. However, the best way to use a VPN depends on your headset.

Apple Vision Pro supports VPN apps through the App Store, while Meta Quest headsets don’t offer the same straightforward VPN-app experience. With a Quest 2 or Quest 3, you can instead run the VPN on your router, share a VPN connection from a computer, or sideload a compatible Android VPN app.

This guide explains when a VPN is useful for VR, which setup method to use, and how to get a VPN working with Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro.

Can you use a VPN with a VR headset?

Yes, but the setup varies between devices:

Apple Vision Pro: Install a compatible VPN app from the App Store and connect normally.

Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3: The simplest option is usually to connect the headset to a router running a VPN. You can also share a VPN connection from a Windows or Mac computer. Sideloading a VPN app is another option, although it is more complicated and compatibility can vary.

The important point is that you don’t necessarily need a VPN app installed on the headset itself. If the headset connects to a VPN-enabled router or VPN hotspot, its internet traffic can be routed through the VPN connection.

For most Quest users, a VPN-enabled router or shared computer connection is the least troublesome approach. Sideloading is worth considering if you specifically need the VPN to travel with the headset.

Why use a VPN with VR?

A VPN isn’t essential for VR. It can, however, be useful in a few specific situations.

Change your apparent location

A VPN replaces your public IP address with one belonging to the VPN server. Connecting to a server in another country can therefore make websites and some online services treat your connection as coming from that location.

This can be useful when traveling and trying to access services that are normally available in your home country. However, a VPN doesn’t guarantee access to region-restricted VR content. Some services use additional information, such as your account region or payment details, to determine your location.

Hide your IP address from other players

Some multiplayer services and peer-to-peer connections can expose IP addresses to other participants. Routing the connection through a VPN can hide your real public IP address from those parties when the relevant traffic passes through the VPN.

This can provide an additional layer of privacy in multiplayer games, although it isn’t a guarantee against every form of abuse or DDoS attack.

Protect yourself on public Wi-Fi

VR headsets can be used away from home, including in hotels, cafés, universities, and other public spaces. A VPN encrypts the connection between the headset and the VPN server. This can reduce the risk of someone on the same network monitoring unencrypted traffic.

Modern websites and apps already use HTTPS, so a VPN isn’t a replacement for normal security practices. It is an additional layer of protection, particularly on networks you don’t control.

Try a different network route

A VPN changes the route your traffic takes to its destination. In some cases, this can improve connectivity if your ISP has an inefficient route to a particular game or service.

However, this isn’t guaranteed. A VPN can also increase latency because your traffic has to travel to the VPN server before reaching its destination. If you’re experiencing connection problems, try a nearby VPN server rather than assuming a VPN will automatically improve performance.

How to use a VPN with Meta Quest 2 or Quest 3

Meta Quest headsets don’t provide the same straightforward VPN-app installation experience as a device such as a phone or computer.

You have three main options:

Option 1: Install the VPN on your router

Running the VPN on your router is generally the simplest solution if you regularly use VR at home. Once the router establishes the VPN connection, connect your Quest to the router’s Wi-Fi network. The headset can then use the VPN connection without requiring a VPN app to be installed on the headset. However, note that not all routers are compatible with VPNs — this tends to be the case with network-issued routers.

See our guides for:

• setting up a VPN on a Linksys router
• setting up a VPN on a Netgear router
• setting up a VPN on an ASUS router
• setting up a VPN on a TP-Link router

Option 2: Share a VPN connection from your computer

If your router doesn’t support VPN connections, you can share a VPN connection from a Windows PC or Mac and connect your Quest to the resulting Wi-Fi network.

This is useful for occasional VR use, but there is an obvious drawback: your computer needs to remain connected and configured as the VPN gateway while you use the headset.

For Windows, this involves enabling Mobile Hotspot and configuring Internet Connection Sharing for the VPN adapter. The exact adapter name and available sharing options depend on the VPN provider and Windows configuration.

On macOS, you can use Internet Sharing to share an internet connection over Wi-Fi, although the available options depend on your Mac’s network interfaces and macOS version.

Option 3: Sideload a VPN app

Quest is based on Android, so it is possible to sideload compatible Android applications.

This is an advanced option and isn’t as reliable as using a VPN at the router level. VPN apps may not be designed for a VR interface, may not be fully compatible with Quest, and some providers use login flows that don’t work correctly in the headset’s environment.

If you want to try this approach, you’ll need to enable Developer Mode and use a tool such as SideQuest to install the VPN’s APK. Our full guide to setting up a VPN on Meta Quest covers the process in detail.

Troubleshooting a VPN on Meta Quest

If you sideload a VPN and it doesn’t work, check these first:

• Use a data-capable USB cable: Some USB-C cables only provide charging.
• Check Developer Mode: Make sure Developer Mode is still enabled on the Meta account associated with the headset.
• Check USB debugging: Quest should display a prompt asking whether to allow the connected computer to access the device.
• Use the desktop version of SideQuest: The web version doesn’t provide the same APK-installation options.
• Try another VPN server: A particular server may be congested or have routing problems.
• Check the VPN’s login process: Some VPN apps rely on browser-based authentication that may not work correctly when sideloaded onto Quest.
• Test without the VPN: If the headset works normally when disconnected from the VPN, the problem is more likely to be VPN compatibility or routing than the headset’s Wi-Fi connection.

How to use a VPN with Apple Vision Pro

Apple Vision Pro is simpler because you can install compatible VPN apps directly from the App Store.

To get started:

1. Install a VPN app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and sign in.
3. Approve the VPN configuration when prompted.
4. Connect to a nearby VPN server.
5. Test your connection before starting a VR game or streaming session.

For the best performance, choose a server that is geographically close to you unless you specifically need an IP address in another country.

What should you look for in a VR VPN?

VR places more emphasis on latency than many ordinary browsing activities. A VPN that is excellent for web browsing isn’t necessarily ideal for multiplayer VR.

Look for:

• Low latency: Important for multiplayer games and other real-time applications.
• Good speeds: VR streaming can require substantial bandwidth.
• Nearby servers: A nearby server will usually provide lower latency than one on another continent.
• Router support: Particularly important for Quest users who don’t want to sideload an app.
• A reliable kill switch: Useful if you don’t want the headset to fall back to your normal connection if the VPN disconnects.
• Compatible apps: Check that the provider supports the device or setup method you intend to use.

Best VPNs for VR

Our current top VPNs for VR are:

• NordVPN — Best overall VPN for VR
• Surfshark — Best affordable option
• Proton VPN — Strong privacy option
• ExpressVPN — Easy setup and fast servers
• IPVanish — Good option for fast connections

Before choosing, check which installation method the provider supports. For Quest users, router compatibility can be more important than whether the provider has a dedicated Quest app.

Is a VPN worth using with VR?

A VPN isn’t a requirement for using a VR headset, and it can introduce some additional latency. For many people playing at home, there may be little reason to use one.

It becomes more useful if you regularly use public Wi-Fi, want to hide your IP address from other players, travel frequently, or need to access services associated with your home location.

For Meta Quest, a VPN-enabled router is usually the simplest long-term solution, while sideloading is better suited to users who want a VPN that travels with the headset. For Apple Vision Pro, installing a compatible VPN app directly is considerably simpler.

VPN for VR FAQs