Easy Guide: Share Your PC's VPN Connection - PC VPN Sharing Guide

Want to use your FreeGuard VPN on other gadgets at home, like your smart TV or game console? This guide shows you how to share the VPN connection from your Windows PC or Mac to other devices on your home network. It’s like turning your PC into a VPN hotspot!

Sharing your PC’s VPN connection has some cool perks:

Use VPN on More Devices: Some gadgets (like older smart TVs or certain game consoles) can’t install VPN apps directly. Sharing lets them use the VPN.
One VPN for All: Instead of setting up VPN on every device, just set it up on your PC and share it.
Easy Control: Manage your VPN from one place – your PC.
Better Speed (Sometimes!): Your PC might be more powerful and handle the VPN connection better than smaller devices.

What You’ll Need

Before we start, make sure you have these:

FreeGuard VPN installed and working on your computer.
You’re the admin of your Windows PC or Mac (you can change system settings).
Your computer is connected to your home internet (Wi-Fi or cable).
The other devices you want to share the VPN with (e.g., your phone, tablet, smart TV).

Recommended Method: Using FreeGuard VPN’s TUN Mode and LAN Access Features

FreeGuard VPN has built-in powerful TUN mode and LAN access features, which is the simplest and most effective sharing method.

Step 1: Enable TUN Mode and LAN Access in FreeGuard VPN

Open the FreeGuard VPN app on your PC.
Click the Settings button in the side navigation bar of the app.
In the settings page, find the TUN MODE switch and click it to turn it blue (enabled state).
Similarly, find the ALLOW LAN ACCESS switch and click it to also turn it blue (enabled state).
Click the small icon next to ALLOW LAN ACCESS to view the displayed IP address and port number information. Write down these two important pieces of information, for example:
- IP Address: 192.168.1.5
- Port Number: 7890

Step 2: Configure Manual Proxy on Other Devices

Now you need to configure manual proxy on the devices you want to use VPN with, entering the IP address and port number you just noted down.

Smartphones and Tablets

iPhone/iPad (iOS):

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi
Tap the ‘i’ icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network
Scroll down to find Configure Proxy, select Manual
Server: Enter the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.5)
Port: Enter the port number (e.g., 7890)
Tap Save

Android Phones/Tablets:

Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi
Long press the connected Wi-Fi network, select Modify network
Expand Advanced options, select Manual for proxy
Proxy hostname: Enter the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.5)
Proxy port: Enter the port number (e.g., 7890)
Tap Save

Smart TV Brand Configurations

Samsung Smart TV:

Press the Menu or Settings button on your remote
Go to Network > Network Settings > Wireless
Select your Wi-Fi network, enter Advanced Settings
Find Proxy Settings, select Manual
Enter proxy server address and port

LG Smart TV:

Press the Settings button (gear icon) on your remote
Go to Network > Wi-Fi Connection
Select the connected network, click Advanced Settings
Enable Proxy, select Manual Setup
Enter proxy server and port information

Sony Smart TV:

Press the HOME button on your remote, go to Settings
Select Network & Internet > Network
Select your Wi-Fi connection, enter Advanced Options
Find Proxy Settings, select Manual
Enter proxy information

TCL Smart TV:

Go to Settings > Network
Select Wireless Network, find the connected network
Enter Advanced Settings or More Options
Find Proxy Settings, select Manual Configuration
Enter proxy server address and port

Hisense Smart TV:

Press the Settings button on your remote
Go to Network > Network Configuration
Select Advanced Settings for Wi-Fi network
Enable Proxy Server, select Manual
Enter proxy information

Xiaomi TV:

Go to Settings > Network & Connection
Select Wi-Fi, click the connected network
Select Modify Network > Show Advanced Options
Select Manual for proxy
Enter proxy server and port

Gaming Console Configurations

PlayStation 5 (PS5):

Go to Settings > System > Network
Select Set Up Internet Connection
Select your Wi-Fi network, choose Advanced Settings
In Proxy Server option, select Use
Enter proxy server address and port

PlayStation 4 (PS4):

Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection
Select Use Wi-Fi > Custom
Select your Wi-Fi network, choose Automatic for other settings
In Proxy Server option, select Use
Enter proxy server address and port

Xbox Series X/S:

Press the Xbox button on controller, go to Settings
Select Network > Network Settings
Select Advanced Settings > Proxy
Select Manual Setup
Enter proxy server information

Xbox One:

Go to Settings > Network > Network Settings
Select Advanced Settings
Select Proxy > Manual
Enter proxy server address and port

Nintendo Switch:

Go to System Settings > Internet
Select the connected network
Select Change Settings
Find Proxy Settings, select On
Enter proxy server information

TV Boxes and Streaming Devices

Xiaomi Box:

Go to Settings > Network & Connection
Select Wi-Fi, click the connected network
Select Modify Network > Advanced Options
Select Manual for proxy
Enter proxy information

Huawei Box:

Go to Settings > Network
Select Wi-Fi settings, click the connected network
Select Advanced Settings
Enable proxy, select Manual Configuration
Enter proxy server and port

Apple TV:

Go to Settings > Network
Select your Wi-Fi network
Scroll down to find Configure Proxy
Select Manual
Enter server and port information

Amazon Fire TV Stick:

Go to Settings > Network
Select your Wi-Fi network
Select Advanced > Proxy Settings
Select Manual
Enter proxy information

Roku Devices:

Go to Settings > Network
Select your wireless network
Select Advanced System Settings > Network Proxy
Select Manual Setup
Enter proxy server information

NVIDIA Shield TV:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet
Select your Wi-Fi network
Select Modify > Advanced Options
Select Manual for proxy
Enter proxy information

Solving Common Problems

“My other devices can’t connect!”

Same Network?: Make sure your PC and the other device are on the exact same Wi-Fi network.
Firewall?: Your PC’s firewall (like Windows Defender Firewall) might be blocking the sharing. You might need to add an exception for FreeGuard VPN.
Still Enabled?: Double-check that “TUN MODE” and “ALLOW LAN ACCESS” are still in blue enabled state in the FreeGuard app.

“The internet is super slow on the shared devices!”

PC Power: Your PC is doing extra work. If it’s an older PC, it might struggle.
Wired vs. Wi-Fi: If possible, connect your PC to the router with an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. This is usually faster and more stable.
VPN Server Location: Try connecting FreeGuard VPN to a server geographically closer to you.

“The connection keeps dropping!”

PC Sleep Mode: Make sure your PC isn’t set to go to sleep or hibernate automatically. If it sleeps, the shared connection will drop.
VPN Time Limits: Some VPNs (usually free ones) have time limits. FreeGuard’s paid plans shouldn’t.

How It Works (Simplified Diagrams)

Your PC acts as a bridge between your devices and the VPN server.

How TUN Mode Proxy Works (Step-by-Step)

Your PC (with TUN Mode and LAN Access enabled) takes requests from your other devices, sends them through the VPN, and then passes the results back to your devices.

Important Security Notes

When sharing your VPN:

Trust is Key: All devices using the shared connection are trusting your PC’s security.
PC Compromise = Risk: If your PC gets a virus or is hacked, the shared VPN connection could also be at risk.
Safe Networks Only: Only share your VPN on networks you trust (like your home Wi-Fi) and with devices you trust.
PC Sees Traffic: The PC sharing the connection can, in theory, see the internet activity of the devices using its shared connection. FreeGuard VPN itself has a no-logs policy for what it sees, but the sharing PC is a different matter.

Still Need Help?

If you’re stuck or have questions:

Check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Email us at FreeGuard VPN Support.

Last updated: May 23, 2025

Easy Guide: Share Your PC’s VPN Connection

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