How to set up CactusVPN App for Android TV

In this tutorial we will show you how to install and use the CactusVPN app for Android TV (for v2, follow this tutorial) and how to connect to VPN and Smart DNS using our app.

First let’s see what are our requirements:

Installation

1. First, you have to install the CactusVPN app for Android TV. You can find it on Google Play Store. Tap on “Install”.

   

When the installation process is ready open it by taping on “Open”.

Sign in

1. Type your CactusVPN account email address (1) and password (2).

   If you forgot your password, you can reset it here.

   Tap on “Sign in” (3).

   

   If you are using the CactusVPN app on a TV or on another device where it’s hard to type your username and password then you can sign in using a PIN code. To do this, tap on “Sign in using a PIN code” (4).

   Go to cactusvpn.com/pin/, generate an authentication PIN code and enter it in the “PIN code” field (5).

   Tap on “Sign in” button (6).

   

   On this screen you can also order our VPN + Smart DNS service if you still don’t have one.

2. If you have more than one active CactusVPN subscriptions, you will be asked to choose the service you want to use by default. Select the service (7) and click on “Continue” (8).

   This will happen only once. You can change the default service anytime from the app Settings.

   

Connect to VPN

To connect to VPN, make sure the “VPN” tab (9) is selected.

Select the VPN server location (10) you want to connect to then tap on “Connect” button (11).

“Sort by speed” feature (12) will allow you to find the fastest servers for you. After pressing this button, the servers will be sorted by the lowest ping to your computer.

You might be asked if you trust the application. Tap on “OK”.

In several seconds the app does its job and VPN connection on your Android device will be created and you’ll see the “You are connected” message below the button – this means your connection is now active. To disconnect just tap on “Disconnect” button).

Connect to Smart DNS

To connect to Smart DNS, make sure the “Smart DNS” tab (13) is selected.

Click the “Enable Smart DNS” button (14).

You will get a notification that our app is trying to create a VPN connection. Don’t worry! It will be a simulated VPN connection where both VPN server and client are your mobile device. We use it so you could have Smart DNS access regardless if you are connected to Wi-Fi or using mobile data. Tap “OK”.

Then tap “OK” again.

Settings

You can configure how the app works. To do that tap on menu icon (15).

Tap on “Settings” (16).

CactusVPN Account

Default Service – You will see this option only if you have more than one active CactusVPN subscriptions. Here you can choose the service you want to use by default.

VPN

Reconnect if connection dropped – automatically reconnect if connection is dropped.

OpenVPN protocol – choose the OpenVPN protocol you want to use: TCP or UDP.

OpenVPN port – choose the OpenVPN port you want to use.

Smart DNS

Websites region – choose the region that will be used for multi-regional websites.

DNS Server – choose the one that is closest to you.

Update IP address every – set up how often your IP will be automatically updated. That’s useful when you ISP often changes your IP address.

General

Connect VPN on sign in – automatically connect to VPN using the last used city and protocol after signing in.

Enable Smart DNS on sign in – automatically enable Smart DNS after signing in.

Hide app on VPN / Smart DNS conn. – hide the CactusVPN app after connecting to VPN or enabling Smart DNS.