Vega OS VPN support: NordVPN and IPVanish prepare apps for Amazon's new Fire TV platform

Amazon's new Linux-based Vega OS is the biggest change to Fire TV in a decade. While VPN apps are not yet fully functional on Vega OS devices, heavyweights like NordVPN and IPVanish have already built dedicated Vega OS apps and are ready to launch as soon as Amazon enables VPN protocol support through a software update.

For privacy-conscious streamers, the stakes are high. Fire TV devices have long been one of the easiest ways to use a VPN on a big screen, both to protect traffic from ISPs and to access streaming catalogues while travelling. With Vega OS, Amazon is shifting from Android-based Fire OS to a Linux foundation it fully controls. That gives Amazon more power over performance and security – and it also means VPN providers have to rebuild their apps from the ground up.

TL;DR – Which VPNs are ready for Vega OS?

• NordVPN has developed a Linux-based Vega OS app for the latest Fire TV devices. The app is built and ready to go, but it needs Amazon to enable VPN protocols on Vega OS before it can establish encrypted tunnels.
• IPVanish has completed a brand-new Vega OS app powered by the WireGuard® protocol and is committed to being available on the first day Vega OS supports VPNs.
• As of mid-November 2025, Vega OS does not yet expose VPN protocols to apps. Even if you install a VPN app from the Amazon Appstore on a Vega OS device, it cannot create a working VPN connection until Amazon ships the promised update.
• The current bottleneck is Vega OS itself, not NordVPN or IPVanish. Both providers have done the groundwork and are effectively waiting for Amazon to flip the software switch.
• Once VPN support is enabled, users should be able to install NordVPN or IPVanish directly from the Amazon Appstore on Vega OS devices like the Fire TV Stick 4K Select and route all streaming traffic through an encrypted tunnel.

What is Vega OS and why is it different from Fire OS?

Vega OS is Amazon's new Linux-based operating system for Fire TV devices. Older sticks and Fire TV boxes run Fire OS, which is a customised fork of Android. That Android heritage made it straightforward for VPN providers to ship Fire TV apps: they could reuse most of their Android TV code, adjust the user interface for the remote, and publish via the Amazon Appstore.

With Vega OS, Amazon has moved away from Android entirely. Apps must be rebuilt specifically for Vega OS, and the operating system is significantly more locked down:

• Vega OS is based on Linux, not Android, so APK-style sideloading is not part of the normal user experience.
• All consumer apps are distributed and controlled through the Amazon Appstore.
• Amazon controls the available APIs, including whether third-party apps can create and manage VPN tunnels at all.

For VPN providers, this means they cannot simply tweak their Android TV APKs. They need native Vega OS clients that integrate with the Linux networking stack, respect Vega's app sandboxing model, and use whatever VPN APIs Amazon exposes. NordVPN and IPVanish have already done this work – which is why their apps are ready well before Vega OS actually allows VPN connections.

Why VPN support on Vega OS matters for Fire TV users

On Fire TV, VPNs are much more than a niche hacker tool. For a large number of users, a VPN is now part of the basic privacy stack:

• Network-level privacy: A VPN encrypts all outbound traffic from the Fire TV device, preventing ISPs and intermediate networks from inspecting which apps and services you use.
• Account and profile protection: By masking your real IP address behind a VPN exit node, you reduce the amount of behavioural data that can be tied directly to your household network.
• Travelling and roaming use cases: When you are abroad, a VPN can help you access streaming subscriptions that are normally bound to your home region, subject to each provider's terms of service.
• Protection on untrusted networks: If your Fire TV is connected via a hotel, landlord or shared network, a VPN tunnel significantly limits how much that upstream network can see.

Fire TV has historically been one of the most VPN-friendly TV platforms because of its Android roots and the presence of dedicated VPN apps in the Appstore. Vega OS changes the underlying technology, but not the fundamental demand. The question is not whether Fire TV users want VPNs – they clearly do – but how quickly Amazon will expose VPN support on Vega OS and how far that support will go.

NordVPN on Vega OS: Linux experience meets Fire TV

NordVPN is one of the first major VPN providers to publicise a dedicated Vega OS app for Amazon's new Fire TV generation. The company already has extensive experience with Linux clients, router configurations and appliance-style deployments, so building against a Linux-based TV OS is a natural evolution.

On Vega OS, NordVPN's app is expected to centre around NordLynx, the provider's WireGuard-based protocol. NordLynx is engineered to offer fast connection times and strong privacy by combining WireGuard's lean codebase with an additional privacy layer that decouples user identity from IP address assignment on the server side.

Once Amazon enables VPN protocols, you should be able to:

• Install the NordVPN app directly from the Amazon Appstore on supported Vega OS devices.
• Log in with your existing account using a remote-friendly interface.
• Use Quick Connect to automatically pick the best server for streaming and general privacy.
• Route all Fire TV traffic through NordVPN's encrypted tunnel, including traffic from major streaming apps.

If you want to learn more about NordVPN's broader feature set and pricing, you can visit the official site at nordvpn.com.

IPVanish on Vega OS: WireGuard and global coverage

IPVanish has also confirmed that its Vega OS app is completed and ready to be published as soon as Amazon enables VPN support. The company is emphasising a few core points for Fire TV users:

• The Vega OS client is built specifically for the new Fire TV generation rather than being a recycled Android app.
• It uses the WireGuard® protocol for fast, efficient tunnelling with modern cryptography.
• Users will be able to connect to 150+ server locations worldwide, which is particularly useful for travellers and for avoiding congested routes.
• IPVanish has committed to day-one availability on Vega OS – the app will go live as soon as the OS exposes VPN support.

Importantly, IPVanish is also maintaining its existing Fire OS app for older devices, so users on Fire TV hardware that still runs the Android-based OS will continue to have a fully functional VPN experience. Vega OS adds a new platform rather than replacing those devices overnight.

You can see IPVanish's full product details, plans and features at ipvanish.com.

Why VPN apps do not yet work on Vega OS

To understand why NordVPN and IPVanish apps are effectively "waiting on Amazon", you have to look at how VPNs are implemented at the operating system level.

A working VPN client on a streaming stick needs three building blocks:

• Low-level networking access: The ability to create a virtual network interface (such as tun0 or wg0) and route device traffic through it.
• Cryptographic and protocol engine: Code to implement WireGuard, OpenVPN or another protocol, including key exchange, encryption and re-keying.
• System permission and UI: An app that is allowed by the OS to manage a system-wide tunnel and a user interface to show connection status and errors.

On Android and Fire OS, these pieces are orchestrated by mature, OS-level VPN APIs. On Vega OS, Amazon has so far shipped the system without exposing VPN capabilities to consumer apps. The result is a strange limbo:

• You may be able to install a Vega OS version of a VPN app once it is published.
• The app can present a UI and let you log in.
• But when it tries to create a real VPN tunnel, the OS currently does not allow it.

Multiple VPN providers and tech outlets report that Amazon plans to enable VPN protocols via a software update for Vega OS. When that happens, NordVPN, IPVanish and any other approved VPN apps will be able to hook into the new VPN APIs and provide the same kind of system-wide tunnelling Fire OS users are used to.

How Vega OS VPN support is likely to work after the update

Amazon has not published a detailed user-facing spec for Vega OS VPNs yet, but based on how Fire OS and other smart TV platforms handle VPNs, we can infer a few likely behaviours once the update lands:

• VPN apps such as NordVPN and IPVanish will be installed through the Amazon Appstore, with no sideloading required.
• The apps will request a system VPN permission the first time you connect, which Vega OS will represent with a confirmation dialog.
• Once authorised, the VPN client will be able to route traffic from all apps on the Fire TV device through the encrypted tunnel.
• Vega OS will likely show a status indicator or settings entry to let you see whether a VPN is active.
• Advanced options such as "auto-connect on boot" or "auto-connect on untrusted networks" may be exposed via app settings.

From a privacy engineering perspective, this model is generally positive. It reduces the risk of malicious sideloaded apps, centralises VPN permissions, and keeps the attack surface smaller. The trade-off is that only VPN providers accepted into the Amazon Appstore and integrated with Vega's VPN APIs will be available on these devices.

What you can do today while waiting for Vega OS VPN support

If you've already bought a Fire TV Stick 4K Select or another Vega OS device and rely on a VPN, you effectively have three practical options while you wait for Amazon's update.

1. Run your VPN on the router or gateway

One robust workaround is to terminate the VPN tunnel at your router or gateway instead of on the Fire TV itself. Many consumer routers support OpenVPN or WireGuard clients, and some vendors offer pre-configured VPN routers.

Pros:

• All devices on your network, including Vega OS sticks, benefit from the encrypted tunnel.
• You manage a single VPN configuration in one place.

Cons:

• You may need to replace your ISP-supplied router or put it into bridge mode.
• It is harder to selectively exclude specific apps or devices from the VPN without advanced routing rules.

2. Use a non-Vega Fire TV or another VPN-friendly streaming device

If you need working VPN support on a TV right now, the simplest path is to use hardware that already supports it. Older Fire TV devices running Fire OS, many Android TV / Google TV boxes, and some smart TV platforms still allow full-featured VPN apps today.

This is particularly relevant if you're setting up a dedicated streaming setup for travel, or you plan to watch time-sensitive events where you can't afford to wait for a future Vega OS update.

3. Stay updated and be ready to install NordVPN or IPVanish

If you're committed to Vega OS hardware, the best approach is to keep the device updated and monitor announcements from Amazon, NordVPN and IPVanish. As soon as VPN protocol support is enabled:

• Update your Fire TV device to the latest Vega OS version.
• Install NordVPN or IPVanish from the Amazon Appstore.
• Test with a streaming service and an IP checker site to confirm that traffic is going through the VPN.

Because both providers have already completed their Vega OS app work, the lag between Amazon's update and real-world usability should be short.

Security and privacy implications of Vega OS for VPN users

Vega OS represents a trade-off between control and convenience. On one hand, Amazon's tighter ecosystem and Linux base can improve performance and reduce exposure to shady sideloaded apps. On the other hand, it concentrates more power in Amazon's hands and restricts which VPN clients you can run.

From a VPN and privacy perspective, key points to keep in mind are:

• Curated VPN support: When Vega OS enables VPNs, only a small number of vetted providers will likely be available, starting with NordVPN and IPVanish.
• Reduced sideload flexibility: Power users accustomed to installing niche VPN clients or custom builds will have far fewer options on Vega OS.
• Centralised telemetry risk: As with any smart TV platform, it's important to assume the OS vendor can collect usage metrics at the device level. A VPN still protects you from your ISP and many third parties, but it does not make you invisible to the platform owner.

For most mainstream users, the combination of a well-audited VPN provider and a locked-down TV OS is still a huge improvement over running everything unencrypted on a raw ISP connection. The key is to choose a VPN with a strong track record, transparent policies and clear documentation for TV platforms.

What to watch next

At the time of writing, Amazon has not yet rolled out the Vega OS update that enables VPN protocols, but VPN vendors and tech publications consistently report that it is planned for the near future. For Fire TV users and buyers, the milestones to watch are:

• The Vega OS software update that explicitly adds VPN protocol support.
• The appearance of NordVPN and IPVanish apps in the Amazon Appstore listings for Vega OS devices.
• Any technical limitations Amazon imposes on VPN usage, such as restricted protocols or categories of apps that cannot use the VPN.
• Security audits and transparency reports from VPN providers that describe how their Vega OS implementations are built and maintained.

Vega OS is a major strategic move for Amazon, and VPN support is a critical part of whether it will be embraced by privacy-conscious Fire TV users. NordVPN and IPVanish have already done their part by building ready-to-launch Vega OS apps. The final step now sits with Amazon: enabling the VPN plumbing in Vega OS so these apps can finally do their job.

Until then, treat Vega OS devices as "VPN-ready but not VPN-capable" – and plan your streaming and privacy setup accordingly.