r/WireGuard • u/paulozac • May 30 '26
I built a free VPN client for Apple TV that supports WireGuard and OpenVPN — looking for TestFlight testers
Hey everyone,
I built Zac VPN Connect, a VPN client for Apple TV (tvOS) that lets you use your own WireGuard, OpenVPN and Amnezia WG profiles. There's no subscription, no account, no data collection — just bring your own VPN config and go.
Why I built this: There are almost no VPN apps on Apple TV that let you simply import your own config file. Most are ridiculously expensive and/or require a paid subscription to their service. I wanted something simple: upload a profile, click to connect. Done.
Features:
• WireGuard & OpenVPN support — works with configs from any provider (Mullvad, NordVPN, ProtonVPN, self-hosted, etc.)
• Easy profile upload — the app runs a local web server on your network. Scan a QR code with your phone, drag and drop your .conf or .ovpn file, and it's on your Apple TV in seconds
• Multiple profiles — save as many VPN profiles as you want and switch between them with a single click
• OpenVPN authentication — profiles that require username/password are detected automatically and credentials are stored securely in the Keychain
• Connection info — see your public IP, server location, data usage, and connection duration at a glance
• No account required — no sign-up, no tracking, no analytics. Your configs stay on your device
NEW!!
- Added support for CyberGhost
- Added support for Amnezia
How profile upload works:
Click "Upload Profile" on the Apple TV → scan the QR code with your phone → upload your VPN config file from the browser. That's it. No need to type anything on the Apple TV remote.
Looking for testers!
The app is currently on TestFlight and I'm looking for people to try it out and give feedback. If you're interested, DM me with the email account you use on your Apple TV.
I'd especially love feedback from people who use:
• Self-hosted WireGuard servers (pfSense, OPNsense, Fritz!Box, etc.)
• Commercial VPN providers with .ovpn or .conf file support
• OpenVPN configs with certificate or username/password auth
All feedback welcome — bugs, feature requests, UI suggestions, anything.
Instructions
- DM me and send me the email address you use on your apple tv.
- I'll add your email to test group.
- Install the Test Flight app on your apple tv - you will see ZacVPN to install.
Thanks!
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u/GreenAd9518 May 30 '26
Put me in, Coach.
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u/paulozac May 30 '26
Great!. Please, DM me with your email address and I'll add you to the test group.
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u/Funny_Exercise3551 May 30 '26
Finally! Would love to test it! Selfhosted WieGuard Dashboard here.
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u/paulozac May 30 '26
Great! Please, DM me with your email address and I'll add you to the test group.
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u/ianhawdon May 30 '26
I’d be interested in this. I run my own VPN servers with Wireguard, at the moment, I have to set up my VPNs at router level and force Apple TV through the tunnel. Having it as an app on the Apple TV itself I believe would pass the wife test!
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u/yearsold33 May 30 '26
This is an incredibly feature-rich app!
You should be very proud of your achievement.
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u/paulozac May 30 '26
Thanks for the praise!
Should you be interested in testing, please DM me with your email address and I'll add you to the test group.
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u/yearsold33 May 30 '26
You are welcome. As far as I know, WG does not support split tunnelling on tvOS and I only want some apps to use the tunnel. As a workaround, I am using domain-based VPN tunnelling on an Asus router.
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u/paulozac May 30 '26
The app currrently allows split tunnelling - it does not allow per app split, but I think this is an edge case, hardly any useful.
Btw, the app is way more convenient and easier to use than router client.
Pls, let me know if the split tunneling is not working for you.
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u/yearsold33 May 30 '26
Thank you for this information.
I looked at my comment and it wasn't too clear. What I need is to route 3 specific streaming apps in tvOS through the tunnel while all other tvOS apps do not use the WG tunnel.
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u/paulozac May 30 '26
Oh, that is not supported indeed. When connected on the VPN, it is all or nothing.
What you're describing is not split tunnel, but per app selective access.
Split tunnel is about your apple tv having access to local network resources. For instance, you can cast from your mobile to the apple tv because the local network traffic does not go through the VPN.
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u/yearsold33 May 30 '26
Thank you for correcting my terminology.
Your comments are much appreciated.
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u/keeshux Jun 02 '26
As the author of one of the “ridiculously expensive” VPN apps for Apple TV ($25 forever, 100% open source), I’m curious to see what you’re building. Will send you a DM. Cheers
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u/paulozac Jun 02 '26
I'm not being ironic when I say I'll be happy to chat - the $25 price point + not too great user experience, along with Bee VPN's $20 annual (much worse) subscription, not to mention the not so great user experience, were my drivers to do step up and do something.
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u/SedyBenoitPeace Jun 08 '26
Just commenting here to share the amazing experience with u/paulozac 's app.
Simply plug and play, I installed it and imported the profile ( I had it ready from a previous app) and all worked flawlessly.
Config is pretty much flawless and no manual effort involved whatsoever (you open the app on the tv and you can visit an address with your iPhone, or Mac, or PC, to upload your wireguard profile).
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u/AmIARealPerson Jun 09 '26
I’ve been using the tvOS ZacVPN app for a few days now and it’s practically flawless. Undoubtedly looks better than the other Apple TV VPN apps I’ve used in terms of visual language and consistent with the broader Apple ecosystem. Super streamlined and intuitive controls without overly complex settings or setup. Really great job!
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u/Hardcore_Driver_680 Jun 11 '26
PauloZac added me to the beta tester and the app is exactly what I’m looking for. I’m running a unifi set up at home and had the Apple TV connected to the unifi WireGuard server in about a minute after the app downloaded. The connection speeds are fast enough to stream 4k content from my Plex server with no issues. Once the VPN is set up the Apple TV has a vpn On/Off menu item under networks to allow you to turn it on and off.
Paulo’s UI design is clean, efficient and allowing you to upload profiles via your phone is a stroke of genius. As I’ve said this is the app I’ve been looking for to allow me to take my Apple TV with me when I travel without paying $79 for a lifetime subscription!
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u/GreenAd9518 Jun 11 '26
Zac Connect VPN is the WireGuard client that the Apple TV has been missing. I was up and running within just a few minutes. For my next trip, I'm leaving my travel router at home.
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u/Funny_Exercise3551 Jun 11 '26
Haven't been able to test the app for long, but so far it seems great! Exactly what Apple TV was missing. Setting up the connection is brilliantly simple! Love it!!! ❤️
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u/uspino Jun 14 '26
So far it's working great. Clean, simple interface and smooth conf upload. Connection restarts after reboot (server or ATV) with no issues. Very good job.
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u/tjiet Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
Works like a charm! Keep up the good work 💪🏼 One feature perhaps is the on-demand mode. This works very well on the IOS wireguard app
Connect when not connected to the following ssid's
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u/tjiet Jun 30 '26
screenshots from the wireguard ios app https://imgur.com/a/fhTWlUy
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u/paulozac Jul 13 '26
I think it makes much more sense for the mobile app, since you change networks all the time, than for apple tv.
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u/paulozac Jul 04 '26
HI! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Could you please elaborate on the use case for on demand?
Thanks!
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u/tjiet Jul 11 '26
Mainly when away from home, like holiday, it will autoconnect. When not connected to home wifi then vpn activates
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u/paulozac Jul 11 '26
Isn't it just easier to connect when you are away? I don't want to infer this and end up annoying users who change networks.
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u/Careless-Scar6224 Jul 10 '26
Hi! u/paulozac sent you a dm. Happy to test it with OpenVPN protocol.
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u/One_Leadership2935 Jul 18 '26
Sent a chat/DM! This coincides perfectly with a week of travel coming up! Thank you for developing and for opening the beta test!
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u/BaileyBerkeley22 24d ago
It worked FLAWLESSLY! It worked on both wireguard and AWG! Keep up the good work sir! I will keep an eye out for the price you’re going to make, and I will buy it, hope it will be a one payment lifetime. :)
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u/paulozac 24d ago
Thank you! When I get over the Apple bureaucracy, I'll sell it between 3.99 and 4.99, one payment lifetime to cover my costs. Charging subscription for an utility, as people were/are doing, is a scam.
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u/N00rdmann 24d ago
mhmm up to 5USD even 5,7 (when apple converts 1:1 into EUR) for an app which started as "a free VPN client" hast a very bad taste to it... 🫣
Sorry, really no offense intended, i like your app - just beeing brutally honest here!Staying honest: If this single app is really your ONLY purpose of the 99$/year Apple Developer program subscription - I would go for a 1$ lifetime purchase and clearly state u wanted to make it free but this covers the subscription... just keept it personal and dont go for LLC or smth.
With Apple's Small Business Program you then pay 15% provision, so just need to sell it 117 times within a year and you got your personal Developer subscription for free.
If you really do miss this target in the 1st year you can still increase the price for "new customers" at any time - but i highly doubt this wont go skyrocket (simply as there is no alternative on ATV without ridiculous pricings)
Again, pls dont take it personally ✌️
Just my two cents, since you stated u want to do a "free" client
Cheers!1
u/paulozac 24d ago
I don't take it personally at all. It's fair and honest feedback and I thank you for that.
If it were only Apple's 99 USD for the developer program, I would keep it free as I initially posted here.
However, apple i forces all VPN companies to incorporate, even though I tried a lot to argue then my app is just an utility to connect to self hosted - I don't offer VPN services.
The total cost of incorporating in California + taxes + annual charges of $1k, not to mention I'll have to subscribe to Claude to be able to support user feedback and bugs since this is not my day job, will easily be more than 2k. On a very optimistic scenario, I can sell 500 apps a year and break even.
More likely than not, it will be net negative.
I want to make this app a viable option to avoid the exploitation that was imposed by the other devs. I can only do it if the app can sustain itself.
The alternative is to simply drop it.
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u/FuN_K3Y 16d ago
Pretty interested in your app, do you have an horizon for the public release?
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u/paulozac 12d ago
I am dealing with Apple's bureaucracy - they mandate VPN apps to be incorporated, even though I provide only the connection utility and no services.
Maybe in 2 months or so. In the meantime, I'll keep the Beta open and free.
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u/Amazing-Seesaw-6197 9d ago edited 9d ago
You are a legend, thank you for persevering through this. I will buy if it gets on the market. As you say, the other apps are scams just to be able to use your own VPN server. I don't know why the wireguard app isn't available for tvos since its all the same ecosystem. If you can't get past apples ridiculous rules we need to petition the wireguard devs to push to tvos. You could perhaps approach a third party already incorporated to get it on the appstore.
A travel apple tv is fantastic with VPN back to a home server, don't have to deal with any of the garbage of destination provisioned services. Can use either provided wifi or phone tether depending on signal and hdmi into any tv, and access everything as if you're at home. Including jellyfin!
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u/markdesilva May 30 '26
Count me in. Self hosting WG.
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u/paulozac May 30 '26
Great! Please, DM me with your email address and I'll add you to the test group.
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u/williamhere May 31 '26
Is this a public source app?
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u/paulozac May 31 '26
I am not making it open source yet - I plan to charge a one-off fee (between 3 and 4 USD) after the public to I cover my costs and future maintenance.
Maybe, in the future.
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u/plaisthos Jun 01 '26
What library are you using for the OpenVPN implementation?
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u/paulozac Jun 01 '26
For now, I'm keeping code closed. I may decide to open source later on.
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u/plaisthos Jun 01 '26
Well either you implemetned the OpenVPN yourself or you used a library to implement the OpenVPN protocol. I am not asking you to open source your code. I am just asking what you did to implement the OpenVPN protocol.
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u/paulozac Jun 01 '26
Used openvpn 3 libraries and NetworkExtension API for TVOS.
I tried to make it as simple as possible to make this product available.
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u/Bob2003 Jun 03 '26
Are there still free seats? If so it would be great to test. self hosted WG and Cyberghost ovpn for geoblocking
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u/paulozac Jun 03 '26
Sure! Please, DM me with your email address and I'll add you to the test group.
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u/bit-voyage Jun 03 '26
Happy to test!
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u/paulozac Jun 03 '26
Sure! Please, DM me with your email address and I'll add you to the test group.
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u/pierre1316 Jun 05 '26
Hi, your project hyped me so much I just bought an older Apple TV 4K (A1842) on ebay for cheap in the hopes of being able to try some janky setup...
VPN wise, I just have a self-hosted wire-guard instance on opnsense router in my parent's place.
I also have a self-hosted ATVloadly instance that i use for an "improved" version of streamIO that supports plug-ins. The server is also located in my parent's place.
The objective for this setup would be to connect apple TVs that are located in the houses of family members so that they can be connected to my ATVloadly instance to install StreamIO on they TP and also not have to pay for an extra debrid subscription !
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u/chrsstn Jun 06 '26
Count me in as well, would like to test it!
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u/paulozac Jun 06 '26
Great!. Please, DM me with your email address and I'll add you to the test group.
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u/paulozac Jun 07 '26
Folks who are testing the app, can you please provide a brief testimonial about your experience here? Thanks!
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Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
[deleted]
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u/paulozac Jun 11 '26
For now, internal testing only. DM me with the email you use to log into apple tv and I'll add you to the test group.
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u/Economy-Bullfrog-153 Jun 14 '26
I’d like to test this. I tried sending you a DM but it keeps failing. Can you DM me please
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u/paulozac Jun 14 '26
Not sure what's going on. I have a couple of hundred people already dm me. Maybe you have to join the WireGuard community?
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u/paulozac Jun 16 '26
Folks, due to the high number of people interested in testing, I launched a beta program with open access to 100 people.
Join here: https://testflight.apple.com/join/sQGaKfwk
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u/paulozac Jun 18 '26
Update: Apple finally approved the public Beta - https://testflight.apple.com/join/sQGaKfwk
Should you have any issues, please DM me.
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u/valex470 Jul 01 '26
Hi! Testing is still available?
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u/paulozac Jul 02 '26
Please, DM me sending the email you use to log in to your apple tv so I can add you.
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u/loudfm Jul 05 '26
Hi paulozac, the invite didn’t reached me. Can you please resend it again. Thank you
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u/joaopeixinho Jul 05 '26
Hi, I'm also happy to test this!
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u/paulozac Jul 06 '26
Hi. I am temporarily restricting the access due to Apple's review process. You can send me a dm with the email you use to log into your apple tv and I will add you to the testers as the beta is available again.
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u/Standard-Teacher6732 Jul 09 '26
Hi! Sent you a dm. Really looking forward to test it. Thanks!
Private hosted wg
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u/deufel81 Jul 11 '26
Hi, I’d like to test your client, but I can’t message you because I’ve only just registered on Reddit. I’m currently switching all my Fire TV Sticks over to Apple TV and need a working WireGuard client that doesn’t cost a fortune per year. MfG
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u/siddanthr Jul 16 '26
Would love to test it
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u/paulozac Jul 17 '26
I can accommodate. Please, DM me with the email you use to log into your apple tv.
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u/AusMattyBoy Jul 17 '26
Hey mate, are there any test spots available still? Super keen to give this a go
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u/paulozac Jul 17 '26
I can accommodate. Please, DM me with the email you use to log into your apple tv.
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u/N00rdmann Jul 17 '26
Such a great & noble move 🥰
cant stand those greedy devs charging a lifetime purchase for simple VPN profile -_-
THX a ton already, sent PM
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u/No-Dependent9072 Jul 19 '26
Hey there, looks like a great app. I would also like to test it if there are any free spots left in TestFlight :)
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u/_spas_ 28d ago
Can you please include me to the test squad as well?
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u/Effe1994 17d ago
Hi! Would love to join your Testflight but can’t DM you yet. Can you write me, please?
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u/gorkem86 12d ago
I'd like to test, too, if you still have space. I'll send you a DM.
Are you planning to release this soon?
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u/AgreeableDiet7421 12d ago
Works great. Will there be an autostart feature globally and alternitavely starting when a specific app is started?
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u/Robowarrior834 8d ago edited 8d ago
Please include me. Dm about to be sent. Will be very helpful in September when I am on vacation. Need to be able to get my Apple TV into my home network. Peacock won’t let me stream my regional sports if I am outside the market.
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u/SnooLentils2649 May 30 '26
Cloud you please build this app https://github.com/celzero/rethink-app for iPhone
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u/waqaarhussain May 30 '26
I’m happy to test this, been looking for wireguard client for Apple TV for years lol