Hide.me VPN rolls out redesigned Android apps with SmartGuard for Android TV

Hide.me VPN has released a significant update for its Android mobile and Android TV applications, introducing a redesigned dashboard, the SmartGuard feature for Android TV, and performance improvements for WireGuard and SSTP protocols. The update aims to improve usability, security, and server selection for users.

Tarun Mottlia

Editor, Lazyfounder

Published Oct 22, 20263 min read

Hide.me VPN rolls out redesigned Android apps with SmartGuard for Android TV — Image: Future) via source

30 SEC SUMMARY

Hide.me VPN launches a major update for Android mobile and Android TV apps.
SmartGuard feature, previously available on mobile, now blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites on Android TV.
Stability improvements for WireGuard and SSTP protocols, including MTU optimization and IPv6 support.
Redesigned dashboard includes new speed indicators for faster server selection.
Update adds Korean language support and reinforces the free tier for testing encryption and no-logs policy.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Hide.me VPN’s Android and Android TV apps receive a redesigned dashboard for improved usability.
SmartGuard feature is now available on Android TV, blocking ads, trackers, and malicious websites.
WireGuard protocol benefits from stability enhancements and MTU optimization.
SSTP protocol now supports hostname and IPv6 global address compatibility.
New speed indicators help users identify the fastest servers at a glance.
Update adds Korean language support and maintains a free tier for testing the service.

Redesigned dashboard and SmartGuard for Android TV

Hide.me VPN has launched a redesigned dashboard for its Android mobile and Android TV applications, according to TechRadar. The update introduces SmartGuard, a feature previously available on mobile, to Android TV. SmartGuard blocks intrusive ads, trackers, and malicious websites, addressing concerns about targeted advertising and privacy on smart TVs and streaming devices.

The feature is described as a comprehensive online security tool, now extending the same level of protection to Android TV users that mobile users have had access to. This aligns with growing scrutiny over data collection practices on connected devices, particularly in regions with strict privacy regulations.

Protocol improvements and new features

The update includes stability enhancements for the WireGuard protocol, specifically MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) optimization, which aims to improve connection reliability. Hide.me has also upgraded its SSTP protocol support to include hostname and IPv6 global address compatibility, broadening its compatibility with modern networks.

New speed indicators on the dashboard allow users to identify the fastest servers more easily, a feature designed to improve the user experience for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming. The update also adds Korean language support to the app, expanding its accessibility.

Free tier remains available

Hide.me continues to offer a free tier, allowing users to test its no-logs policy and encryption without providing credit card details. This remains a key differentiator for users evaluating VPN services, particularly in markets where privacy tools are in high demand but cost is a barrier.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

This update positions Hide.me VPN as one of the few providers actively bridging the gap between mobile and TV-based privacy tools. For founders and operators in the cybersecurity space, the move highlights two key trends: the rising demand for ad-blocking and tracker prevention on smart TVs, and the need for VPNs to optimize protocols for reliability and speed. Competitors may need to evaluate whether their own Android TV offerings meet similar standards, especially as privacy concerns on connected devices gain traction.

Key takeaways

Android TV users now have access to the same ad-blocking and privacy tools previously limited to mobile, addressing a gap in smart TV security.
Protocol optimizations for WireGuard and SSTP signal a focus on performance, which VPN providers must prioritize to retain users in a competitive market.
The redesigned dashboard and speed indicators reflect a broader trend of simplifying server selection, a feature that could influence user retention for VPN operators.

Sources

TechRadar · 2026-10-22
Hide.me VPN's latest Android update brings a new dashboard and SmartGuard for Android TV - here's what you need to know

This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.

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