People who have ExpressVPN on their router love that they can enjoy the benefits of a VPN on unlimited devices, including smart TVs and game consoles—whatever is connected to their VPN router.
But there are times when you don’t want your entire home network to connect to the selected VPN location. For instance, you might want your smart TV connected to the U.S. while your laptop connects to Australia.
That’s why we’ve developed Device Groups, a feature that allows users to connect different groups of devices to different locations on their VPN router.
How do Device Groups work?
VPN routers typically route all devices through the same VPN location.
With our new feature, you can create groups—up to five of them—for your devices, with each group connected to a specific VPN location. Then sort your devices into different groups. Just tap or drag and drop in the easy-to-use interface.
Want your smart TVs set to a U.S. location? Group them together and connect to San Francisco. Need to do mobile banking for an account in France? Put your phone in the Paris group. Want your laptop searches to show local results? Connect it to a server near your physical location. All while protected by ExpressVPN’s best-in-class encryption.
For each group, you may also choose:
- Smart Location, which selects the best location for you based on network conditions
- No VPN, for when you want a device connected to the router but not using VPN
- MediaStreamer, our DNS service that enhances streaming but does not provide VPN protection
We’ve designed Device Groups to give users maximum flexibility while also providing a smooth experience: Switching locations for a device or a group does not interrupt other connections on the VPN router.
Whether it’s giving you peace of mind or keeping the peace at home, we’ve got you covered.
How to use Device Groups
Device Groups are available on the ExpressVPN router firmware, Version 3.2.0 or above. Upgrade here.
- On your computer or mobile device, ensure that you’re connected to the VPN router, and log in at expressvpnrouter.com
- Add new groups and name them (like “Streaming,” “Work,” or “Family”)
- Select a VPN location for each group
- Drag your connected devices into the groups
Don’t have ExpressVPN on your router yet? Get set up! It’s all included in an ExpressVPN subscription. An ExpressVPN connection on your router counts as one of eight devices you can have connected simultaneously, while you may connect an unlimited number of devices to the VPN router.
Learn more about ExpressVPN for routers, and find out if your router is compatible.
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Comments
My company requires me to WFH in my home state of Massachusetts. Can I buy your router, the mobile one, and be in another state or country and still make it look like I am in Massachusetts to my company?
It depends on what the company uses to determine your location, if they check. ExpressVPN can change your IP address, which gives an indication of your location. But ExpressVPN does not currently offer a VPN server location in Massachusetts, so it won’t be possible to use the service to appear to be in Massachusetts specifically based on IP address. Plus, they might use other methods to determine your location, if it is important that you are working in a certain state.
I was disappointed that you don’t inform users that an “updated” router has a serious downside. My router is an Asus RT-AX68U and is rich with user configuration features. The ExpressVPN router firmware that replaced my native firmware has a simplistic UI with very limited configuration features. To restore the functions, I had to perform a factory reset. Your instructions to overwrite the factory firmware are fine, but a user like me that wants to get the original UI back are in for a very big and unwelcome surprise. Your page offers all the advantages of new firmware without mentioning a major disadvantage. Please put in a warning for your new customers.
Thanks for the feedback. We’ll work on adding this info.
How about upgrading the UK servers, its forever swapping to Netherlands (amongst other places) and yet its masked in the VPN App so I think I’m connected to a UK IP but in reality im NOT! this is causing many issues. Your support was hopeless when i approached you. The whole issue was cleverly avoided!!!. I have tested this and have screen shots to prove it for when I leave a few reviews after my subscription runs out and I go elsewhere.
Device groups are NOT ISOLATED so devices still speak to each other even when placed in different groups/vpn locations.
For privacy needs, This would be beneficial especially when you want to isolate guest users or smart devices apart from your personal devices.
This is a feature you NEED to implement ASAP, to complement the Device groups feature.
tengo problemas para entender todo lo que hay que hacer
Any chance of using different VPN tunnels based on destination rather than source (device groups)?
Yes!!! This would be way more useful than this new feature. When I’m browsing, I mostly want to do so locally, but I use my VPN to get around restrictions from various sites. Reddit is banned in Indonesia. My Netflix account on works in Europe. My US bank only lets me login from US.
So, I have to constantly disconnect and reconnect to different locations. A destination based routing would be amazing!
I just want my express VPN to Stay Connected – I’m 73 yoa and know Nothing about tech
Whenever I use Chrome or any Google search engine, I have to turn off my VPN because the search always does not go thru. It says “Oops, something went wrong” and as soon as I turn the VPN off, and click on my search item, it goes right to what I was looking for. Lately, I can’t place orders on such sites as QVC, HSN and others as it will not let me access my account. Is this normal?
Please try chatting with our Support team. There might be certain settings that can help.
AWESOME service, one subscription allows you to assign one (of five) devices to a wireless and wired router in the home which can service many devices (computers, tablet, notebook, iPad, cell phone, smart TV, Nintendo, and more) and allow you to assign the other four to devices that may be used outside of the home (cell phone, tablet, etc). PROTECTION in and out of the house. WORKS GREAT. And Netflix is unrestricted.
Well, here’s another thought.
As nice as a VPN router sounds, many people do not have or will not purchase these models. For those that don’t have these routers or have enterprise-grade routers, perhaps, something useful for the ExpressVPN clients:
1. Expand the number of devices on which ExpressVPN can be installed.
2. Location hopping (the ability to configure the VPN to “change” locations at a user specified interval on the client … using specified servers or a *user-defined list of servers*)
That’s just for starters… How about a fix for the internet connection state lock on Android mobile where connection type has changed (wifi to mobile data/vice versa) and Windows desktop OS (same).
my office has its own VPN and I would like to use ExpressVPN as soon as I disconnect from my official VPN. Can this be done?
Hi, there might be exceptions depending on your situation, but it’s most likely that you have to press the “On” button every time you leave your work Wi-Fi to get on ExpressVPN.
I use my hot spot on my phone for internet . Can your expressvpn be set up for my phone. I do not have a router. Is there an additional cost for the vpn if set up on my phone?
Yes, you can use the ExpressVPN app on your phones, computers, and tablets. Download it here: https://www.expressvpn.com/latest
I have U-verse router. Is it compatible with Express VPN?
Sorry, this is not one of the compatible routers. For the full list, go here: https://www.expressvpn.com/vpn-software/vpn-router
im trying to find some software that i can use to hide my ip address or something that i can do to change my ip address when im filling out appications on the interenet i dont want them to see that it has come from the same ip address as mine. Is that possible?
That would be a VPN. Find out more: https://www.expressvpn.com/what-is-my-ip/hide-my-ip
I have Netgear R7800 router.It’s compatible with ExpressVPN?
Sorry, that is not one of the compatible routers. The full list can be found here: https://www.expressvpn.com/vpn-software/vpn-router
I think it’s a great service with very clear explanation on your website of how your VPN works, however I am concerned about and little knowledge on the matter of Express VPN also providing malware protection to the devices we use it. Just for example yesterday I downloaded an app that seemed to and did take over most of my stuff in my computer, mate of mine reckoned I should do a factory reset of my pc which I did but couldn’t get rid of a bug in it a technician thought and I was wondering if you could expand on that. Thank you, Cheers
Hello. VPNs do not help much with preventing a user from downloading malware or mitigating the effects of malware. A factory reset would make the most sense.
A VPN keeps your internet connection secure and private to prevent third parties from seeing what you’re doing online and potentially stealing your information.
Some info on protecting yourself from malware: https://www.expressvpn.com/blog/what-is-malware/
I have eero mesh network routers (one for my gateway, one for a repeater). Can I install ExpressVPN on them? Do I install it on the gateway only or both?
Thanks, Dan
Hi, no, this is not one of the routers that is compatible with ExpressVPN. You can see the full list of compatible routers here: https://www.expressvpn.com/support/vpn-setup/#router-setup
(Look under App for Routers and Manual Router Configurations.)
Does my subscription allow more than 1 phone on my account
Yes! With one subscription, you can download ExpressVPN on as many devices as you want and connect to the VPN on five at a time. That can be five phones, if you want.
Also, if you use ExpressVPN on router, that counts as one device but the VPN will work on every device on your Wi-Fi network.
Your UK VPN gets recognized by sky sort news site and am unable to watch their video’s. Getting the basic acces right is of greater importance to me
Hi, please contact our Support team via live chat or email for solutions.
I love it