Surfshark’s new app brings “basic VPN capabilities” to Amazon Fire TV devices running the new Linux-based Vega operating system.
Antuan Goodwin Senior Editor, Electrified Cars
Antuan started in the auto industry the old-fashioned way, turning wrenches in a driveway and collecting speeding tickets. He now has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience behind the wheel of hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen and traditional combustion vehicles. For each car he tests, Antuan drives more than 200 miles and evaluates the driving dynamics; acceleration and braking performance; range; and efficiency. Antuan’s goal is to use his extensive automotive knowledge to educate CNET readers and help them with their next automotive purchasing decision. Whether you’re curious about electric vehicles, passionate about electric vehicles, or loyal to combustion cars, Antuan will bring you the unbiased advice, reviews, best lists and news you need. You can reach Antuan at antuan.goodwin@cnet.com
Skill Nearly two decades of testing, driving, reporting, writing, reviewing and editing content about electric and ICE cars. The category focuses on Electrified Cars, EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, ICE Cars, EV Infrastructure, EV Chargers, EV Adapters, EV News, Automotive Credentials
- North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Surfshark has released a native application for Vega OS, bringing its virtual private network service to the latest generation of Amazon Fire TV devices powered by the company’s new Linux platform. The update restores features lost when Amazon discontinued its Android-based Fire operating system in late 2025.
When Vega operating system replaced Fire OS as Amazon’s underlying software for Fire TV streaming hardware In October, support for Android apps was discontinued, meaning existing apps were not retained. This created a gap for those who relied on VPNs for streaming and forced developers to rebuild apps for the new environment. Surfshark’s new app fills this gap by offering what the company describes as “basic VPN capabilities” on Vega OS devices.
The practical benefits remain the same: a VPN encrypts internet and streaming activity, hides IP addresses, and can help avoid ISP throttling when using high bandwidth. This technology is also commonly used to access region-specific libraries on services such as Netflix And HBO Max — a use case that had effectively been sidelined on newer Fire TV devices until this new wave of native apps started arriving. Surfshark notes that its Vega OS app currently focuses on core functionality and supports the WireGuard protocol. Wider support is expected to come later, as the app and platform mature.
For now, it’s less about new features and more about restoring parity for people upgrading to newer Fire TV hardware. Surfshark joins other suppliersincluding NordVPN And IPVanishin the creation of dedicated applications for Amazon’s Vega OS ecosystem. As more developers follow suit, Vega OS becomes closer to the app ecosystem it replaces.
For more context, see CNET’s coverage on Surfshark VPNour overview of best VPN services and our guide to best VPNs for Fire TV Stick.
VPN Review – Our Top Picks
VPN Review – Other Services
Senior Editor, Electrified Cars
Antuan started in the auto industry the old-fashioned way, turning wrenches in a driveway and collecting speeding tickets. He now has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience behind the wheel of hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen and traditional combustion vehicles. For each car he tests, Antuan drives more than 200 miles and evaluates the driving dynamics; acceleration and braking performance; range; and efficiency. Antuan’s goal is to use his extensive automotive knowledge to educate CNET readers and help them with their next automotive purchasing decision. Whether you’re curious about electric vehicles, passionate about electric vehicles, or loyal to combustion cars, Antuan will bring you the unbiased advice, reviews, best lists and news you need. You can reach Antuan at antuan.goodwin@cnet.com See full bio