I also received this gem from SS customer support to give you an idea of what SS feels about Android devices. They regard all devices as 'TV-Stick" devices when I explicitly listed my NVIDIA Shield, Formuler Z11 Pro Max and, Yes a “Stick” ONN 4K…
Thank you so much for updating us, we really appreciate it.
Unfortunately, there is a big chance that such TV-stick devices simply will not have fast VPN speed because they have weaker CPUs.
The CPU is most likely functioning as intended, however, due to it being less powerful, the speed drops more than on your other devices and this is because the encryption process requires processing power.
Let us know how you would like to move forward with this or if you have any more questions. 
Thank you so much for your patience and time, have a nice day!
Troy , you may wish to take a new look at the SS review in light of the following which seems to be a growing trend.
I have recently been concerned with the slow speeds I am getting when using Surfshark VPN and decided to contact them expressing my concerns. On all my devices (Formuler Z11 Pro Max, Nvidia Shield and One 4k Stick) I am getting around 400+ Mbps Down from my Wifi or Gigabit Ethernet connections but when Using VPN those speeds are reduced to around 40-90 Mbps which is a terrible reduction. After many emails etc with Surfshark and trying all their possible solutions it is their opinion that ALL my CPU’s apparently (specifically this used by Android type devices) cannot handle the encryption to give faster speeds when using VPN? They have now sent me the following…
We can understand that having a slow connection speed can be frustrating, unfortunately, all of the possible troubleshooting steps were exhausted.
Have a delightful day, and if you have any further questions, let me know!
So please be aware that Surfshark no longer thinks Android devices entirely suitable for its product…
They was an earlier Email from SS:-
Thank you so much for updating us, we really appreciate it.
Unfortunately, there is a big chance that such TV-stick devices simply will not have fast VPN speed because they have weaker CPUs.
The CPU is most likely functioning as intended, however, due to it being less powerful, the speed drops more than on your other devices and this is because the encryption process requires processing power.
Let us know how you would like to move forward with this or if you have any more questions.
Thank you so much for your patience and time, have a nice day!
TXRon
63
True statements from surfshark and well known throughout this community. The vpn speed vs normal speed is very common and expected with vpn’s. The speed reduction you posted should not be a detriment to streaming.
You do have enough speed to stream easily and the reduction is normal Another thing about SS though and Ive posted about this before is they do not yet support IPv6 and use some algorithms to get around it that will slow you down. There is still not ETA for when they will. Come on, its pretty much standard everywhere now. You have one job to do, get it done.
I haven’t tried SS as of yet.
However, with ProtonVPN I have found that installing config files on my router’s VPN client always results in better performance than using the apps on the devices.
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I don`t have that option on my present router/modem. The only way would be to buy a router and use it in bridge mode. I don’t really need that. I don’t have performance issues or need the expense.
Absolutely agree I have seen many past posts in my years with Troypoint, however the point I am making and reiterating is the speed reduction at present is way above the normal expected 30 percent 'ish.
Surfshark specifically target the Android market so should be expected to give honest figures etc. These people even suggested that my ISP was throttling my VPN which is nonsense.
I got about the same speeds using Ipvanish. The most I’ve ever seen with either is approx 80 down on the Onn. Typical speeds for me are around the 40+ ish range. I have 500 down without it.
I understand that Wizzard.
I was happy with our sort of ancient TP-Link mesh system… except that there was not a native client on the router to incorporate either OpenVPN or Wireguard.
My motivation was that I cannot count on my wife to engage the IPVanish app on her TV even when the red square is shining brightly.
So I bought a Cudy AX3000 for $70 with the idea of using the mesh system as an access point. What I found is that the single Cudy router is a lot faster and covers the house as well as the TP-Link mesh system.
Well, you could activate the kill switch that I always have on. Auto start, reconnect. If it goes down of course nothing will show. Not sure how happy she would be with that but honestly, I have no reason to ever turn mine off.
The problem with hers is that the ONN box doesn’t always automatically engage the IPV app, and when it does, the automated ‘best’ server selection isn’t always fast enough.
For sure it’s an issue with IPV too.
But from my recent experience utilizing the router’s client with ProtonVPN, the VPN is always engaged with no diddling required, at speeds which approach or match what my ISP subscription supplies.
And honestly, it was probably time to replace the old router anyway.
When my connection surfshark is connected to a different city then mine . It’s not connect to alldebrid. Error massage can’t connect. I put it back to my city in Wala it connects I also noticed that they changed their app on the mobile site you used to be able to find where you could connect your devices now you have to go to a separate URL anybody else having this problem?
I have the same issue now a year after your post. I have been through the mill with SS to no avail. They blame Android devices for the issues even though the speeds are good without SS. They insist Android device CPU’s are not capable of handling their encryption. Unfortunately most offers of ‘advice’ just point out “oh you really don’t need all that speed anyway”, or “what you are getting is good enough for streaming anything” entirely missing the point.
AJS1
76
Looks like going to have to update it through the website. The app doesn’t show the update.
You can update on Google Playstore.
1 Like
AJS1
78
My shield Pro automatically updated it, my fire stick didnt had to do it manually. I can’t remember but I believe I did it through the toolbox.
I recently decided to try another VPN as IPVanish was slowing down both Up and Download speeds. I downloaded and installed Surfshark to some of my streaming devices and some iOS equipment. Bottom line is there is little difference between the two. Details: I have gig speed xfinity which translates to about 450-475 mbps up and 350-375 mbps down. So much for gig speed. The Onn 4K Pro runs about 375 up and 325 down when connected via 5Ghz wifi (with feet of the router). I have a gen 3 FS4Kmax upstairs and use an ethernet cable and a gig spped usb adapter which gives me 350+/- mbps. In both instances, when Surfshark is connected, I get about 115+/- up and 90+/- down. Disconnecting Surfshark changes nothing unless you do force stop on the app, then it returns to normal. Under the same conditions, IP Vanish gives me about 85+/- up and 80+/- down at both sites but when I exit, I do not have to force stop the app. Both apps have the same features as far as I can tell but IP Vanish appears to have more servers and Surfshark delivers slightly more speed. The Fire Stick and Onn 4K Pro perform the same (picture quality is slightly better on the Onn), but this is a comparison of VPNs. No one has paid me or paid for anything mentioned here. This is all my own doing and I just wanted to share my initial results. As of now I have not yet decided on which VPN to keep but I am open to suggestions and will report when significant changes can be reported.
