# New Google TV with new google account + VPN or without Internet access **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/new-google-tv-with-new-google-account-vpn-or-without-internet-access/34595 **Category:** Questions **Created:** 2026-01-10T14:17:08Z **Posts:** 36 ## Post 1 by @leokent66 — 2026-01-10T14:17:08Z I got a new Google TV that is yet to arrive and I’m considering my options on how to connect it to my network. My main requirement is that the TV must be able to access my Jellyfin instance that is hosted on a different subnet. A secondary but not as important requirement is for youtube. The 2 options I’m considering are: 1. Get a VPN gateway and create a new google account for use only with the TV 2. Block the TV from the Internet entirely Kodi can be configured to use a proxy server so I’m confident I can get it to access the Jellyfin instance without port or inta-zone forwarding on either OpenWRT device. Each has its pros and cons as listed in the diagram below. The main con for option 2 is that manual updates reset the TV to factory and I will have to set it up (apps + settings + calibration) all over again every time. As a result I’m leaning toward option 1 but I want to listen to the opinions of others to see if it’s a valid strategy or there’s anything I haven’t taken into consideration. Network diagram for both options: (Option 1 may require a proxy server to listen on the Brume 2 device as well but I won’t know until I get one) ![image](https://forum-uploads.privacyguidesusercontent.com/original/3X/5/1/519f96ce95354af3e79d0149f4706f6565dd7778.png) --- ## Post 2 by @iluvprivacy — 2026-01-10T17:15:25Z What do you mean by a temporary Google account? --- ## Post 3 by @leokent66 — 2026-01-10T17:18:40Z Bad wording on my part. I mean create a new google account just for the TV. Will never purchase any apps, send an email or do anything other than receive updates for the TV and download a few apps from Google Play. Edit: title and OP edited for clarity --- ## Post 4 by @Tux — 2026-01-11T22:10:57Z > [@leokent66](#): > > Block the TV from the Internet entirely I think this is always the best option. TVs are simple monitors and should not need any updates. Isolating these devices from the Internet seems essential considering that they have microphones (often in the remote) and sometimes cameras, and that updates are often hostile to the user (introduce unwanted features like AI). A throwaway Google account won’t help against that. Much like modern cars, TVs are incredibly privacy invasive. I am not sure about the Kodi/Jellyfin setup. My approach is to use a separate “top box” to stream as I often rely on the Web browser for my content (I find Kodi boxes too limited). --- ## Post 5 by @leokent66 — 2026-01-12T13:21:07Z Modern TVs defintely require updates if you want to get the updates for HDR, DV, HDR10+ specs as well as firmware updates for the local dimming algorithm etc. I was using the set top box approach (rpi4 + libreelec) with my old TV but the ones supporting the propriatery HDR formats + jellyfin compatibility are usually Google TV as well so I don’t know if that’s any better. Libreelec was lacking in that regard. Coreelec seems to be better but there are other factors to consider. For anyone looking at this in the future this is the approach I will probably take: I will be doing both connectivity options. Ethernet for the VPN connection which will be enabled at initial setup and then only to install apps and receive update for apps and the OS. Wi-Fi will be the default connection with no Internet access behind a socks5 proxy server for access to the Jellyfin instance. The TV doesn’t have a camera. As for the microphones, it has a built in switch to disable the ones on the panel. I don’t know how to confirm they are actually disabled but I’ve yet to look into this. The microphone on the remote is push to talk. I presume this is to minimise battery drain when always listening. I will also remove the batteries from the remote when the VPN connection is live. Another option is to unsolder the microphone itself from the remote which I will probably do. Or I can get a universal remote without a mic. --- ## Post 6 by @anon61753997 — 2026-01-12T13:38:57Z > [@leokent66](#): > > The 2 options I’m considering are: > > 1. Get a VPN gateway and create a new google account for use only with the TV > 2. Block the TV from the Internet entirely What about the middle-ground option? In other words, you disconnect TV from the Internet most of the time and only connect it to the Internet for a very limited amount of time for updates. > [@leokent66](#): > > Each has its pros and cons as listed in the diagram below. The main con for option 2 is that manual updates reset the TV to factory and I will have to set it up (apps + settings + calibration) all over again every time. Is there no backup feature at all? --- ## Post 7 by @leokent66 — 2026-01-12T13:41:23Z > [@anon61753997](#): > > What about the middle-ground option? This actually what I will probably end up doing. See my last post. > [@anon61753997](#): > > Is there no backup feature at all? I haven’t checked as it didn’t even occur to me. I will look into it. Edit: No local backup option exists. If a backup option is available it will be to Google servers. --- ## Post 8 by @ImTooPhaT — 2026-01-12T13:57:51Z > [@leokent66](#): > > This actually what I will probably end up doing. See my last post. See if you can download the latest firmware on a USB first. --- ## Post 9 by @leokent66 — 2026-01-12T14:11:35Z Manual update resets to factory. --- ## Post 10 by @ImTooPhaT — 2026-01-12T14:14:27Z What do you mean? You haven’t got your TV yet. A firmware update via USB shouldn’t reset your TV to factory. --- ## Post 11 by @leokent66 — 2026-01-12T14:18:37Z That is what the manufacturer says on their website. --- ## Post 12 by @ImTooPhaT — 2026-01-12T14:35:05Z Even if that’s true, that should be fine when you do it for the first time. If you want, send me the link to the website. I don’t understand why a USB firmware update would reset your TV, but not an online update. --- ## Post 13 by @leokent66 — 2026-01-12T14:43:37Z > **[TCL | America’s Fastest Growing TV Brand](https://support.tcl.com/us-googletv-troubleshooting/how-to-perform-a-manual-update-on-tcl-google-tvs)** > > Already one of the World's best-selling TV brands, TCL (The Creative Life) is now one of the fastest growing consumer electronics brands in North America. Founded over 30 years ago, TCL prides itself on delivering more to consumers with high quality... If it was just the apps that I would have to set up again I would be OK with it, but I will be paying someone to calibrate it for me. If I could backup and restore the calibration it would be great but I doubt the option exists. It could be that the calibration can be input manually after a factory reset but I will have to consult with the calibration guy about this. --- ## Post 14 by @ImTooPhaT — 2026-01-12T15:07:01Z Ok, the reason why is because the manufacturer would have to send you a USB with the update. Normally, you can search for your model number and click on Downloads, for example: > **[TCL 55’’ QM7K Series QD-Mini LED QLED 4K UHD Smart TV with Google TV – 55QM7K...](https://us.tcl.com/products/tcl-55-qm7k-series-qd-mini-led-qled-4k-uhd-smart-tv-with-google-tv-55qm7k?_pos=6&_sid=e3f9dad78&_ss=r)** > > The TCL QM7K Series combines stunning visuals and immersive sound. With LD2500 Precise Dimming, HDR 3000 nits peak brightness, 144Hz Refresh Rate, Game Accelerator 288 (240 in 50”/55”/115”), and AIPQ Processor PRO, it delivers exceptional clarity,... But it looks like you can only download manuals for the TVs. As for calibration, the calibration guy should give you the settings so that you can calibrate the TV yourself. --- ## Post 15 by @leokent66 — 2026-01-12T15:13:42Z The updates are also announced for the public through the official TCL Telegram channel with download links on Google Drive. I presume that will also perform a factory reset as well but I will have to test it out when the TV arrives. --- ## Post 16 by @win11.shading291 — 2026-01-15T03:34:33Z Creating a google account might be complicated actually. You need to provide a phone # most of the time which would then be easy to link with your real google account or any past ones. Unless you use a service like smspool or jmp.chat, creating a simple account is more complicated then you might think. I actually just finished a setup with Google TV and for now I plug in my PC to the screen when I need to. I’m waiting for the steam machine and will use that to connect to Jellyfin/Plex/Kodi. --- ## Post 17 by @iluvprivacy — 2026-02-12T07:07:19Z Will a jump.chat number even work with Google? --- ## Post 18 by @Man — 2026-02-12T09:00:06Z Is the market so bad that you need to buy a Google TV? I didn’t even know Google sold TVs. My rule for big screens is to never connect. I don’t know about updates but if that was my only option I’d rather not have one. A connected Google product is incompatible with privacy. --- ## Post 19 by @redoomed1 — 2026-02-14T17:51:06Z 11 posts were merged into an existing topic: [Privacy on Streaming Boxes and “Smart TVs”](/t/privacy-on-streaming-boxes-and-smart-tvs/9519/110) --- ## Post 24 by @kissu — 2026-02-12T09:32:46Z Wait, is GoogleTV a box next to your TV (like AppleTV) or an app on the TV? Either way, I’d recommend DIY your own mini PC and not relying on some random software running in the background 24/7 from Google. Less headaches and you probably are 90% there already. :+1:t2: --- ## Post 26 by @kissu — 2026-02-12T09:41:59Z Reading again, the concern is mostly about HDR and I do understand that one. But there are solutions with small mini PCs indeed > [@Best video player for HDR playback on desktop Linux?](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/best-video-player-for-hdr-playback-on-desktop-linux/35178/6): > > I am not sure if there are a lot of FOSS players that are better quality than MPV. Infuse works well and is cool[[1]](#footnote-137150-1) but it’s a product and it’s probably just a few plugins/codecs away from being perfect. Haven’t gotten through all the steps myself, so no: not sure about how it works but here are the things I narrowed down in general. You need 3 things to have a proper working HDR experience: your source movie needs to be “HDR-enabled” (or be trans/encoded into it before the delivery) hav… Don’t give up and let your TV spy on you buddy! :hugs: * * * > The main con for option 2 is that manual updates reset the TV to factory Damn, what a drawback RIP for that one. :joy: * * * Great setup on everything else otherwise! I’ll personally would route everything through your VPN if it was me and indeed offline the whole Google TV part. And deal with the drawbacks of it. :+1:t2: --- ## Post 30 by @Man — 2026-02-12T10:07:35Z If you have the option for manual updates without internet connectivity then forget the apps and Google account. Don’t bother updating frequently if it resets calibration. If Google TV is an OS then a connected Google TV is spyware. Google televisions don’t need to worry about malware if you use it like a monitor. All smart TV apps go out of date long before the TV dies. It can store data too, so if you only connect to the internet once every 6 months it can still transmit that. If firmware can be updated offline that is your only privacy respecting option. There are still projectors without these features. > Google TV is the new, **personalised** experience that comes built into smart TVs and streaming devices from top brands. Google TV is powered by an underlying operating system called Android TV OS. Some smart TVs and streaming devices are powered by Android TV OS but do not have the Google TV interface. These devices are referred to as Android TV devices. --- ## Post 31 by @win11.shading291 — 2026-02-13T03:57:15Z I would ping @PurpleDime for this question as I think they did try a service like jmp.chat. --- ## Post 32 by @PurpleDime — 2026-02-13T11:57:38Z I’m surprised I had not commented on this thread because I’m pretty sure not long ago someone asked for similar advice. > [@leokent66](#): > > I got a new Google TV that is yet to arrive and I’m considering my options on how to connect it to my network. By Google TV I’m guessing you mean you got a smart TV that runs Android TV? Because as far as I know, Google doesn’t manufacture televisions, and all smart TVs run Android. [My advice is the same as before](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/ars-technica-how-to-break-free-from-smart-tv-ads-and-tracking/33756/7): **RULE #1: DO NOT connect your smart TV to the internet. Use a TV box instead.** I understand that using a TV box means spending more money, but that is what I would recommend. I use the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro, which is arguably the best Android TV Box from a UI & UX standpoint. From a privacy standpoint, it’s still Android, but it has less bloatware. > [@leokent66](#): > > Get a VPN gateway and create a new google account for use only with the TV That is an excellent idea, but apply it to the TV box instead. Don’t connect your TV to the internet and use a VPN to create an anonymous Google account that will be exclusively used for your TV box. Creating a Google account anonymously can be tricky though because it will require a phone number. If you live in a country where ID registration is not required when buying or using a prepaid SIM card, (US, UK, Canada(?)), then I suggest you do that as your chances of success are pretty much guaranteed. If you live in a country where ID registration is required however, which is most countries, then you will need to use a service like [SMSPool](https://www.smspool.net/) or [JMP.Chat](https://jmp.chat/). > [@win11.shading291](#): > > I would ping @PurpleDime for this question as I think they did try a service like jmp.chat. [I have only used SMSPool](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/how-do-you-create-a-google-account-privately-need-a-temp-phone-number-service/31758/19), but have heard good things about JMP.Chat too. Both accept Monero which allows you to pay anonymously. If you are going to go this route, [my advice is the same as before](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/privacy-on-streaming-boxes-and-smart-tvs/9519/77): > [@Privacy on Streaming Boxes and "Smart TVs"](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/privacy-on-streaming-boxes-and-smart-tvs/9519/77): > > 1. _ **Keep the number for at least a month.** _ > 2. _ **Enable 2FA via authentication app right after you created your account.** _ > 3. _ **Keep logging into that account multiple times a week for at least a month.** _ > > [I described my experienced with SMS Pool here.](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/how-do-you-create-a-google-account-privately-need-a-temp-phone-number-service/31758/19) > > Don’t make the same mistakes I made. --- ## Post 33 by @anon0179693 — 2026-02-13T13:09:57Z > [@PurpleDime](#): > > By Google TV I’m guessing you mean you got a smart TV that runs Android TV? no it’s an android tv based operating system made by google themselves that tailors fully to google services including gemini (in the context of smart tv, yeah it’s that confusing) Android TV is like the parent of all tvs, boxes, sticks etc. many especially newer tv, tv boxes/sticks run on Google TV, its a bit rare to find Android TV only with the exception of tv sticks and boxes > [@PurpleDime](#): > > RULE #1: DO NOT connect your smart TV to the internet. Use a TV box instead. Corrrect, this is a rule set in the wiki too > [@Harm Reducing/Replacing your Smart TV](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/harm-reducing-replacing-your-smart-tv/27392): > > In general, the TV industry has moved toward making them [“smart”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_TV), meaning that it’s super rare to find [“dumb” TVs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television), if you can find a TV that doesn’t spy on you. Projectors generally haven’t followed the same path, but there are projectors that have “smart features” built in. Displays Monitors (Recommended) Generally speaking, unless you want to go the used route, it is impossible if not rare to find “dumb” TVs in stores nowadays, so one of the general recommendations is to buy a monitor in … it also points to alternative means so yeah tbh alot of OP’s answer could have pointed to this community wiki --- ## Post 34 by @PurpleDime — 2026-02-13T14:17:59Z > [@anon0179693](#): > > no > > it’s an android tv based operating system made by google themselves that tailors fully to google services including gemini (in the context of smart tv, yeah it’s that confusing) > > Android TV is like the parent of all tvs, boxes, sticks etc. > > many especially newer tv, tv boxes/sticks run on Google TV, it’s a bit rare to find Android TV only with the exception of tv sticks and boxes Oh, yes, I remember hearing about. I got a new Android phone recently and by default it had the Google TV app. I don’t think I was able to remove it. **Does this mean Google TV is replacing Android TV? Is it simply a rebranding of Android TV?** I really hope someone in the privacy community comes up with a simple private alternative to Android/Google TV. --- ## Post 35 by @anon0179693 — 2026-02-13T14:22:42Z Google TV is not replacing Android TV necessarily, its more superseding I guess. To my understanding under the hood it is still Android TV just with google sprinkle for alternative, in the exact wiki this was shared: > **[Plasma Bigscreen](https://plasma-bigscreen.org/)** > > A privacy-respecting, open source and secure TV ecosystem --- ## Post 36 by @leokent66 — 2026-03-16T14:23:01Z Apologies for ghosting this topic. Was severely ill for a couple of weeks and then the TV came and I was testing things. TLDR: Google TV OS running on the TV has a certain limitation that is a deal breaker to me. Will get a new STB and if it is Android/Google TV based I will use the same connectivity scheme I detail below. If one is knowledgeable my approach is fairly straight forward to replicate. I skimmed the posts since the last time I posted and would like to address a couple of things before I go into my finding and my setup. - The OS of the TV is Google TV. - A TV running Google TV OS is slightly worse for privacy than a STB running android or Google TV because of ACR (Automatic Content Recognition). Other than that they are pretty much identical in my opinion. In my case I expect telemetry and spying goes to both Google and TCL. Getting an nVidia shield means telemetry and spying goes to Google and nVidia. The connectivity approach I implemented bypasses most if not all of those concerns. How the TV is connected: 1. Ethernet is plugged in to a VPN gateway which has no access to my network. 2. Wi-Fi is connected to a network that is isolated in its own subnet without Internet access. - I have a socks5 proxy server listening on my OpenWRT router providing access to the rest of my network and the Internet at large. - I use [SocksTun](https://github.com/heiher/sockstun) to provide apps access to the proxy server. Initial setup: 1. Disabled the microphone that is built in to the panel using the switch on the bottom. 2. Updated the set to the latest firmware using a manual update with a USB. 3. Created a new Google account for use solely with the TV with fake information. 4. Connected the TV with the VPN gateway and signed in with Google. This is required to be able to install apps. 5. Did not pair the remote with the TV so the remote mic is useless even if accidentally pressing the talk button. 6. Went in permissions and disabled mic access to all apps. 7. Downloaded a browser app from Google Play to download and install [Obtainium](https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium). 8. Uninstalled the previously mentioned browser app. 9. Used Obtainium to install SocksTun. 10. Disconnected the Ethernet cable and connected to the Wi-Fi network. 11. Used SocksTun to connect Obtainium to the proxy server. 12. Using Obtainium I installed the following apps: - [FLauncher](https://github.com/zyprex/FLauncher) - [Tubular](https://github.com/polymorphicshade/Tubular) - [KeyMapper](https://github.com/keymapperorg/KeyMapper) - [TV Bro](https://github.com/truefedex/tv-bro) - [Material Files](https://github.com/zhanghai/MaterialFiles) - [Jellyfin TV](https://github.com/jellyfin/jellyfin-androidtv), [Fladder](https://github.com/DonutWare/Fladder), [Void](https://github.com/hritwikjohri/Void-for-jellyfin) 1. Used TV Bro to download and install Kodi. 2. Used SocksTun to connect all these apps except FLauncher to the proxy server. 3. Remapped the buttons on the remote to my liking but the most important one is that I _ **remapped the push-to-talk button to do nothing globally.** _ Even though the remote is not paired this is an option should one choose to pair it. Before remapping it a toast notification would appear saying I had to pair the remote in order to be able to use voice actions. After remapping that notification doesn’t appear. My initial thinking to use the Kodi proxy connection does not work because that proxy applies only to Kodi itself and not any plugins one may have installed. Luckily SocksTun works great for this. I have not connected the TV using the Ethernet cable once since then. So all in all the TV was connected to the Internet with unfettered access using the VPN gateway for about 5 minutes. I am monitoring the TCL releases on Telegram and will connect it when an OTA release is announced so I can update it. Now only the apps I allow via SocksTun can access my network and the Internet. This setup works with the following limitations: 1. AFR (Automatic Frame Rate) does not work for apps, only via HDMI. This is the main deal breaker for me because the OS is locked at 60Hz and 3:2 pulldown on large screens gives me a headache after about 20 minutes. 2. This also means that the resolution is locked at 3840x2180p and the app playing the media has to handle upscaling in software when viewing lower res content. I tested this playing 1080p content from HDMI and hardware does a much better job upscaling than software. 3. Some apps UI/UX is not great on the TV. Obtainium is terrible but workable with a keyboard. I ended up exporting the list of apps from my phone and importing it on the TV using a samba share I access with Material Files. Updating apps is a breaze. KeyMapper is also an offender to a lesser extent but after initial setup one will rarely open it. Tubular is also not great and it requires some getting used to but is functional. Not a terrible trade-off overall. 4. Some annoying popups here and there. Mainly the “Wi-Fi has no Internet access” every time the TV is turned on. 5. KeyMapper has to be re-enabled every time the TV is restarted. Everything else works as expected. Google/TCL don’t get my data and Kodi/Jellyin apps are able to connect to my Jellyfin instance. Most play all HDR formats. There was a toggle in Kodi that even made it work with FEL or MEL (not sure which as I didn’t care enough to research further but it was probably MEL). Considering I can’t even watch an episode longer than 20 minutes, let alone a movie, without getting a headache I will be buying a STB and should it be Android/Google TV based I will configure it exactly the same way as I’ve detailed above. If CoreELEC is an option I will go with that route. It will all come down to availability and price. For the time being I’ve gone back to using LibreELEC on my raspberry pi 4. It lacks DoVi and HDR10+ compatibility which is why I’ll be getting a new STB. The TV will remain connected as it currently is so it can receive OTA updates in the future and Tubular as an afterthought until I settle on which STB to get and see what my options are. Edit: Forgot to mention that the TV is still not calibrated because the service is mostly unavailable in my country. One guy quoted me 600 Euros which I’m not willing to shell out. If I manage to calibrate it professionally using 20-point calibration I’ll probably keep the connectivity as it stands. If not I’ll likely disconnect it entirely and use 2-point calibration by eye-balling it.