Sky Go: Your Ultimate Guide to Watching Sky TV on the Go
In today’s fast-paced world, entertainment on the move is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Sky Go, a service provided by Sky, allows you to watch your favourite Sky channels and on-demand content on a variety of devices, wherever you are. Whether you’re commuting to work, relaxing in a hotel, or simply away from your main TV, Sky Go provides a seamless entertainment experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Sky Go, from understanding its features to setting it up on your devices.
What is Sky Go?
Sky Go is a live TV and on-demand streaming service that complements your existing Sky TV subscription. It allows you to watch a selection of your Sky channels and catch up on content you might have missed, all via an internet connection. Think of it as your portable Sky box, accessible from your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or even games console. The beauty of Sky Go lies in its flexibility; it enables you to stay connected to your favorite shows, sports, and movies without being tethered to your main TV set.
Who Can Use Sky Go?
Sky Go is available to Sky TV customers in the UK and Ireland. The channels you can access on Sky Go directly correspond to the package you have with Sky at home. For example, if you subscribe to Sky Sports, you can stream Sky Sports channels on Sky Go. The same principle applies to other channel packs, such as Sky Cinema, entertainment, and kids’ content. The service is typically included in your Sky subscription at no extra cost, although some add-ons or premium features might require a separate purchase.
Key Features of Sky Go
Sky Go is more than just a simple live stream service; it’s packed with features designed to improve your viewing experience:
- Live TV Streaming: Watch your subscribed Sky channels live, just as you would on your TV. This is perfect for catching breaking news, live sports events, and your favorite shows as they air.
- On-Demand Content: Access a vast library of on-demand TV shows, movies, and documentaries. Catch up on episodes you missed or explore a new series entirely at your own pace.
- Download & Watch Offline: Download selected content to your device and watch it offline, making it ideal for travel or situations where you have limited internet connectivity. This is particularly useful for commutes, long flights, and even while you are in areas with weak internet signal.
- Personalized Viewing: Sky Go lets you manage your watchlist, create profiles for different users in your household, and personalize your viewing experience with ease. This allows you to keep track of the shows you’re watching and gives each member of the family a way to enjoy content that suits their tastes.
- Device Compatibility: Sky Go is available on a wide range of devices, including laptops (PC and Mac), smartphones (iOS and Android), tablets, and selected games consoles. This flexibility means you can watch Sky content wherever it is convenient for you.
- Parental Controls: Set up parental controls to restrict access to content deemed unsuitable for children. This ensures a safe viewing experience for the entire family. You can manage the parental control options from within your Sky account settings.
- Continue Watching: Pick up where you left off on different devices, thanks to Sky Go’s handy continue watching feature. This seamless transition from one device to another is perfect for the busy viewer.
Getting Started with Sky Go: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know what Sky Go is and what it offers, let’s explore how to set it up on your devices.
Step 1: Check Your Sky Subscription
First things first, ensure that you have an active Sky TV subscription. Sky Go is a complimentary service offered to existing Sky TV customers. If you don’t have a Sky TV subscription, you’ll need to sign up for one first before you can access Sky Go. Check your Sky account information to verify your subscription status.
Step 2: Choose Your Device
Decide which device you want to use to access Sky Go. You can choose from the following devices:
- Computers: Laptops (PC and Mac). Sky Go works through your web browser
- Smartphones & Tablets: iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices. Sky Go works via an installed app
- Games Consoles: Some PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Sky Go works via an installed app.
The following sections will guide you through the setup process on each of these types of devices.
Step 3: Setting Up Sky Go on Your Computer
If you plan to use a computer to watch Sky Go, follow these steps:
- Open your web browser: On your PC or Mac, open your preferred web browser (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge).
- Go to the Sky Go website: Type “skygo.com” into your browser’s address bar and press Enter.
- Sign in: Click the ‘Sign In’ button located at the top right corner of the page. Enter your Sky ID username and password. This is the same login you use for your Sky account.
- Start watching: Once logged in, you can access live TV channels, on-demand content, or any shows that you have downloaded. Use the search or browse function to find what you are looking for.
Step 4: Setting Up Sky Go on Your Smartphone or Tablet
For smartphones and tablets, you will need to download the Sky Go app from the respective app store.
- Go to your app store: If you are on an iOS device (iPhone or iPad), go to the App Store. If you are on an Android device, go to the Google Play Store.
- Search for Sky Go: In the search bar of your app store, type “Sky Go”.
- Download and install the app: Find the official Sky Go app in the search results and tap on the “Get” (iOS) or “Install” (Android) button to start the download.
- Open the app: Once the download is complete, tap the Sky Go app icon to launch it.
- Sign in: On the app login screen, enter your Sky ID username and password. This is the same username and password you use for logging into your sky account and sky go website.
- Start watching: Once signed in, you will have access to the live channels, on-demand content, and downloaded shows. Navigate through the menus to find the content you would like to watch.
Step 5: Setting Up Sky Go on Games Consoles
Sky Go is also available on select games consoles such as PlayStations and Xbox. This is a similar process to smartphones and tablets.
- Access the app store: On your console, go to the app store. This could be the PlayStation Store or the Xbox Games Store.
- Search for Sky Go: Use the search function within the app store and type “Sky Go”.
- Download and Install the app: Locate the official Sky Go app and follow the instructions provided by the app store to download and install the app onto your console.
- Launch the Sky Go app: Once the installation is complete, find the app on your console’s dashboard and launch it.
- Sign in: Enter your Sky ID username and password on the sign-in screen.
- Start watching: You can now use the app to access live channels and on-demand content directly from your games console.
Understanding Device Limits on Sky Go
Sky Go imposes limitations on the number of devices that can be registered to your account and the number of devices that can stream content simultaneously.
- Device Limits: You can register a certain number of devices to your Sky Go account. This number varies depending on your specific Sky subscription package. Typically, you can register several devices for streaming and you can change the registered devices from your Sky Go account online through their website.
- Simultaneous Streams: There is also a limit on the number of devices that can stream Sky Go content simultaneously. Again this number depends on the Sky TV package that you have subscribed to. Typically, you can stream on 1 or 2 devices concurrently with your standard Sky TV subscription.
It is crucial to be aware of these limitations to avoid frustration when trying to use Sky Go on multiple devices. You may need to remove a registered device through your Sky Go account settings to register a new one if you exceed your device limits. It is also worthwhile knowing if you are able to stream on multiple devices or if you only have a single stream available, before multiple people in your household try to use the service.
Tips and Troubleshooting for Sky Go
While Sky Go is generally reliable, you may encounter some issues from time to time. Here are some tips and troubleshooting suggestions:
- Check your internet connection: Sky Go requires a stable and reliable internet connection. If you experience buffering or poor-quality streams, try troubleshooting your wifi, restarting your router, and using a wired connection if possible. A fast and stable internet connection is essential for smooth streaming.
- Update the Sky Go app or website: Ensure that you are using the latest version of the Sky Go app or website. App updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements.
- Clear cache and cookies: If you are experiencing issues with the website version of Sky Go, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies may resolve the problem.
- Restart your device: A simple restart of your computer, smartphone, tablet, or games console can often fix minor technical issues.
- Check for service outages: If you are still having trouble, check Sky’s official website or social media channels for any reported service outages in your area. You could also use a service outage monitoring tool such as DownDetector to determine if there is an issue reported by other Sky customers.
- Reinstall the app: If the app continues to malfunction, try uninstalling it and then reinstalling it from the app store. This process can sometimes clear up issues caused by corrupted files or cached data.
- Contact Sky customer support: If none of the above steps resolve your issue, contact Sky’s customer support for further assistance. They have a range of contact methods including their website, via social media, or by phone.
Sky Go Extra and Sky Go Multi-Screen
Sky offers additional premium packages designed to enhance your Sky Go experience. Sky Go Extra and Sky Go Multi-Screen allows you to stream to more than one device at the same time, and may allow you to download on multiple devices.
- Sky Go Extra: This allows you to download on more than one device, and watch on more devices concurrently. The specific number of devices you can watch on and the specific download limits will vary depending on your package, so it is always worthwhile checking the limitations of the specific extra package you have with Sky.
- Sky Go Multi-Screen: This package is ideal for multi-person households as it lets you watch Sky on multiple devices simultaneously. This means family members can watch Sky in different rooms or on the go without interrupting each other’s viewing experience. The specific number of concurrent streams available with this package varies, and will typically be more than the standard Sky Go package allows.
If you have a busy household or frequently watch content on different devices at the same time, consider these extra packages to maximize your Sky Go experience.
Conclusion
Sky Go is an exceptional service that empowers you to take your Sky TV entertainment with you, no matter where you are. By following the steps in this comprehensive guide, you should be able to easily set up Sky Go on your devices and enjoy your favourite content on the go. Remember to keep your app updated, maintain a stable internet connection, and take advantage of Sky Go’s features to enhance your viewing pleasure. With Sky Go, you’re no longer limited by your living room, but the freedom to enjoy Sky’s incredible lineup of TV shows, sports, movies, and more on the device of your choice.