If you've got a Sky subscription, then you can also view any content that's bundled with your package using the Sky Go app. This holds true, whether you've got Sky+ HD or Sky Q, as the app works with both types of accounts. As useful as this, ensuring that you never miss a show, film or sporting event while you're out and about, the app is a little fiddly and Sky's quite restrictive on the number of devices that you can use and how you can change them. Here's everything that you need to know about managing, adding and removing your Sky Go devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android, Xbox One and PS4.
Sky Go subscriptions and device limits
The default Sky Go app supports two devices (phone, tablet, Windows or Mac). Upgrading to Sky Go Extra (£5 a month) upgrades that limit to four devices and lets you watch TV on your Xbox One, PS3 or PS4. It also lets you download shows to your mobile device, so you can watch when you're offline.
Once you've hit your device limit, you can only watch Sky Go on another device if you first remove it from another one (I'll show you how later). Sky only lets you remove and add one device per calendar month, which is very restrictive, but stops people from sharing their account details with too many other people.
How to manage your devices
This is the short version of how to manage your Sky Go devices, but the full instructions below explain what to do in more detail.
- You can have a maximum of two devices (four with Sky Go Extra) at any point connected to your Sky Go
- To connect a device, fire up the Sky Go app and sign in
- Once you've hit your device limit you can remove old devices online at go.sky.com
- When you have a spare slot, you can add a new device
- You can change or update one device per calendar month
Adding Sky Go
To add Sky Go device to your account is easy. All you have to do is get the relevant app and log in with your Sky ID. If you don't have a Sky ID, you can register one on the Sky website. You'll need your account number or viewing card to hand in order to register. Once you've got one primary account, you can register up to nine additional accounts for other members of your family, using the same process. All of the accounts are tied together and the device limit is your account, not per Sky ID anymore (you used to be able to add up to 20 devices by creating 10 Sky IDs).
Windows or Mac
Go to go.sky.com and click the Sign In button at the top-left of the screen. Enter your Sky ID and password and click the Sign In button. Select any show that you want to watch and, if prompted, click the link to install Microsoft Silverlight. Provided you have enough device slots left, you can watch on this computer.
Apple/Android
You can download the iOS app and Android app for free. Run the app, select a programme and tap Watch. You'll be asked to sign into your Sky ID, so enter your username and password. Provided that you haven't run out of device slots, you'll now be able to watch live. If you've upgraded your Sky Account to Sky Go Extra, you can also hit the Download button to save shows your phone or tablet.
Xbox One/Xbox 360
On either Xbox, you have to have Sky Go Extra, or you won't be able to watch anything. On the Xbox 360, install the Sky TV app from the Video Marketplace. On the Xbox One, go to Xbox One apps and install the Sky app. On either Xbox, launch the app and sign in with your Sky ID to start watching.
PS3/PS4
With Sony's console, you also need to have Sky Go Extra. On the PS4, sign into the PlayStation Network, go to TV & Video and install TV from Sky. On the PS3, sign into the PlayStation Network, go to TV/Video Services, My Channels and select Sky. On both devices, log into your Sky ID when prompted to start watching.
Managing and removing Sky Go devices
Once you've hit your limit of Sky Go devices (two for normal subscriptions and four for Sky Go Extra) you'll get a warning message when you try and add anything else, telling you that you have reached your limit. Most Sky Go apps have a Settings tab where you can manage your devices, but it's often easier just to do it via the website. Go to go.sky.com, log in to your account and click Settings, Manage Devices. Next to any current Device, you can click Rename and give your devices more sensible names, if you can't work out what they are. You can also click Remove (you'll get a warning message asking you to confirm the selection) to get rid of a device. You can now follow the steps above to register a new device. Please note that you can only change or add one replacement device per calendar month, so you can't clear out your Sky Go device list and repopulate it from scratch.
