Sky TV viewers could find themselves cut-off from the popular Sky Go app today, September 17.
Given some Sky TV subscribers are being targetted by a spate of phone scams and others will have their television contract cancelled next month, it's been a rough few days for fans of the popular broadcaster.
And now, beginning on September 17, Sky Go will stop working on any iPhone or iPad still running iOS 12, requiring all Sky TV subscribers to update their devices to iOS 13 or newer to continue watching on the service. Apple first launched iOS 12 back in September 2018.
Sky Go is available on iOS, iPadOS, and Android ...but the latest shake-up only impacts those with Apple devices who want to watch live television and on-demand content away from home
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For those who don't know, Sky Go lets you stream free-to-air channels, like ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 over a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. You can also watch content from your Sky TV packages live or on-demand, including Sky Cinema and Sky Sports, if that's included in your monthly bundle.
The latest shake-up from Sky TV promises to impact iPhone and iPad owners, potentially disrupting viewing habits for those who rely on older hardware. Sky TV says the move is necessary to "provide the best possible experience" for Sky Go customers.
The devices that'll be subject to a Sky Go blackout following the change on September 17 include:
If you've got one of these handsets in your pocket, then you won't be able to update from iOS 12 to iOS 13 or newer, meaning you won't be able to watch Sky Go without switching to a newer model of iPhone.
The latest shake-up will only impact those who stream via Sky Go on an iPhone or iPad. If you use Android or Windows, there's no need to panic — Sky isn't making any changes across these platforms this month.
While many Sky TV viewers may have already upgraded to newer devices from Apple, those still relying on these models will need to consider alternatives to continue enjoying Sky's mobile streaming service. Sky Go offers subscribers instant access to live and on-demand content. It allows users to stream their favourite shows, set recordings remotely, and check programme schedules.
While the app itself is free, adding Sky Go to a Sky TV contract is an optional extra. And unless you're on Sky Mobile — which offers unlimited 4G and 5G data to use in the Sky Go app — it could also quickly use-up your monthly mobile data allowance.
"For Sky Go on iOS, we’re removing support for iOS 12 by 17 September," a spokesperson for the broadcaster published in an update on its Sky Community forum. "To ensure we provide the best possible experience to Sky Go customers, from time to time, we stop supporting older operating system versions.
"Users who are on this iOS version won’t be able to use the Sky Go app after this date. They’ll need to update to iOS 13+ to continue using the app. This impacts iOS users only, not other Sky Go platforms."
If you want to check whether there's a pending update waiting for your iPhone, head to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Automatic Updates, then turn on Download iOS Updates. Turn on Install iOS Updates.
This will ensure that new versions of iOS, which include vital security fixes, tweaked designs, and new features, are downloaded and installed automatically. Apple usually schedules the installation process overnight to avoid any disruption.
Sky Go launched back in 2012 as a handy way to stream live and on-demand content from your Sky TV subscription when travelling away from home. As well as offering downloads for offline viewing and live television channels, Sky Go also lets you schedule recordings from anywhere on the planet.
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Following the UK's departure from the European Union, Sky Go no longer enabled subscribers to stream live television or download on-demand content when outside of the country. Your IP address will need to located inside the UK to access Sky Go.
Lastly, the clever app can double-up as a virtual remote control — using the touchscreen on your iPhone or iPad to navigate the menus on-screen. It's perfect for forgetful Sky TV subscribers who always lose the channel changer down the back of the sofa.
As long as you've got the right model of iPhone to continue using it.
It's worth noting that Sky isn't alone in dropping support for older iOS versions. Netflix has recently updated its app to require iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 — axeing devices like the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus. While Netflix hasn't set an immediate cut-off date, users on older versions will no longer receive security updates or bug fixes. This trend highlights the ongoing challenge for streaming services to balance app performance with support for older hardware.
