What does the Sky+ app do?
Latest news for the Sky+ appThe Sky+ app lets you browse the Sky programme guide from your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android devices.
If you register your Sky+ box with MySky, you can set up recordings from the programme guide over the internet, including Series Links to record full seasons on Sky+HD.
There’s a Showcase front page, where Sky promotes its latest, high-profile shows. The programme guide has a now-and-next view for every channel, with the same genres as the Sky Guide on your Sky+ box. Individual channels can be browsed up to seven days ahead, and you can group favourite channels together into a list for quick browsing.
There’s also a search feature for finding individual shows or episodes in the guide.
The iPad and iPhone editions of the Sky+ app also have full playback control for Sky+HD, and access to the Sky+ planner to manage your recordings, if they're connected to the same home network as your Sky+HD box.
How much does the Sky+ app cost?
It’s free.
How can I get the Sky+app?
Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play and download it.
Can I use the Sky+ app on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes. The iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad editions have a slightly different layout, with the iPad app more accessible for browsing (click on the image below for a full-size picture).
The iPad app is the main focus of Sky's development, not only because it's the most popular tablet and represents a premium slice of Sky's customer base.
Can I use the Sky+ app on my Android phone or tablet?
Yes. The phone and tablet versions of the app have a slightly different layout, with the tablet app more accessible for browsing. Support from Android 2.2 to 4.0 on most devices.
New features on the Android edition usually lag several months behind the iOS versions, because Sky says the fragmentation of the Android market makes it more difficult to develop its apps for all but the most popular devices.
Can I use the Sky+ app on my Blackberry or Windows phone?
No. The Sky+ app is not available on Blackberry and Windows Phone.
Do I need an active data connection to use the Sky+ app?
Yes, over 3G or WiFi, but the app uses a very small amount of data.
What are the alternatives?
The are numerous apps that use the message protocol which underlies the Sky+ app, but few of them are as good as Sky's own app.
Virgin Media subscribers can browse listings on the Virgin Media TV Guide app, and set recordings for their TiVo box. It's on iPhone/iPad, and Android.
Latest news for the Sky+ app
- Now available on all virtually all Android phones and tablets
- iPhone and iPad users can order Sky On Demand downloads to Sky+HD
- iPhone becomes remote control with full Planner access
- iPad upgrade brings Twitter and show info
- iPad becomes a full Sky+HD remote control
- iPad to get Sky+HD remote control power
Now available on all virtually all Android phones and tablets
The Sky+ remote record app is now available for download on virtually all Android devices.
This means if you’ve picked up a Samsung, HTC or Sony phone over the last couple of years, chances are you can now make use of the Sky+ app. This will let you set recordings on your Sky+HD box away from home, manage recordings and set an entire series to record with series link.
When you’re sat in front of your TV, you’ll now also be able to use your phone as a smart remote control, swiping the screen to rewind and skip forwards as well as pause the action.
In order to set up remote record, you’ll need to head over to sky.com/remoterecord and entrer your Sky iD.
To use your Android phone as a smart remote, you’ll also have to be connected (via WiFi) to the same home broadband network that your Sky+HD box is on.
February 5, 2013
iPhone and iPad users can order Sky On Demand downloads to Sky+HD
Sky On Demand downloads can be cued up on your Sky+HD from your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch in the latest app upgrade.
All 6,000 hours of the Sky On Demand catalogue can be browsed on any iOS 5 or better device, if it’s on the same local network as your Sky+ HD box.
Luke Bradley-Jones, Director of TV Products, Sky said: “This great new feature capitalises on the iPad or iPhone touchscreen to make it easier than ever to browse and discover something new to watch, regardless of whether you are near your Sky+HD box or elsewhere in your home.
“So when you’ve got a house-full this Christmas, rather than interrupt the kids’ cartoons or the big match, you can now browse through the On Demand movie listings from the kitchen whilst making dinner, and find the perfect film to watch later on.”
As with the other recent Sky+ app upgrades, there’s no word on an Android update.
December 12, 2012
iPhone becomes remote control with full Planner access
Sky has extended full remote control functions for the Sky+ app to the iPhone, and added access to the Sky+ Planner over your home network.
The upgrade brings the Sky+ app closer to the Virgin Media TV Anywhere app, which leapfrogged to the head of the pack for TV remote control apps when it launched last week.
Both iPhone and iPad owners can now browse all the recordings on their Sky+HD box across their home network, as well as set up and delete recordings, without interrupting what's on the screen.
There's no word yet on a schedule for adding home remote control functions to the Sky+ app for Android.
November 13, 2012
iPad upgrade brings Twitter and show info
Furthering its position as the flagship of Sky's remote control apps, the Sky+ iPad app has been updated to include dedicated Twitter feeds for shows on Sky.
The new features have been imported from social TV app Zeebox, which Sky bought last year, and let you follow shows on almost any channel available through your Sky box, and contribute your own comments.
The app update is already available on iTunes and also delivers extra information about the shows they're watching, such as actors' biographies and soundtrack playlists.
September 29, 2012
iPad becomes a full Sky+HD remote control
The iPad edition of the Sky+ app is now a full remote control for Sky+ HD, letting you change channels, pause, play and rewind TV by swiping across the screen, as demonstrated in the video below.
Users can also browse the TV Guide and add recordings to the Sky+ Planner, or delete them, while the main TV screen is uninterrupted, if they're connected to the same home network as their Sky+ HD.
Sky has given the app a new look, and promised to add more 'second screen' functions from the Zeebox app. Sky said there are no plans yet for upgrades to the iPhone or Android Sky+ apps, with a continuing focus on the iPad.
iPad to get Sky+HD remote control power
The iPad edition of the Sky+ app will become a full remote control for Sky+ HD, allowing users to pause and rewind live TV or recordings using swipe gestures. You’ll also be able to browse your Sky+HD Planner and add or delete recordings without interrupting the viewing on your main TV.
July 26, 2012
