Wondering how to get Sky Go working on a Chromebook? Here's how to – no HDMI cable required!
A Chromebook is a great alternative to a regular laptop and they often come at much more reasonable prices. Light, compact and easy to transport, the Chromebook is a great device for anyone on the move.
Chromecast built-in is a technology that lets you cast your favorite entertainment and apps from your phone, tablet or laptop right to your TV or speakers. Firstly, open the Sky Go app on your desktop computer – whether that's an Apple Mac or a Microsoft PC. Ensure that Google Chrome is installed on your computer and that the Sky Go launcher is up to date. Now, to cast to a Chromecast pick something to watch on your Sky Go via the app.
Sky Go is a fantastic app which provides Sky TV customers the ability to watch all their favourite shows on the move. Multiple devices can also be in use under the same roof – that way everyone's happy.
So, here's a look at whether it's possible to get Sky Go working on a Chromebook.
Does Sky Go work with HDMI cables?
Unfortunately, Sky Go subscribers can't plug an HDMI cable into a laptop or mobile device and hook it up to a bigger screen.
Google Chromecast Sky
This is similar to the fact that when watching Sky Go, viewers are unable to take screenshots of a show. Overall, it seems that unless the Sky Go app is installed on the device screen you're watching, you can't view the content.
Sky Go Chromebook HDMI
Thankfully, for anyone with Sky Go and a Chromebook, things are quite straightforward.
The Chromebook is compatible with apps from the Google Play Store. So, head to the Google Play Store to download the Sky Go app. Once installed, log into your Sky Go account and you should be able to watch Sky Go content without a hitch.
The only downside is that an HDMI cable cannot be plugged into the Chromebook to watch on a bigger screen.
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What about Sky Go and a Google Chromecast?
Based on the fact that Sky Go is incompatible with HDMI cables and doesn't allow screenshotting, many would assume that the app wouldn't work with casting devices, either. But, there is a workaround for Chromecast users.
- Firstly, open the Sky Go app on your computer.
- Ensure that Google Chrome is installed on your computer and that the Sky Go launcher is up to date.
- To cast to a Chromecast, pick something to watch on your Sky Go via the app.
- Open Google Chrome and select the ‘Google Cast' option (this is in the top right-hand corner of the browser page) which should show a drop-down of the available devices in your home.
- Select the option under ‘sources' to cast the ‘entire desktop' which is the option to go for rather than just casting your current tab.
Which other devices can I watch Sky Go on?
Sky Go is a great app which comes along with any Sky TV subscription package. The app can be downloaded on both iOS and Android mobile devices.
Bigger devices such as an Android TV support the Sky Go app as well as laptops, PCs and Chromebooks.
The main issue that Sky Go customers have had is getting the content onto a bigger screen. Without HDMI capabilities, for now, viewers will have to watch on smaller screens.
Sky Go App Chromecast Free
Alternatively, see our guide on getting Sky Go up and running on an Amazon Fire TV Stick. With a Firestick, Sky subscribers can enjoy content on the big screen.
70+ British and international entertainment, sports, movies, kids, news, documentary channels, along with thousands of movies, TV shows, and catch-up episodes on-demand.It should be mentioned that Sky Go is exclusive to Sky TV customers only, and it can be availed without paying an extra charge. You will need your Sky ID to log in to the service.
Depending on your Sky TV subscription, your streaming library on Sky Go will vastly vary. Since it's considered as a complimentary service for Sky TV subscribers, it's mandatory for users to pay for the connection.
On Sky Go, you can watch most of the free-to-air channels, including ITV and Channel 4. The service also incorporates all Sky Cinema and Sky Sports channels.
Based on what you have in your Sky TV subscription, you might get access to Sky Atlantic as well, which hosts a variety of blockbuster movies and broadcasts HBO originals, including Game of Thrones, Watchmen, Chernobyl, Westworld, The Outsider, etc. Channels like Sky Comedy, Sky Crime, Sky Nature, Sky One, Sky Documentaries, and many more are available to watch on the Sky Go service.
If your Sky TV subscription includes Sky Sports, then you will get to watch all the Sky Sports channels on the service, which are Sky Sports Premier League, F1, Golf, Cricket, Football, Main Event, Arena, Action, Mix, Racing, etc. You can basically watch live and on-demand sports content on Sky Go.
You can watch some of the best box sets on Sky Go, including Succession, Big Little Lies, Babylon Berlin, Britannia, Cyberwar, True Detective, The Sopranos, Watchmen, Veep, The Wire, Ray Donovan, Dexter, Fortitude, Billions, and dozens of more award-winning titles.
Do you need Sky Go Extra to Chromecast Sky Go?
Many of you probably are confused about Sky Go Extra, whether you need it or not. Fortunately, all you need is a Sky TV subscription, and you won't have to pay for the Extra add-on. It doesn't matter which device you use to watch Sky Go; the Sky Go Extra only gives you an offline download option.
You can only download what your Sky TV subscription includes. There are a few restrictions on the latest catch-ups, but select on-demand programming can be downloaded and stored for up to 30 days offline and can be accessed from the Sky Go app.
The Sky Go Extra add-on adds £5 to your existing Sky TV plan, and you won't need it to watch Sky Go on Chromecast.
Can you Cast Sky Go to Chromecast?
The answer to this question varies based on where you live. A vast majority of people often mix up the Sky Go service in New Zealand with the UK one. The NZ variant of Sky Go natively supports Chromecast, but the same can't be said for the UK variant.
However, it's still possible for Sky TV subscribers in the United Kingdom to watch Sky Go on Firestick using the screen mirroring option, which we will discuss in the next section of this guide.
It's worth mentioning that Kiwi Sky Go users can use Android and iOS devices to cast content on the first, second, and third generations of Chromecast devices.
How to Cast Sky Go on Chromecast in the UK
Although Sky Go users in New Zealand are in luck, British Sky Go users will have to follow a different workaround to cast Sky Go on Chromecast. Unfortunately, you won't be able to use your Android or iOS device, and you will need a PC instead.
The Sky Go app on Android and iOS has DRM restrictions, which means you won't be able to mirror any content on your Chromecast. It will simply show you a black screen.
However, you can take advantage of the desktop version of Sky Go, which doesn't have any sort of DRM system in place. You will also need Google Chrome, which does let you cast the desktop and browser tabs. Here's how you can do it:
Go To Chromecast
- First, go to google.com/chrome and download Google Chrome on your PC if you don't already have it.
- After that, open a browser tab in Chrome and visit https://www.sky.com/watch/sky-go/windows to download the Sky Go desktop app.
- Once you install it, launch the Sky Go app and sign in with your Sky ID and password.
- Now play something on Sky Go, then return to the Chrome window.
- Next, click the vertical ellipsis (⋮) icon on the top-right corner of the navigation bar, then select Cast from the drop-down menu.
Note:If your PC and Chromecast is connected to the same home network, then you should see your Chromecast device in the list. Otherwise, it won't work.
- Click Sources in the pop-up window, then select the Cast desktop.
- Now select your Chromecast device from the list of devices, choose your desktop feed from the window, and click Share.
That's it! You should see your full desktop mirrored on your Chromecast. Audio will work out of the box. You won't have to configure anything else.
You can now return to the Sky Go window and stream your favorite TV channels and TV shows on your Chromecast.
Wrapping up
Sky Go App Through Chromecast
Our workaround to watching Sky Go on Chromecast is a bit complex, but it will do the job just fine. Until Sky TV UK adds back the cast functionality on its Sky Go app, you can follow the steps above and watch Sky Go to Chromecast device.
If you experience artifacts or stutters in the mirrored feed, make sure that your PC and Chromecast device receives adequate Wi-Fi signal strength. Also, if you have a Wi-Fi router set up, then connect your PC or laptop to it over Ethernet for the best Chromecast experience possible.
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