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Best Sky Go VPNs: How to Watch Sky Go from Abroad
Our Verdict
The best way to watch Sky Go from abroad is by using a VPN to connect to a server in the UK or Ireland. We recommend ExpressVPN as it has a proven track record of unblocking Sky Go, it provides fast servers in cities around the UK and Ireland, and we found it easy to install and use.
Sky Go is a free streaming app available to all Sky TV subscribers in the UK and Ireland. As the streaming service is geo-locked to these regions, you can’t watch Sky Go while travelling abroad.
Thankfully, we discovered that you can use a VPN to watch Sky Go from anywhere in the world by connecting to a UK or ROI server. This replaces your foreign IP address with that of a UK or Ireland IP address, making it appear as if you’re actually located there.
The problem is that Sky Go blocks VPNs, so you need to choose one that’s optimized to work with the streaming service. Over months of testing, we could only find 8 VPNs that worked reliably with Sky Go.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Sky Go Outside the UK & Ireland
- Download and install a VPN that works with Sky Go: ExpressVPN performed best in our testing.
- Connect to a VPN server in the UK or Ireland.
- Launch Sky Go.
- Choose the content you want to watch and begin streaming.
Why Trust Us?
We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our ratings are based on our own testing results and are unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.
Why Can’t I Watch Sky Go Abroad?
Sky Go is only available to Sky TV subscribers based in the UK or Ireland. This is intentional as Sky Go was developed for domestic audiences only.
To enforce this, the streaming service is region-locked meaning that you can’t access it outside the UK or Ireland.
That said, it was previously possible to stream Sky Go within the EU due to EU Portability Regulation which requires any online content services in an EU country to be made available in all other member states. Since January 2021, this legislation stopped being longer applicable to Sky Go due to the Brexit vote.
Sky Go displays a bespoke error code if you try to stream abroad.
Thankfully, you can bypass this restriction and watch Sky Go from abroad by using a VPN.
How to Watch Sky Go with a VPN on All Devices
The most effective way to watch Sky Go from anywhere is with a VPN, but the exact process varies by your chosen device.
For example, streaming Sky Go on your laptop is quick to set up whereas using the streaming service on games consoles requires creating a mobile hotspot.
We’ve written step-by-step instructions for watching Sky Go on every compatible device below:
Mobile (iPhone, iPad & Android)
Here’s how to watch Sky Go from abroad on mobile:
- Subscribe to a VPN and install the app on your smartphone: We recommend ExpressVPN due its easy-to-use mobile apps and compatibility with Sky Go.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a server in the UK or Ireland: If your VPN service has streaming-optimized servers then use those instead.
- Clear the Sky Go app’s cache.
- iOS: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Sky Go > Offload App and then reinstall it.
- Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Sky Go > Storage and cache > Clear cache.
- Open Sky Go and begin streaming.
We used Mullvad’s iOS app to stream Sky Go from outside UK and Ireland.
Desktop (Windows & macOS)
Here’s how to stream Sky Go from overseas on your computer:
- Download and install the VPN onto your PC or laptop.
- Launch the VPN app and connect to a server in the UK or Ireland: This assigns you the necessary IP address to unblock Sky Go.
- Open the Sky Go app and start streaming.
It only requires a few steps to stream Sky Go on your desktop.
Apple TV
You can only watch Sky Go on Apple TV if you have a Sky Multiscreen or Whole Home subscription. If you’re unsure which subscription you have, log into MySky and select Your Products.
Follow these steps to stream Sky Go from abroad on Apple TV:
- Download and install the VPN from the tvOS App Store: We suggest using ExpressVPN as it has an excellent Apple TV app and reliably unblocks Sky Go.
- Launch the VPN and connect to a server in the UK or Ireland.
- Open the Sky Go app and start streaming.
We used ExpressVPN to stream Sky Go on Apple TV.
Games Consoles
You can only stream Sky Go on a games consoles if you have a Sky Multiscreen or Whole Home subscription. To verify which Sky plan you have, log into your Sky account and click Your Products.
Furthermore, games consoles don’t support VPN apps, so you’ll need to share your VPN connection from a computer.
Here’s how to watch Sky Go from abroad on Xbox or PlayStation:
- Subscribe to a trustworthy VPN and download its PC app: We suggest ExpressVPN as it’s our best Windows VPN.
- Enable your PC’s mobile hotspot: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot and toggle to On.
- Make a note of your network name and password: If you want to change them, click Edit, make your changes, and click Save.
- Locate your VPN’s TAP adapter: Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change Adapter Options. Right-click on your VPN’s TAP adapter and select Properties.
- Edit your sharing settings: Click the Sharing tab and tick the box that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.”
- Select your hotspot: From the drop-down menu entitled Home networking connection: select Local Area Connection*.
- Using the VPN app, connect to a server in the UK or Ireland: Your hotspot will automatically change to this location.
- Connect your games console to your mobile hotspot network.
- Xbox Series X: Go to Profile & System > Settings > General > Network Settings > Set up Wireless Network > and select your PC’s hotspot.
- PS5: Go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection and select your hotspot.
- Open Sky Go on your games console and begin streaming.
We used a mobile hotspot to watch Sky Go on Xbox.
EXPERT ADVICE: Sky Go doesn’t have apps for Fire TV or Android TV. If you want to watch it on a TV for a long period, we recommend getting an Apple TV, which can be purchased cheaply second-hand.
How to Bypass Sky Go Error Codes
As Sky Go imposes some of the strictest geo-blocks we’ve encountered, meaning we often encountered the ‘For your information’ error messages.
Even usually reliable VPNs, like the ones we recommend, may occasionally get blocked by the streaming service and require some extra steps to get working again.
Below, we explain VPN-specific error codes alongside our thoroughly tested workarounds:
Code: 1315 “Sky isn’t available outside of the UK or ROI”
If you receive error code 1315 then your VPN is either leaking your real IP address or its VPN IPs have been blocked by Sky Go.
Before you begin troubleshooting, we suggest using our VPN leak tool to determine whether your VPN is working. If your VPN is leaking your IP then immediately switch to one our
How to Fix Error Code 1315 on Mobile
- Close the Sky Go app.
- Clear Sky Go’s cache.
- iOS: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Sky Go > Offload App and then reinstall it.
- Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Sky Go > Storage and cache > Clear cache.
- Enable airplane mode on your device.
- Disable airplane mode & connect to WiFi:It’s vital you connect to a WiFi network as Sky Go won’t work on mobile data, including 5G.
- Change your time zone back to GMT or BST/IST.
- iOS: Go to Settings > Calendar > Time Zone OverrideOn.
- Android: Within the Clock app, tap on the kebab menu in the top-right and then Settings > Home time zone and enable Automatic home clock.
- Open Sky Go and begin streaming.
If Sky Go still isn’t working we’d suggest switching to ExpressVPN and connecting to its UK – Docklands server.
How to Fix Error Code 1315 on PC & Mac
- Close the Sky Go app & your VPN.
- Change your computer’s time zone to GMT or BST/IST.
- Windows: Go to Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
- Mac: Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Date & Time > Time Zone and untick ‘Set time zone automatically using current location’. Once you’ve done this, select London or Dublin as your closest city.
- Change your system language.
- Windows: Go to Start > Settings > Time & language > Language > Preferred languages and add English (United Kingdom).
- Mac: Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > General > Language & Region and select English (United Kingdom).
- Reconnect your VPN and open Sky Go: You can now stream Sky Go from abroad.
Code: PFE 9303
This error code indicates that Sky is aware you’re using a VPN service and is blocking your VPN IP address.
We’ve outlined some fixes that work on all devices:
How to Fix Error Code PFE 9303
- Close the Sky Go app on your device.
- Connect to a VPN server in Ireland: We noticed in our testing that Ireland servers were less likely to trigger an error code.
- Re-launch Sky Go and begin streaming.
If your VPN still doesn’t work, then we suggest choosing one of the best-performing Sky Go VPNs instead.
The Best VPNs for Sky Go Analyzed
Out of the 61 VPNs we personally tested with Sky Go, only 20% worked with the service.
From this subset, we discovered that only 8 VPNs can unblock Sky Go on both UK and Ireland servers.
You can use the table below to compare the two best-performing paid VPNs alongside the only free VPN that worked with Sky Go:
To learn how these ratings are calculated, read our VPN testing methodology.
Continue reading for a full analysis of each VPN:
1. ExpressVPN: Best Sky Go VPN Overall
Ranked #1 out of 61 VPNs for Sky Go
ExpressVPN is the only VPN we tested that consistently bypassed Sky Go’s strict geo-blocks for both live and on demand content.
We never encountered any error codes using it, and we found that our video quality remained unaffected.
We were most impressed by ExpressVPN’s dedicated router app which allowed us to stream Sky Go on devices that usually aren’t compatible with VPNs, like games consoles and Smart TVs.
Our only criticism is ExpressVPN’s subscriptions are too expensive, especially when compared to its competitors. Thankfully, its 30-day money-back guarantee means you can get a full refund once you’re done using Sky Go from abroad.
Unblocks Sky Go from Any Location
We used ExpressVPN to stream Sky Go from the US, Austria, Singapore, and Lithuania, and never experienced any issues.
In each instance, the Sky Go app loaded fully and allowed us to stream live content or watch on-demand films and TV series.
We found that ExpressVPN’s UK and Ireland servers were equally effective at unblocking Sky Go, but that our connection was more stable on its UK servers. That said, we didn’t notice any buffering or drops in video quality while using any of ExpressVPN’s servers.
This was much better than our experience with CyberGhost which took several minutes to load an episode of The Penguin or when our stream buffered with Windscribe.
Compatible with All Sky Go Apps
Due to its router app and Smart DNS tool, ExpressVPN works with all Sky Go apps. This includes platforms that don’t support VPN apps like games consoles or Smart TVs.
For example, we used ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS service, MediaStreamer, to watch Sky Go on our Xbox Series X while visiting a friend overseas. Unlike most Smart DNS tools, MediaStreamer is included within the VPN subscription, and it unblocks Sky Go without issue.
ExpressVPN also includes user-friendly apps for desktop, mobile, and Apple TV. While its apps are easy to install, we suggest you set up ExpressVPN on your device before travelling abroad as the country you’re visiting may block VPN downloads.
Fast Download Speeds for HD Streaming
We conducted several speed tests while connected to an ExpressVPN server in the UK and recorded an average speed loss of 7%.
This is more than fast enough to fulfill Sky Go’s minimum broadband requirement of 2Mbps, regardless of where you’re located.
To contextualize this, we’ve compared ExpressVPN’s UK speeds to some of the leading VPNs on the market:
As shown above, ExpressVPN is faster than all of its competitors for connecting into the UK from abroad.
2. Mullvad: Most Affordable Sky Go VPN
Mullvad is a great VPN for watching Sky Go on holiday, as its monthly plan costs just £4.23 with no extra fees. Alternatively, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee to request a refund once you’re back in the UK or Ireland.
Mullvad had one of the highest success rates at unblocking Sky Go in our testing. We found that its London server, in particular, almost always worked.
Though consistent, we were disappointed by the absence of a Smart DNS tool or Apple TV app which limited us to desktop and mobile streaming.
Great for Short-term Streaming
Due to its low price, Mullvad is ideal for when you only need to access Sky Go for a short period of time, such as streaming a specific episode or film.
Its monthly pricing plan is one of the cheapest available at just £4.23, and we discovered that this can be reduced by a further 10% if you sign up using Bitcoin.
For instance, Mullvad is 50% cheaper than both ExpressVPN and NordVPN’s monthly subscriptions.
Unblocks Sky Go on Desktop & Mobile Only
While we had no issues watching Sky Go on Mullvad’s UK and Ireland servers, we found its London and Glasgow server locations to be the most consistent.
However, Mullvad’s limited device compatibility meant we could only use Sky Go on our smartphone and laptop. If you want to stream on Apple TV or a games console, then we advise using ExpressVPN instead.
The Best Free VPN for Sky Go
The vast majority of free VPNs we tested were unable to circumvent Sky Go’s VPN blocks or lacked the necessary servers in the UK or Ireland.
One of the few exceptions was Windscribe’s free tier which worked with Sky Go on its UK server.
1. Windscribe Free: Best Free VPN for Sky Go
Ranked #1 Free VPN for Sky Go
Windscribe Free is the only free VPN service that consistently unblocks Sky Go from anywhere in the world.
It doesn’t need any payment details to start using, and it supports VPN apps for desktop, mobile, and tvOS.
We did notice several drawbacks while testing the product, including a restrictive 10GB data cap and some buffering while streaming.
Streams Sky Go with Some Issues
Aside from TunnelBear, Windscribe Free is the only free VPN that unblocked Sky Go in our testing. While we were able to do this on both of its free UK server locations, we recommend using the ‘London Custard’ server as it supports 10Gbps speeds.
Despite Windscribe’s impressive server infrastructure, it took us over a minute to load any programmes on Sky Go’s TV Guide and even longer for movies. This became tiresome after hours of testing, especially compared to ExpressVPN’s instantaneous loading times.
Similarly, we noticed some buffering when streaming live content on Sky Go with Windscribe Free. This wasn’t too bad on desktop and mobile, but it was distracting on the Sky Go Apple TV app as its video quality is capped at 576p for most titles.
Data Cap Limits Streaming
Windscribe imposes a 10GB data cap on its free plan. Using figures provided by Sky, this means you can only stream 2.5 hours of HD content on Sky Go using Windscribe or just under 7 hours of SD.
To bypass this restriction, we recommend downloading any Sky content you want to watch before travelling as watching downloaded content doesn’t use any data.
If you want to stream live content, or are already abroad, then we suggest using a VPN with unlimited data instead like ExpressVPN.
Popular VPNs That Don’t Work with Sky Go
Based on our experience of using Sky Go while on holiday, as well as hours of extensive testing, we know that it is an especially difficult streaming service to unblock.
Many VPNs, including top-rated services like NordVPN, struggled to access it and some others, such as PIA, were blocked completely.
As such, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular VPNs that don’t work with Sky Go to ensure you’re properly informed before making a purchase and to further contextualize our VPN recommendations:
NordVPN
Reason for exclusion:
- Doesn’t work with Sky Go on its UK servers
- Smart DNS tool only unblocks US streaming services
We couldn’t get Sky Go to work on NordVPN’s UK servers.
Though NordVPN works with Sky Go on its Ireland servers, we were blocked from streaming any live or on-demand content on its UK servers. This disparity left us frustrated and doesn’t match the consistency offered by ExpressVPN.
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Reason for exclusion:
- Doesn’t work with Sky Go on any of its servers
- Broken Smart DNS tool
PIA’s streaming-optimized servers were unable to access Sky Go.
While PIA is an excellent VPN, it struggled to unblock Sky Go on both its UK and Ireland servers. In each instance, we were blocked from watching any content and an error code appeared on our device.
IPVanish
Reason for exclusion:
- Doesn’t work with Sky Go on its UK servers
- No Smart DNS tool
- Some buffering while streaming
Using IPVanish often caused our Sky Go app to display an error code.
We could only get IPVanish to work with Sky Go on its Ireland servers. It has noticeably less Ireland servers than UK ones, so our Sky Go stream regularly buffered from server congestion.
Proton VPN
Reason for exclusion:
- Doesn’t work with Sky Go on mobile
- No Smart DNS tool
- No Apple TV app
- Caused our Sky Go desktop app to lag
Proton VPN caused our Sky Go app to slow down substantially.
We were unable to watch Sky Go on mobile while connected to Proton VPN’s UK and Ireland servers. This was particularly disappointing as we tend to use our iPhone more for streaming when travelling.
Though it did work on desktop, our Sky Go app kept lagging which made it frustrating to do simple tasks like closing the video player.
How We Tested & Chose the Best VPNs for Sky Go
Our VPN recommendations are based on years of personal use as well as a testing methodology created specifically for Sky Go.
Multiple members of our testing team have experienced, first-hand, how difficult it is to access Sky Go from abroad, so our testing criteria focuses mostly on the VPN’s unblocking ability.
That said, we’ve also taken into account how much the VPN affect your download speed, the availability of servers in the UK and Ireland, and the VPN’s device compatibility.
We’ve outlined how we tested each of these factors and how much they contribute to each VPN’s overall Sky Go rating:
1. Unblocks Sky Go (50%)
- Test Conducted: We attempted to log into Sky Go and stream one live and one on-demand title while connected to each VPN’s UK server. This test was repeated a second time while connected to an Ireland server to assess the breadth of the VPN’s unblocking ability.
- Why It’s Important: A VPN needs to be able to bypass Sky Go’s geo-restrictions, otherwise it’s impossible to watch content while abroad.
- Optimal Result: Consistent access to Sky Go on both UK and Ireland servers, regardless of the platform used.
We tried to unblock Sky Go with each VPN and documented any error codes or failed attempts.
2. Speed (25%)
- Test Conducted: We measured the download speed loss while connected to each VPN’s UK server. We repeated this multiple times for each VPN, and at different points of the day, to calculate an average. To ensure a controlled testing environment, we always used the default VPN protocol and tested on a fixed 100Mbps connection.
- Why It’s Important: A fast internet connection ensures your Sky Go stream loads in the highest possible video quality and minimizes any buffering.
- Optimal Result: A download speed loss of less than 10%.
We used our proprietary speed test tool to record each VPN’s UK download speed.
3. UK & Ireland Servers (15%)
- Test Conducted: We inspected each VPN’s in-app server list on mobile and recorded the availability of UK and Ireland servers and whether it included city-level choice. This was then cross-referenced with the VPN’s desktop and tvOS apps to ensure consistency.
- Why It’s Important: A UK or Ireland IP address are necessary for bypassing Sky Go’s geo-restrictions. Moreover, city-level choice provides a great number of IP addresses to cycle through in the event of a blocked connection or laggy stream.
- Optimal Result: Servers in both the UK and Ireland with city-level choice in either country.
We checked for any UK and Ireland server locations.
4. Device Compatibility (10%)
- Test Conducted: We personally installed any available VPN apps to make sure they worked properly. We also checked for a Smart DNS tool and, if available, configured it on an Xbox Series X to make sure it was functional.
- Why It’s Important: As Sky Go is only available on specific platforms, it is essential that a VPN service is compatible with all of them.
- Optimal Result: Easy-to-install VPN apps for desktop, mobile, and tvOS, as well as a Smart DNS tool that works with UK streaming services. Plus, a router app as an alternative to Smart DNS.
We tested each VPN across every platform that supports Sky Go.
Data Cap Penalty
We apply a penalty to the VPN’s final overall rating for Sky Go based on its data cap:
- Unlimited bandwidth: No deduction to the overall rating
- 10GB per month: -20% to the overall rating
- 500MB per day: -25% to the overall rating
- 5GB per month: -30% to the overall rating
- 1GB or 2GB per month: -35% to the overall rating
- 200MB per day: -40% to the overall rating
- 500MB per month: -50% to the overall rating
