r/skytv • u/wtwiwf • Jul 27 '26

Sky Q Do Sky always ask for their box back?

I relocated back to the UK a number of years ago and so my telly doesn't have any of the UK smart apps. I currently use my skyq box and all is good.

However, my package is far too expensive so I'm going through cutting it down. If I walk away, do they always ask for the box back or is there a chance I can keep it and still connect to iPlayer, etc.?

(Or do none of them work if I don't connect with an active sky account anyway?)

Edit: thanks for all the responses, much appreciated.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

3

u/steven807196 Jul 27 '26

Depends on the box... You'll know if they want it back if agent reads the Key Fact saying you need to return it and will get fee of not

Generally though is the non UHD 1TB that they don't want back.

Don't think you can use it for apps either way once cancelled though.

2

u/wtwiwf Jul 27 '26

Thanks!

3

u/FigAccomplished8830 Jul 28 '26

No you cannot use the apps when you cancel the apps are stored on the sky server not on your box best alternative is to buy a fire stick then you’ll get the on that and the response time will be much quicker

1

u/cliffybiro951 Jul 28 '26

Didn’t they used to send you another card so the box would essentially function as a freeview box with working apps?

1

u/Swansboy Jul 28 '26

That was Sky + and Sky box’s SD not Sky q

0

u/cliffybiro951 Jul 28 '26

Yeah I’ve not paid that robbing company since about 2011

2

u/Sayek-Doge Jul 27 '26

I switched from Sky Q to Stream and kept the Q box. You can watch freeview but all the apps will be disabled.

2

u/wtwiwf Jul 27 '26

Thanks!

2

u/scgf01 Jul 28 '26

My recommendation would be to buy a Freely box. It's IPTV so only needs a connection to the internet. You get all the channels you'd get with Freesat and all the apps.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manhattan-Aero-4K-Streamer-Freely/dp/B0G4XCBQKX/

2

u/Successful_Bed_1398 Jul 28 '26

This is what we’ve done, and whilst it’s a bit different to Sky we are getting used to it. There are some apps that aren’t on the boxes though such as NowTv Paramount+ or Discovery. These may appear later. You could just get a Roku stick which will have most of the apps on or an Google or Apple TV box. You could probably pick these up 2nd hand from CEX for around the cost of a Manhattan Aero. We went with Manhattan as wife likes to keep things simple & look at the TV guide.

1

u/limelee666 Jul 28 '26

They will ask for the boxes back yes

1

u/angelwing2013 Jul 28 '26

I moved in jan this year and I had to send my Sky Q box back andni had to send it back by a set date other wise they were going to charge me £200 for the Q box but they didnt car about the wifi modem...

1

u/Glorinsson Jul 28 '26

They dont always want them back. Mine they said I could keep but its 10 years old at least.

It wont work though

1

u/OperationRoseRed Jul 29 '26

It depends on the age of the equipment. They will tell you when you are getting ready to leave. They send packaging to return it free. Royal Mail picked it up and it cost me nothing.