Slingbox Shutdown: Devices to Stop Working in 2026

Prior to the widespread availability of streaming apps from major television networks, accessing live television on mobile devices presented a significant challenge.

One of the earliest and most straightforward solutions was the Slingbox. This device was connected between your cable receiver and your television, then linked to your network, effectively allowing you to stream live TV from your home television to any location. It even allowed remote control functionality, utilizing a network of infrared transmitters within your entertainment area to replicate the actions of your physical remote.

This technology appeared revolutionary in the mid-2000s. However, by 2020, its practicality has diminished. Consequently, the manufacturer of the Slingbox has declared that all Slingbox products are being phased out, with a complete service termination scheduled within the next two years.

According to the company’s announcement FAQ:

For those wishing to continue utilizing their Slingbox until the servers are deactivated, the situation is somewhat complex.

The company states that, at present, they will maintain the SlingPlayer application for iPhones, iPads, legacy macOS versions, Windows, and Amazon Fire TV devices – however, no further updates are planned, and even these applications may cease to function without warning. The Android application remains available at no cost, while the paid version has been removed, along with support for Roku and Windows Phone (which is no longer supported).

The eventual outcome has been foreseeable for some time. Slingbox was purchased by EchoStar in 2007 for $380 million; by 2017, new hardware production had ceased, with efforts shifting towards integrating the technology into Dish Network set-top boxes. Indeed, the company has not posted on Twitter for almost two years. If your Slingbox is currently operational, you have less than two years to explore alternative solutions.