You can watch DSTV Stream on your iOS devices like the iPhone or the iPad. With your iPhone running iOS 13.0 and above or any iPad model loaded with iPadOS 13.0 or higher, you can watch DSTV channels on your iOS device live and on-demand. All you need to do is download and install the DSTV Stream App on your iPhone of iPad. You also need to be an active DSTV subscriber.
Many years ago, when the service was called DSTV Mobile, you required another device called an iDrifta to watch DSTV on your iPhone or iPad. However, these days with the DSTV Stream App installed on your iPhone like iPhone 15 or your iPad like iPad Pro and a valid subscription of DSTV, you can watch DSTV on your iOS device.
How to Watch DSTV on an iPhone or iPad
- Download the DSTV Stream app at the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- Open the App and login. You will be required to signup for a DSTV Connect ID that connects your DSTV Stream to your Decoder.
- Search for the TV shows you want to watch. You go to the Live TV section to see programmes airing now on DSTV. Catch Up enables you watch episodes of your favorite shows that you may have missed. You can also visit the TV Guide to see upcoming shows and set reminders on shows you may want to watch
- When you see a TV show you want to watch, click or tap on it to get to the details page where you can either stream or download the show
History of DSTV Mobile
The first generation of the DSTV Mobile service used DVB-H technology. This meant that only mobile phones with a built-in DVB-H receiver could support the service natively.
iPhones and iPads like most smartphones and tablets did not come with DVB-H receivers built-in. This meant that users who wanted to watch DSTV on their mobile devices like iPhone and iPad were required to buy an additional accessory to enable DSTV Mobile on their iOS device. Two options were available for connecting your iPad or iPhone to DSTV Mobile.
The first was the iDrita, which receives the DVB-H signal and pipes it to your iOS device via Apple’s standard 30-pin connector. For iOS devices like the iPhone 6, iPad Mini 3, and iPad Air 2 that featured the Lightning connector, you will also need to buy an Apple 30-pin to lightning adaptor.
The second device, which was preferable due to its versatility is the Drifta Wi-Fi, which is similar to the iDrifta, except that it broadcasts the DSTV Mobile signal to your iPhone or iPad over Wi-Fi. The Drifta was also preferable because its use is not restricted to iOS devices. The Drifta can be used with most laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
After choosing a DVB-H accessory, you will also need to download the app for the Drifta or iDrifta from the App Store. Once this app is downloaded and installed on your iPad of iPhone, you can relax and enjoy up to 16 DSTV channels on your device if you are located in a DSTV Mobile coverage area.
You can also consider iPhone 14 with DSTV Stream.
In the past access to DSTV Mobile was also restricted to certain locations. To enjoy DSTV on your iPhone or iPad, you have to be located in a DSTV Mobile coverage area. DSTV Mobile was only available in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Enugu, Onitsha, Asaba, Aba, Ibadan, and Benin. Coverage may not be brilliant in some locations in the cities listed above.
DSTV Mobile offered up to 16 DSTV channels. Channels available include news (like CNN), documentary (like NatGeo Wild), sports (SuperSport3), music (Sound City), movies (like MNET Series, Africa Magic), kids (Disney Junior), and more.
Two channels are free (NTA and AIT), but DSTV offers 3 months free DSTV Mobile subscription, if you buy a Drifta Wi-Fi or an iDrifta from any of their authorised outlets in Nigeria.
You can also consider iPhone 13 with DSTV Stream.
In contrast, the successor, the DSTV Stream is available from anywhere where internet access in available. You can also access all the channels available on your current DSTV package.
Watch DSTV Free on iPhone and iPad
DSTV currently offer DSTV Stream free to all active DSTV subscribers. All active DSTV subscribers can access DSTV Stream. Just download and install the app and then sign in and you can watch all channels available on your DSTV package free.
To enjoy DSTV free on your iPhone and/or iPad or any other mobile device, you have to link your iOS device to your DSTV TV subscription account. You can connect up to five devices to DSTV Stream though you can only watch on one device at atime.
