Not everyone who wants Swisscom's channels wants Swisscom's contract. The blue TV app is the way to try the service on the devices you already own. This post sets out what Swisscom states about the app and blue TV Air (state: October 2026), what it needs and where the app stops.
01
blue TV app and blue TV Air: what Swisscom offers
Swisscom describes blue TV Air and the blue TV app as live TV on the devices you already carry: a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop. The number it gives is over 250+ channels, either at no charge or with catch-up, and no Swisscom internet connection is needed. Its sport page lists blue TV Air Free as the minimum requirement for adding the sport package, so the free tier is also the entrance to the paid add-ons.
02
What the app lacks on a TV
For the TV in the living room, Swisscom points to its TV-Box. The app does run on most smart TVs and on Apple TV 4K, yet on those devices you do without subtitles, teletext, HbbTV, radio and the UHD content of blue+. If you rely on subtitles or the red-button services, the box is the better choice; see do you need a TV box.
03
The minimum system for each device
Swisscom states these requirements for blue TV on a laptop and on a phone:
| Device | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Laptop | Over 4 GB of RAM available, Windows 10 or macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later, and a current Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge |
| Phone or tablet | iOS 14 or Android 8 as a minimum |
| Connection | At least 0.5 Mbit/s, and 5 Mbit/s for the best picture |
| Apple TV | Models from 2015 onward; with your Swisscom login you order an additional stream |
04
Using the app next to a Swisscom subscription
If you already have a subscription, the app is how a second room or a phone is added. Swisscom allows up to 5 TV-Boxes per household and sells Multiroom Max for blue TV on additional TVs, and the plan table shows 3 or 5 mobile devices depending on the plan; see Swisscom blue TV explained and a second TV in Switzerland.
05
When the app is enough, and when it is not
A short test:
- Enough: live news, series and sport on a phone, tablet or laptop, or on a smart TV where you do not need radio or subtitles
- Not enough: UHD, teletext or HbbTV, subtitles on the TV, or a TV that is far from the router and needs a cable
- Check the speed first, see internet speed for TV streaming
- Compare with Zattoo's free tier, which also needs no operator, in Zattoo Free, Premium or Ultimate
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch Swisscom blue TV without a Swisscom subscription?
Yes, through blue TV Air and the blue TV app: over 250 live channels on mobile devices and laptops, with no Swisscom internet connection required.
Is blue TV Air free?
Swisscom lists blue TV Air Free as free of charge, and the blue TV app as free or with catch-up. Check the plan page for what each includes.
Does the blue TV app work on my smart TV?
On most smart TVs and on Apple TV 4K, minus subtitles, teletext, HbbTV, radio and the UHD content of blue+.
What do I need on a laptop?
Over 4 GB of RAM available, Windows 10 or macOS 11 or later, a current browser and a line of at least 0.5 Mbit/s, with 5 Mbit/s for the best picture.
Sources
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