Note: The issues captured in this article only apply to our first generation product. To learn about our new product, Circle Parental Controls and Circle Home Plus, or to purchase visit our main website -- meetcircle.com.
Learn about differences between Circle 1st Generation and our new product in this article.
Circle Go iOS and Service Availability
Because Circle Go on iOS works by connecting your device to a virtual private network in order to extend Circle's features, there are a few services that may be unavailable or partially disrupted while Circle Go is enabled on your mobile device. Most websites and Internet services will be unaffected, but some sites and services actively block these types of connections and will not be available while Circle Go is operating.
Note: Because of how Circle Go for Android works the below issues likely do not apply.
Here is a list of known platforms and locations where Circle Go will very likely run into problems.
Platforms
Currently, the following platforms are unavailable while Circle Go is enabled:
- Netflix (https://www.netflix.com)
- Hulu (https://www.hulu.com)
- Ticketmaster (https://ticketmaster.com)
- Pokémon Go (https://pokemongo.com)
- NBA Live / Madden Mobile
- Apple Music and App Store
Additionally, the following platforms may exhibit partial unavailability or inconsistent performance:
- iMessage
We recommend that you enable "Send as SMS" in your iOS settings as a fallback. Go to Settings >> Messages to enable this feature and ensure that your Messages are sent. - Snapchat
The sending/receiving functions of the app should work properly, but some parts of the app (adding friends, login/logout, create an account) may not work properly. - Instagram
Many report very inconsistent performance from Instagram, primarily around account-related features and feed refreshing.
Locations
Any private or public Wi-Fi network that actively blocks Virtual Private Network connections will also be unavailable while Circle Go is enabled, which includes many schools. Circle Go enabled devices will be unable to use these Wi-Fi networks and will have to use their 4G LTE connection for Internet access. Circle Go will still be enabled on that connection. If your family member's device does not work on a school network we can help their IT administrators work to enable Circle Go. Please contact our support team using the links below.
NOTE: Even if a Virtual Private Network connection is blocked by a Wi-Fi provider, Circle Go does not block voice or video calling through the iOS Phone app or FaceTime, and SMS text messaging through the iOS Messages app will also be available. Both of these should still be usable if there is a cellular connection.
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