Starlink Is Replacing OG ‘Dishy McFlatface’ Dishes for Free

If you were one of the first people to get Starlink and you’re still using the original round dish, SpaceX wants to give you a new one for free. According to a new Starlink support page, “eligible customers who were among the first to connect with Starlink, and who are still using a first-generation kit can receive a new Standard kit at no cost.”

You’ll get an invitation by email if you qualify.

Goodbye, Dishy McFlatface

The round first-gen dish, nicknamed “Dishy McFlatface,” shipped to Starlink’s earliest customers starting in 2020. SpaceX replaced it with a smaller rectangular dish in late 2021 and has released several newer designs since then.

Eligible owners will get a Standard 4X kit, which consists of Starlink’s V4 dish, a built-in kickstand, a Router 3, a power supply, and cables. Starlink will also provide a free mount and lets customers opt in for free installation.

Not a Tesla App

There’s a catch, though. Your old dish will be deactivated once the new one comes online, or 14 days after delivery, whichever comes first. After that, it won’t work and can’t be transferred to anyone else. You don’t need to send it back.

Making the Switch

The swap is pretty simple. Starlink says to stow the old dish in the app, unplug everything, and take it off its mount. You can’t reuse the old cable, router, or mount, since the round dish’s mast doesn’t fit the rectangular V4.

Not a Tesla App

One big difference is that the V4 dish doesn’t aim itself like the old motorized dish did. Instead, you point it at the sky yourself using the Starlink app, which walks you through an obstruction check, alignment, and Wi-Fi setup. Only one kit can be plugged in at a time.

Not the Newest Dish

The Standard 4X kit isn’t Starlink’s latest hardware. SpaceX recently unveiled the V5 dish, which is about half the size of the V4, uses about 50% less power, and supports speeds of 375+ Mbps. The Starlink Mini V2 with a built-in battery has also entered production. Still, going from a 2020-era dish to the V4 should mean better speeds and lower power use for most early users, and the move lets Starlink clear out V4 inventory as it transitions to the V5 dish.

Not a Tesla App

SpaceX hasn’t said whether it plans to drop support for the original dishes altogether. With this offer, though, it looks like the round dish is on its way out.