How to Watch BBC iPlayer on Your Phone in the UK

BBC iPlayer puts live TV and thousands of programmes on your phone, from drama and documentaries to the news and live sport. The app is free to install, and once it is set up you can watch at home, download shows for the train, or cast everything to your TV. Here is how to get it working, step by step.

What you need before you start

You need three things: a phone running a recent version of iOS or Android, a free BBC account, and a TV Licence. The licence is the part people forget. In the UK you legally need a TV Licence to watch or download BBC programmes on iPlayer, and to watch live TV on any channel or service. It applies to phones exactly as it does to a television set.

A Wi-Fi connection helps too. Streaming uses a fair amount of mobile data, and downloads are large, so it is best to set everything up at home on Wi-Fi first. If you plan to watch on the move, download programmes in advance rather than streaming them over mobile data.

Step 1: Install the BBC iPlayer app

Open the App Store on an iPhone or Google Play on an Android phone and search for BBC iPlayer. Tap install and wait for the download to finish. The app is free, and you do not pay anything inside it.

Check that you have the official app, published by the BBC. Unofficial apps with similar names exist, and they will not give you proper access to iPlayer. If the app will not install, check that your phone software is up to date, since older versions of iOS and Android are not always supported.

Step 2: Sign in with your BBC account

Open the app and tap Sign In. If you already have a BBC account, enter your email address and password. If you do not have one, tap Register and create an account with your email address, a password and your date of birth. A BBC account is free and it also works across other BBC services, such as BBC Sounds.

If you have signed in before, the app may remember you, but it will sometimes ask you to sign in again after an update or if you have not used it for a while. For children under 13, a parent or guardian needs to set up the account. Keep your password somewhere safe, because you will need it again if you switch phones.

Step 3: Find and watch programmes

The home screen shows featured programmes, live channels and categories such as drama, comedy, documentaries and sport. You can browse by category, search by programme name, or tap the Channels tab to watch BBC One, BBC Two and the other channels live.

Tap any programme to see its episodes. Tap Play to start streaming. If the picture looks soft or keeps pausing, tap the settings icon during playback and lower the video quality, or move closer to your Wi-Fi router. Most programmes include subtitles and audio description, which you can switch on from the playback screen.

Step 4: Download shows to watch offline

Downloads are the most useful feature for commuting or travelling. Find a programme, tap the Download button, and the episode will save to your phone. You can find it later under the Downloads tab, and it will play without any internet connection.

In most recent versions, downloads expire 30 days after you save them, and once you start watching you usually have 48 hours to finish. Not every programme can be downloaded, because of rights restrictions, but most drama, comedy and documentaries can be. Always download over Wi-Fi before you leave home, and delete finished episodes to free up space.

Step 5: Cast iPlayer to your TV

If you would rather watch on a bigger screen, iPlayer supports Chromecast on both iPhone and Android, and AirPlay on iPhone. Make sure your phone and your TV or streaming stick are on the same Wi-Fi network, then tap the cast icon during playback and pick your TV.

Some smart TVs also have a built-in iPlayer app, which works the same way. You can sign in with your BBC account on the TV itself and skip the phone altogether, though the phone app is handy for browsing and queuing programmes from the sofa.

Fixing common problems

If a programme will not play, first check your internet connection and try another app to confirm you are online. Then force-close iPlayer and reopen it. If the problem continues, check for an app update in the store, and restart your phone.

If downloads keep failing, check your storage. Downloads need free space, and a phone that is nearly full will stop partway through. Delete old downloads and unused apps, then try again. If sign-in fails, reset your BBC account password from the BBC website rather than guessing repeatedly, because too many wrong attempts can lock the account.

If the app says a programme is not available, it may have expired from iPlayer. Most programmes stay for a set period after broadcast, often 30 days or longer, but some leave sooner. Searching for the programme name will show whether another episode or series is still there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a TV Licence to watch iPlayer on my phone?

Yes. In the UK you need a TV Licence to watch or download BBC programmes on iPlayer, including on a phone, and to watch live TV on any service. The rule applies to the household, not to each device.

Can I watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK?

No, iPlayer is only available in the UK. If you try to use it abroad you will usually see a message saying it is not available in your location. Some BBC programmes are available internationally through other services, but iPlayer itself is UK only.

Why can't I download a programme?

Some programmes cannot be downloaded because of rights restrictions, and live channels cannot be downloaded at all. If the download button is missing, that is usually the reason. Storage can also be the cause, so check that your phone has enough free space.