Peacock's download feature works on phones and tablets, but not computers
Peacock lets you download TV shows and movies to your phone or tablet so you can watch them without an internet connection. The feature is built into the Peacock app itself — you do not need a separate tool. However, downloads only work on iOS and Android devices. If you use a computer or web browser, you cannot download shows; you can only stream them online.
The shows you can download depend on your subscription tier. Peacock Premium (the paid plan) and Peacock Premium Plus both allow downloads. The free tier does not. Downloaded content stays on your device for a set amount of time — usually 30 days — before it expires and must be downloaded again if you want to watch it.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus subscription to download shows; the free tier does not support downloads.
- Downloads work only on the Peacock app for iPhone, iPad, and Android phones — not on computers or web browsers.
- To download a show, open the Peacock app, find the title, tap the download icon, and select which episodes or the entire season you want.
- Downloaded shows expire after 30 days and must be downloaded again if you want to keep watching them after that period ends.
- Downloaded content uses storage space on your device, so check how much free space you have before downloading full seasons.
Step-by-step: downloading a show on your phone or tablet
Open the Peacock app and search for or browse to the show you want to download. Once you find it, tap the title to open the show's page. Look for the download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. Tap that icon.
A menu will appear asking what you want to download. If it is a series, you can choose to download the entire season, specific episodes, or just the next episode. Select what you want and tap confirm. The download will begin immediately and run in the background. You can close the app or use your phone for other things while it downloads.
To check on your downloads or watch them later, go to the "Downloads" section in the Peacock app menu. Your downloaded shows appear there, organized by title. Tap any show to start watching. You do not need an internet connection once the download is complete.
What happens when your download expires
Peacock's licensing agreements with studios require that downloaded content expire after 30 days. When that time is up, the show or movie disappears from your Downloads folder automatically. You cannot extend the expiration date or prevent it from happening.
If you want to watch the show again after it expires, you download it a second time. This is why downloads work best for shows you plan to watch soon — on a plane, during a commute, or on a trip — rather than for long-term storage. If you want permanent access to a show, you would need to purchase it through a service like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, or Google Play instead.
How much storage space downloads use
A single episode of a TV show typically uses between 500 MB and 2 GB of storage, depending on the show's length and video quality. A full season can easily use 10 to 20 GB or more. Before you download a full season, check how much free space your phone or tablet has. Go to Settings, then Storage (on Android) or iPhone Storage (on iOS), to see what is available.
If your device is running low on space, you can delete downloaded shows from the Downloads section to free up room. Swipe left on the title (iPhone) or long-press it (Android) and select delete. The show will be removed from your device, but you can always download it again later if you have a subscription.
Downloading on different devices and accounts
You can download shows to multiple devices using the same Peacock account. If you have an iPhone and an iPad, for example, you can download the same show to both. However, Peacock limits how many devices can stream at the same time — Premium allows two simultaneous streams, and Premium Plus allows four. Downloads do not count toward this limit.
If you share your Peacock account with family members, each person can download shows to their own device. However, all downloads use the same account's subscription, so if someone cancels the subscription, all downloads from that account will stop working across all devices.
Troubleshooting downloads that fail or get stuck
If a download stalls or fails, first check your internet connection. Downloads need a stable connection to start, though they can continue in the background once they begin. If your connection drops during a download, it may pause. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and tap the download again to resume.
If a show will not download at all, make sure you have a Premium or Premium Plus subscription — the free tier does not support downloads. Also check that you have enough free storage space on your device. If you have tried both and the download still fails, try closing the Peacock app completely and opening it again. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download shows on my computer or laptop?
No. Peacock downloads only work on the mobile app for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. On a computer or web browser, you can only stream shows online. If you need offline viewing on a computer, you would need to purchase the show through another service.
What happens if my subscription expires while I have downloaded shows?
Downloaded shows will stop playing once your subscription ends. You will not be able to watch them until you renew your subscription. The files remain on your device, but they are locked and unusable without an active Premium or Premium Plus plan.
Can I download the same show to multiple phones?
Yes. You can download the same show to as many devices as you own, as long as you are signed into the same Peacock account on each device. Each download uses storage space on that individual device, so a full season on your phone and your tablet would use storage on both.
Do downloaded shows count toward my streaming limit?
No. Peacock's simultaneous streaming limits (two for Premium, four for Premium Plus) only apply to shows you are actively streaming online. Downloaded shows do not count toward this limit, so you can watch a download on one device while someone else streams online on another device.
Can I transfer downloaded shows to another device or person?
No. Downloaded shows are tied to your device and your Peacock account. You cannot move them to another phone, tablet, or person's device. If someone else wants to watch the show, they need to download it to their own device using their own account or a shared account.