How do I download programmes on a mobile or tablet?

You need the Â鶹ԼÅÄ iPlayer app to download programmes. Find out if the Â鶹ԼÅÄ iPlayer app is available on your device in the following page: Can I use Â鶹ԼÅÄ iPlayer on my mobile or tablet?Ìý

  1. Find the episode you want to download.Ìý
  2. Tap 'Download'Ìýunderneath the programme description.*Ìý
  3. Tap on 'Downloads'Ìýalong the bottom menuÌýto access and see the progress of your downloads

Three images from the iPlayer mobile app. The first shows a programme with the download option highlighted. The second shows the download menu with the downloading show progress highlighted. The third shows the download in progress with the progress/cancel button highloghted

*Not all programmes are available to download. If you're unable to select the 'Download' button, it means that programme or episode can't be downloaded. For more information on why this could be, have a look here: Why aren't all programmes available to download?

To delete a download, use the 'edit' button (pencil icon) at the top of the screen, or simply swipe left on the download you would like to remove. If you'd like to remove all downloads in a series, you can delete multiple episodes on the main DownloadsÌýmenu.

To delete individual episodes from a series, tap on the series and either tap the pencil icon and select the individual episodes you'd like to delete, or swipe left on the episodeÌýthen tap on the bin icon.

Three images from the iPlayer app. The first shows the download menu with the bin icon highlighted. The second shows the bin icon when the programme is swiped to delete. The third shows the deletion confirmation screen.

Downloads stuck in the queue?

Check your internet connection. If you're trying to download via mobile data, go to Settings (cog icon on the top right of the homepage) and make sure the 'Download over mobile networks' toggle is switched on.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I download over my mobile network?Ìý
    Yes, you can. Tap 'Settings'ÌýandÌýthen make sure 'Download over mobile networks' is switched on. If you can't see this option, make sure the app is up to date.Ìý
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  • Can I download a whole series at once?
    No, episodes of a programme can be downloaded individually.
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  • Can I download programmes when I'm outside the UK?
    No, but if you download programmes in the UK before you leave, they should play when you're overseas. Please note that if the app updates itself after you've downloaded programmes, you need to open the app before you leave the UK, otherwise downloads may not play for you when you're away.Ìý
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  • Can I change what order my programmes download in?Ìý
    Programmes will download one at a time in the order they're added to the queue. If you're using iOS, you can change the order of your downloads in the queue by selecting the Edit option and dragging the programmes into your preferred order. Tap Done to save your changes.Ìý
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  • How long will it take to download a programme?Ìý
    Download time depends on the speed of the connection and the size of the programme. As a very rough guide, it shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes to download a 30-minute programme.Ìý
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  • Can I change the video quality of my downloads?Ìý
    Yes, you can choose to download programmes in Standard Quality or Higher Quality. Standard Quality programmes are produced at 800kbps and Higher Quality programmes are produced at 1500kbps.Ìý

    To toggle between Standard Quality and Higher Quality for downloads, tap Settings andÌýthen toggle the Higher Quality Downloads option. This setting will only apply to new programmes that you add to the queue.