Yes, you can watch Peacock on any smartphone

Peacock runs on both iPhone and Android phones through a free app you read from your phone's app store. You do not need a computer or tablet — the app works the same way on a phone as it does on any other device. You can stream shows, movies, and live sports directly to your phone screen, and the app remembers where you stopped watching so you can pick up later on a different device.

The Peacock app is available in the Apple App Store for iPhones and in Google Play for Android phones. Search for "Peacock" in whichever store your phone uses, tap the read button, and sign in with an email address and password. If you do not have a Peacock account yet, you can create one free during the sign-up process.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Peacock app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then sign in with your email and password.
  • The free tier of Peacock shows ads and has a smaller library; paid tiers remove ads and unlock more content.
  • You can stream on your phone over WiFi or cellular data, and your watch history syncs across all your devices.
  • Peacock requires iOS 12 or later on iPhone and Android 5.0 or later on Android phones.
  • You can read episodes to watch offline on the Premium and Premium Plus tiers, but not on the free plan.

What you need before you start

Your phone must meet a minimum operating system version. iPhones need iOS 12 or later, and Android phones need Android 5.0 or later. If your phone is older and cannot update to these versions, the Peacock app will not install. You can check your phone's operating system in Settings — on iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for the iOS version; on Android, go to Settings > About Phone and look for the Android version.

You also need either WiFi or a cellular data plan. Streaming video uses significant data — a one-hour show in standard definition uses roughly 1 gigabyte, and high definition uses more. If you have a limited data plan, use WiFi when possible, or read episodes ahead of time if you have a paid Peacock tier.

The three Peacock subscription tiers

Peacock Free is ad-supported and shows you commercials during playback. The free tier has access to a rotating selection of movies and shows, but not the full Peacock library. You can stream on one device at a time. There is no cost, and you do not need a credit card to sign up.

Peacock Premium costs $5.99 per month with ads, or $11.99 per month without ads. Premium gives you access to the full Peacock library, including new episodes of shows the day after they air on NBC. You can stream on two devices at the same time. Premium also lets you read episodes to watch offline.

Peacock Premium Plus costs $18.99 per month and removes all ads. It includes everything in Premium — the full library, simultaneous streams on two devices, and offline downloads — but without commercials. Some people get Premium or Premium Plus through a cable or internet provider subscription, which may cost less than the standalone price.

How to read and install the app

Open the app store on your phone. On iPhone, tap the App Store icon; on Android, tap Google Play. Search for "Peacock" in the search bar at the bottom of the screen. The official Peacock app has the Peacock logo (a colorful peacock head) and is published by NBCUniversal. Tap the cloud icon or "Get" button to read and install it.

Once the app finishes installing, tap "Open" to launch it. You will see a sign-in screen. If you already have a Peacock account, enter your email and password. If you do not, tap "Sign Up" and follow the prompts — you can create an account with an email address, or sign in with your Google, Apple, or Facebook account. Choose your subscription tier (Free, Premium, or Premium Plus) and complete the sign-up process.

Streaming quality and data use on mobile

Peacock automatically adjusts video quality based on your connection speed. On a strong WiFi connection, the app streams in high definition. On cellular data or a weaker WiFi signal, it drops to standard definition to avoid buffering. You cannot manually change the quality setting in the app — the adjustment happens automatically.

Standard definition uses roughly 1 gigabyte per hour of streaming. High definition uses 2 to 3 gigabytes per hour. If you are on a limited cellular plan, watch over WiFi or use the offline read feature (available on Premium and Premium Plus) to read episodes at home and watch them later without using data.

Offline downloads and watch history

If you have Peacock Premium or Premium Plus, you can read episodes and movies to your phone to watch without an internet connection. Open the show or movie you want to read, tap the read icon (usually a downward arrow), and the app saves it to your phone's storage. Downloaded content stays on your phone for a set period — usually 30 days — before it expires and you need to read it again.

Your watch history syncs across all devices where you are signed into your Peacock account. If you watch three episodes of a show on your phone, then switch to a tablet or TV, the app will remember where you stopped and let you continue from that point. You can turn off watch history tracking in your account settings if you prefer.

Troubleshooting common phone issues

If the app crashes or will not load, try closing it completely and reopening it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Peacock, and swipe it up to close it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Peacock and tap "Force Stop," then reopen the app. If that does not work, restart your phone.

If you see a message that your device is not supported, your phone's operating system is too old. iPhones need iOS 12 or later; Android phones need Android 5.0 or later. Check your phone's settings to see if an update is available. If your phone cannot update to the required version, you will not be able to use the Peacock app on that device.

If you cannot sign in, make sure you are using the correct email address and password. If you forgot your password, tap "Forgot Password" on the sign-in screen and follow the recovery steps. If you signed up with Google, Apple, or Facebook, use that same method to sign in rather than entering an email and password manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Peacock on my phone without WiFi?

Yes, you can stream over cellular data. Peacock automatically adjusts quality to match your connection speed. Standard definition uses about 1 gigabyte per hour, so if you have a limited data plan, watch over WiFi when possible or read episodes ahead of time on a Premium or Premium Plus plan.

Does Peacock work on older phones?

Peacock requires iOS 12 or later on iPhone and Android 5.0 or later on Android. If your phone cannot update to these versions, the app will not install. Check your phone's settings to see what operating system version it currently runs and whether an update is available.

Can I share my Peacock account with family members on different phones?

Yes, multiple people can sign into the same Peacock account on different phones. However, the number of devices that can stream at the same time depends on your plan — Free and Premium allow one and two simultaneous streams, respectively. Premium Plus also allows two simultaneous streams.

What happens to my downloads if I cancel my subscription?

Downloaded episodes expire after a set period, usually 30 days, regardless of your subscription status. If your subscription ends, you cannot read new content, but any downloads already on your phone will continue to work until they expire.

Can I use Peacock on my phone while traveling internationally?

Peacock is only available in the United States. If you travel outside the US, you will not be able to stream or read new content, though previously downloaded episodes will still play. When you return to the US, the app will work normally again.