You add Peacock through the Apple TV app itself, not through your Apple TV subscription

Peacock is a separate streaming service from Apple TV+. If you have an Apple TV subscription, that does not include Peacock — you need to add it as its own channel within the Apple TV app. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you are on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device.

The key difference: Apple TV+ is Apple's own streaming service. Peacock is NBC's streaming service. Apple TV is also the name of the app that bundles many streaming services together in one place. You can subscribe to Peacock through that app and watch it there alongside your other subscriptions.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock is a separate service from Apple TV+ and costs either $5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 per month without ads.
  • You add Peacock by opening the Apple TV app, searching for Peacock, and selecting "Get" or "Subscribe" on the Peacock channel page.
  • Your Apple ID and payment method on file will be used to charge you for Peacock each month.
  • Once you subscribe, Peacock appears as a channel in your Apple TV app and you can watch it on any device where you are signed into that Apple ID.

Step-by-step: Adding Peacock in the Apple TV app

Open the Apple TV app on whichever device you use most — iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV box. At the bottom of the screen, tap or click the Search icon (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type "Peacock" into the search box.

When the Peacock channel appears in the results, tap or click on it to open the channel page. You will see a button that says "Get" or "Subscribe" — the exact wording depends on your device and which version of Peacock is available in your region. Tap or click that button. You will be asked to confirm your Apple ID and payment method. Complete that step, and Peacock is now added to your Apple TV app.

The subscription will appear on your next Apple bill under the Subscriptions section. You can cancel anytime by going back to the Peacock channel page and selecting "Manage Subscription" or by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on your Apple device.

What to expect after you subscribe

Peacock will now show up in your Apple TV app library and in the Channels section. You can watch it on any Apple device where you are signed into the same Apple ID — your phone, tablet, computer, or Apple TV box. Your watch history and saved shows sync across all those devices.

You will be charged monthly on the same day each month. If you chose the ad-supported plan at $5.99 per month, you will see ads during shows and movies. If you chose the ad-free plan at $11.99 per month, you will not. You can change between these plans anytime through your subscription settings.

If you already have Peacock through another account

If you already subscribe to Peacock through Peacock's own app or website, you do not need to add it again through Apple TV. Instead, you can link your existing Peacock account to the Apple TV app. Open Apple TV, search for Peacock, and select "Sign In" instead of "Get." Enter your Peacock username and password, and your existing subscription will appear in the Apple TV app.

This is useful if you want to watch Peacock from the Apple TV app without switching between apps. Your existing Peacock subscription continues to work exactly as before — you are just viewing it through a different interface.

Peacock pricing and what is included

Peacock offers two paid tiers. The ad-supported plan costs $5.99 per month and includes most of Peacock's content library. The ad-free plan costs $11.99 per month and removes ads from most shows and movies (some content still has ads due to licensing restrictions). Both plans include access to live sports, NBC shows, movies, and Peacock originals.

Some content on Peacock is free to watch with ads, even without a paid subscription. If you want to test whether Peacock has shows you actually want to watch, you can read the Peacock app separately and browse the free tier first. Then decide whether to pay for one of the subscription plans.

Troubleshooting: Why you might not see Peacock in Apple TV

If you search for Peacock in the Apple TV app and nothing comes up, check that you are signed into your Apple ID. Go to Settings > [Your Name] and make sure you are logged in. Peacock is available in the United States, but availability varies by region — if you are outside the US or using a VPN, Peacock may not appear.

If you are signed in and in the US but still do not see Peacock, try closing the Apple TV app completely and opening it again. On an Apple TV box, you may need to restart the device. On a phone or tablet, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or use the app switcher) to close Apple TV, then tap the app icon to reopen it.

Managing your Peacock subscription

To change your Peacock plan from ad-supported to ad-free (or vice versa), open the Apple TV app, find the Peacock channel, and tap or click "Manage Subscription." You will see options to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel. Changes take effect when ready for upgrades or at the end of your current billing cycle for downgrades.

To cancel Peacock entirely, go to the same Manage Subscription page and select "Cancel Subscription." You will lose access to Peacock at the end of your current billing period. If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you can add it again using the same steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Apple TV+ subscription include Peacock?

No. Apple TV+ and Peacock are completely separate services. Apple TV+ is Apple's streaming service. Peacock is NBC's streaming service. You need to pay for each one separately, even though you can watch both through the Apple TV app.

Can I watch Peacock on my Apple TV box?

Yes. Open the Apple TV app on your Apple TV device, search for Peacock, and subscribe the same way you would on a phone or tablet. Once you subscribe, Peacock appears as a channel you can access anytime.

Will I be charged when ready after I subscribe?

Yes. Your first charge appears on your Apple bill right away. After that, you are charged on the same day each month. You can cancel anytime to stop future charges.

Can I share my Peacock subscription with family members?

If you subscribe through Apple TV using your Apple ID, anyone signed into your Apple ID on a shared device can watch Peacock. For a more formal family sharing setup, check Peacock's own website for their household sharing options, which may differ from Apple's family sharing.

What if I want to cancel Peacock but keep Apple TV+?

You can cancel Peacock without affecting Apple TV+. They are separate subscriptions. Go to the Peacock channel in Apple TV, select Manage Subscription, and choose Cancel. Your Apple TV+ subscription continues unchanged.