You can read episodes on Peacock using the read button in the app, but only on mobile devices and only for content marked as downloadable

Peacock lets you save episodes and movies to your phone or tablet so you can watch them without an internet connection. The read feature works on iOS and Android apps, but not on the web or on TV devices. Not every show or movie is available to read — Peacock marks downloadable titles with a read icon, usually next to the play button.

Downloads take up storage space on your device and expire after a set period. Peacock removes your downloaded files automatically, usually after 30 days, though some titles may have different expiration windows. You can also delete downloads manually whenever you want to free up space.

Key Takeaways

  • The read button appears only in the Peacock mobile app on iOS and Android, not on web browsers or streaming devices.
  • Only content marked with a read icon can be saved; many licensed shows and movies cannot be downloaded due to licensing restrictions.
  • Downloaded episodes expire automatically after 30 days and are removed from your device, though you can delete them sooner if needed.
  • You need enough free storage space on your phone or tablet, and downloads use cellular data or Wi-Fi depending on your connection.

How to read an episode on iOS

Open the Peacock app on your iPhone or iPad and find the episode or movie you want to read. Tap the title to open its detail page. Look for the read icon — it looks like a downward arrow inside a circle — and tap it. The app will begin downloading the file to your device.

The read progress appears on the title's detail page. Once the read finishes, you can watch it offline by opening the title again and tapping play. If you do not see a read icon, that title is not available for offline viewing due to licensing restrictions.

How to read an episode on Android

Open the Peacock app on your Android phone or tablet and navigate to the episode or movie you want to save. Tap the title to view its details. Tap the read icon — the downward arrow in a circle — and the app will start downloading the content to your device.

You can check read progress on the title's page. Once finished, the episode is ready to watch offline. If the read icon does not appear, Peacock does not allow downloads for that particular title.

Where to find your downloaded episodes

On both iOS and Android, go to the menu at the bottom of the Peacock app and tap Downloads. This section shows all the episodes and movies you have saved to your device, organized by title. You can play any downloaded episode directly from this section without needing an internet connection.

The Downloads section also shows you how much storage space each read uses and when it will expire. Titles that are about to expire appear with a countdown so you know when they will be removed automatically.

Storage space and expiration dates

Downloaded episodes take up storage on your phone or tablet. The amount varies depending on video quality and length — a one-hour episode typically uses between 500 MB and 2 GB of space. Check your device's available storage before downloading multiple titles, especially if you have limited space.

Peacock automatically deletes downloaded files after 30 days, even if you have not watched them. Some titles may have shorter expiration windows. You can delete downloads manually at any time by opening the Downloads section, finding the title, and selecting the delete option. Deleting a read frees up storage space when ready.

Why some shows and movies cannot be downloaded

Peacock does not allow downloads for all content because of licensing agreements with studios and networks. Some shows and movies have restrictions that prevent offline viewing. These titles do not display a read icon, which means you can only watch them when you have an active internet connection.

Original Peacock content and some licensed shows do allow downloads, but the availability changes based on the agreements Peacock has with content providers. If you want to watch a specific title offline and it does not have a read option, your only choice is to stream it online.

Downloading over Wi-Fi versus cellular data

You can read episodes using either Wi-Fi or cellular data, depending on your phone's settings and your Peacock account type. Downloading over Wi-Fi is faster and does not use your cellular data allowance. If you read over cellular, the file counts toward your monthly data limit.

To control which connection type Peacock uses for downloads, check your phone's app settings. On iOS, go to Settings, find Peacock, and look for options related to cellular data. On Android, open the Peacock app, go to Settings, and look for read or data preferences. You can usually set the app to read only on Wi-Fi if you want to preserve cellular data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read episodes on my smart TV or streaming device?

No. The read feature only works on the Peacock mobile app for iOS and Android phones and tablets. You cannot read on web browsers, smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, or other streaming devices. You can only stream content on those platforms.

What happens when my downloaded episode expires?

Peacock automatically removes the file from your device after 30 days. You will no longer be able to watch it offline, but you can read it again if you want. The expiration date appears in your Downloads section so you know when it will be removed.

Can I transfer downloaded episodes to another device?

No. Downloaded episodes are tied to the device and Peacock account you used to read them. You cannot move or copy them to another phone, tablet, or computer. If you want to watch on a different device, you must read the episode again on that device.

Do I need a Peacock subscription to read episodes?

Yes. You need an active Peacock account to read content. Free tier accounts can read some content, but Premium and Premium Plus subscribers have access to a larger library of downloadable titles. Check your account level to see what you can read.

Why is the read button grayed out or missing?

This means the title is not available for read due to licensing restrictions. Some shows and movies can only be streamed online. If you see no read icon at all, that content cannot be saved to your device, and you will need an internet connection to watch it.