read video on Peacock using the mobile app
Peacock lets you read TV shows and movies to watch offline on your phone or tablet. The read feature works only on the Peacock mobile app for iOS and Android — you cannot read through the web browser or on a computer. Once you read something, you can watch it without an internet connection for up to 30 days.
To read a show or movie, open the Peacock app on your phone or tablet, find the title you want, and tap the read icon (usually a downward-pointing arrow). The app will begin downloading the video to your device's storage. read speed depends on your internet connection and the file size of the video.
Downloaded content takes up space on your device. A single episode typically uses 300 MB to 1 GB of storage, depending on video quality. Movies use more space. If your device is running low on storage, delete old downloads or move other files to make room before downloading new content.
Key Takeaways
- Downloads work only on the Peacock mobile app for iPhone and Android, not on computers or the web version.
- You can watch downloaded videos for up to 30 days without an internet connection.
- Each read uses 300 MB to 1 GB of storage per episode, so check your device's available space first.
- Tap the read icon next to any show or movie title to start the read process.
- Peacock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers can read; the free tier cannot.
Which Peacock plan includes downloads
Only paid Peacock subscribers can read videos. If you have a free Peacock account, the read button will not appear on titles. Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus both include read rights — the difference between them is ads and the number of simultaneous streams, not read capability.
If you are on the free tier and want to read, you will need to upgrade to Premium or Premium Plus. Peacock offers a free trial period for new Premium subscribers, though the length varies by promotion.
Finding the read button and starting a read
Open the Peacock app and search for or browse to the show or movie you want. Tap on the title to open its detail page. Below the title and description, you will see a row of buttons — one of them is the read icon, usually shown as a downward arrow or a cloud with a down arrow.
Tap the read icon. The app will show a progress bar as the video downloads. Depending on your internet speed and the video length, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. You can continue using the app while a read happens in the background.
For TV series, you can read individual episodes or entire seasons. Tap the read icon next to the season title to read all episodes at once, or tap the icon next to each episode to pick and choose. Downloading a full season uses significantly more storage than a single episode.
Where to find and watch your downloads
Once a video finishes downloading, go to the Downloads section of the Peacock app. On most phones, this is a tab at the bottom of the screen labeled "Downloads" or "My Stuff." Tap it to see all your downloaded content in one place.
Select any downloaded video to play it. You do not need an internet connection to watch downloaded content. The video will play at the quality it was downloaded in — Peacock typically downloads at standard definition unless you change the read quality setting in the app's preferences.
Downloaded videos stay on your device until you delete them or until 30 days pass, whichever comes first. After 30 days, the read expires and you will need to read it again if you want to watch it offline.
Changing read quality and storage settings
By default, Peacock downloads videos in standard definition to save storage space. If you want higher quality downloads, go to the app's Settings menu, find the Downloads section, and look for a quality option. Changing this to High Definition or the highest available option will use more storage per video but give you a sharper picture.
You can also set where downloads are stored. On Android phones, you may be able to choose between internal storage and an SD card if your phone has one. On iPhones, downloads go to the device's internal storage only — there is no option to use external storage.
Check your device's storage regularly. If you are running out of space, delete downloads you no longer need. The Peacock app will show you how much storage each read uses, so you can decide which ones to keep.
Troubleshooting downloads that fail or won't start
If a read fails to start, first check that you are connected to Wi-Fi or a strong mobile data connection. Downloads require a stable connection to begin. If your connection drops during a read, the process will pause and resume when the connection returns.
If a read keeps failing, try closing the Peacock app completely and reopening it. Then navigate back to the title and tap the read icon again. Sometimes a stalled read will restart successfully on the second attempt.
Make sure you have enough free storage on your device. If your phone or tablet is nearly full, the read may fail. Delete old downloads, photos, or other files to free up space, then try downloading again. Also verify that your Peacock subscription is still active — expired or cancelled accounts lose read rights.
Removing downloads and freeing up space
To delete a read, go to the Downloads section of the app, find the video you want to remove, and look for a delete or trash icon. Tap it to remove the read from your device. This frees up storage space when ready.
You can also delete downloads by swiping left or right on the title (depending on your phone's operating system) to reveal a delete option. Deleting a read does not affect your Peacock account or subscription — you can always read the same video again later.
If you want to stop a read that is in progress, go to the Downloads section and look for a cancel or pause button next to the video. Cancelling a read removes the partial file and frees up the space it was using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Peacock videos on my computer?
No. The read feature only works on the Peacock mobile app for iOS and Android phones and tablets. The web version and desktop apps do not have a read option. If you want to watch Peacock offline on a computer, you would need to read on a phone or tablet first, then watch on that device.
How long can I keep a downloaded video?
Downloaded videos expire after 30 days. After that time, you will need to read them again if you want to watch offline. The 30-day timer starts when you first read the video, not when you watch it.
Do downloads count against my data plan?
Yes. Downloading uses data from your mobile plan if you read over cellular (non-Wi-Fi) connection. To avoid using data, connect to Wi-Fi before starting a read. Once downloaded, watching the video offline uses no additional data.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Peacock subscription?
Downloaded videos become unwatchable once your subscription ends. The files remain on your device but the app will not play them. If you resubscribe later, you can read them again.
Can I read the same show on multiple devices?
Yes. You can read the same title on different phones or tablets using the same Peacock account. However, each read uses storage on that specific device, so you will need enough free space on each device.