There are two ways to use BBC iPlayer on a phone or tablet: the app or the website.
You'll need a TV licence and a BBC account, and you'll need to be in the UK to stream our programmes or live channels.
Can I use the BBC iPlayer app?
You can install the latest BBC iPlayer app on the following devices:
- Amazon Fire: Fire OS 6 or above (available from the Amazon Appstore)
- Android: Android 7.0 or above (available from the Google Play Store)
- Apple: iOS 15.5 or above (available from the Apple App Store)
Search the relevant store for 'BBC iPlayer' then tap the button to install the app. This will add it to your device.
On the BBC iPlayer app for mobiles and tablets, you can:
- play on-demand programmes
- play live TV channels
- download on-demand programmes
Can I use the BBC iPlayer website?
You can use the BBC iPlayer website on these devices:
- Android: Android 9 or above*
- Apple: iOS 12.5.5 or above*
Open your internet browser and go to bbc.co.uk/iplayer to access the website.
Using the website on your phone or tablet, you can:
- play on-demand programmes
- play live TV channels
* It might be possible to access the BBC iPlayer website on Apple and Android devices running earlier versions of the operating systems but we can’t guarantee a problem-free experience as they are not supported. If parts of the website break, we will not be able to fix them.
How do I know what operating system my device is using?
Follow these steps on your device:
| Amazon Fire | Swipe down from the top of the screen > tap Settings > Device Options > System Updates |
| Android | Go to Settings > About phone or About device > Software information > Android version |
| iOS | Go to Settings > General > About > Software version |
To check for updates, follow these steps:
| Amazon Fire | Swipe down from the top of the screen > tap Settings > Device Options > System Updates > Check Now |
| Android | Go to Settings > Software update |
| iOS | Go to Settings > General > Software update |
Why isn't BBC iPlayer supported on older devices?
Continuing to support BBC iPlayer on devices running operating systems older than those listed above would seriously hinder our ability to develop new features for the vast majority of people using BBC iPlayer.
In many cases, support for older operating systems had already been dropped by their owners (Amazon, Android or Apple) for some time. So while we’ve been able to support these devices for additional years, it’s no longer sustainable for us to continue to do so.
You need to be covered by a TV licence to watch or download any programmes on BBC iPlayer and you'll also need a BBC account. Head to the Using the BBC website to find out more about creating a BBC account.