What version of Apple's Operating System do I need to get the BBC iPlayer app?
The BBC iPlayer app is available to Apple iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches running iOS 5.1 and above.
You can upgrade iPhones, iPads and most iPod Touches for free by connecting the device to your PC or MAC and following the iTunes upgrade instructions.
If you have not upgraded your phone you can continue to use the mobile web service by typing www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer into the web browser on your phones.
What version of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch do I need to use the BBC iPlayer app?
The BBC iPlayer app is only available to Apple iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S and iPhone 5 as well as 3rd, 4th and 5th generations of the Apple iPod Touch.
Older devices will not be able to get the app. People who have older phones can continue to use the mobile web service by typing www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer into the web browser on their phones.
Can I download programmes over 3G?
We don't currently offer programme downloads over 3G. Programmes can only be downloaded when your device is connected to Wi-Fi.
How do I download programmes to my iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch?
You can download BBC TV programmes using the BBC iPlayer app on the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch running iOS 5.1 and above. You can install the app by going to the Apple App Store on your device and searching for ‘iPlayer'
Then there are three simple steps to download a programme:
1. Tap the Download option on the programme you want to save
2. The programme will be added to your download queue
3. When you next connect to Wi-Fi, open the app and the programme will automatically start downloading to your device
Why can't I download radio programmes in the BBC iPlayer app on the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch?
Currently only TV programmes are available to download. The BBC is looking to make radio programmes available to download in the future.
However, you can download some radio programmes as podcasts by going to http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts
When are mobile downloads coming to Android devices?
We have more technical work to do to enable mobile downloads in the BBC iPlayer Android app and are continuing to work on this.
The BBC is looking to make full programme downloads available to other devices in the future.
What is the size of downloaded programmes on the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch ? How many episodes could you fit on a 16GB iPhone?
BBC iPlayer offers downloads in Standard and High Quality with high quality being a larger file that may take longer to download.
As a guide file sizes are:
High Quality (encoded at 1500kbps):
30 minute programme - 315MB
60 minute programme - 630MB
Standard Quality (encoded at 800kbps)
30 minute programme - 160MB
60 minute programme - 320MB
You can find the Standard and High Quality setting under the More tab in the BBC iPlayer app on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
As a guide, a 16GB device with no photos, music or other videos stored on the device could hold about 25 hours of High Quality programmes or about 50 hours of Standard Quality programmes.
If you run out of storage space on your device, you can delete downloaded programmes by going to the Downloads section of the BBC iPlayer app, or delete files elsewhere on your device to free up space.
How long will it take to download a programme?
This will depend on your broadband speed and the size of the programme being downloaded.
As a very rough guide it shouldn't take more than about 10-15 minutes to download a half hour programme. This depends on your connection speed.
If you download a programme in the UK, can you watch it outside the UK?
Rights agreements mean that BBC iPlayer television programmes are only available to download in the UK.
However, if you have downloaded a programme from BBC iPlayer while in the UK, you can take it with you and watch it anywhere in the world for up to 30 days.
How long can I keep programmes that I have downloaded to an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch?
Once the programme has downloaded onto your computer, you have 30 days to start watching it. Once you have tapped to start watching the programme, you then have seven days to watch it before it expires. When a downloaded programme expires, it will be automatically deleted from your device.
Why don't subtitles work on programmes that I have downloaded onto an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch?
Subtitles are available on programmes that are streamed in the BBC iPlayer app. To activate Subtitles tap on the ‘S' icon when you are watching a BBC iPlayer programme that is streaming to your device.
We are working on enabling subtitles on downloaded programmes and will be rolling this out in a future update.
Can HD content be downloaded to mobiles and tablets?
The BBC iPlayer app on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch has an option to download programmes in Standard Quality and High Quality.
Standard Quality programmes are produced at 800kbps and High Quality programmes at 1500kbps.
Note that if you change from Standard to High Quality, or back again, this setting will only apply to new programmes that you add to your Queue.
You can find the Standard and High Quality setting under the More tab in the BBC iPlayer app.
Why doesn't AirPlay work on programmes that have been downloaded in the BBC iPlayer app on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch?
Due to a technical issue AirPlay does not currently work on downloaded programmes. We are working on a fix, which will be rolled out in a future BBC iPlayer app update.
However, you can watch downloaded BBC iPlayer programmes on a TV by using mirroring on the device.
Do full programme downloads in the BBC iPlayer app for iPad, iPod Touch and IPhone come with parental controls?
Yes. All BBC programmes are labelled if they include scenes that require Guidance warnings or flashing imagery. The BBC iPlayer app also comes with the option to set a parental lock on specific programmes.
Programmes are failing to download in the BBC iPlayer app for iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone. What should I do?
Sometimes BBC iPlayer programmes will fail to download on the iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone. This is due to a number of factors including poor network conditions or low bandwidth.
If a programme fails to download, all you need to do is follow these steps to delete the programme from your download queue, then add it to the queue again to download the programme.
1. Open the BBC iPlayer app and tap on the Downloads tab at the bottom
2. Go to the Downloads Queue tab and tap on Edit in the top Right hand corner of the screen
3. Select the programme that has failed to Download by tapping in the circle to the left of the programme in the list
4. Tap on the red Delete button at the top of the page to Delete the programme from your Download Queue
5. Go to the Search option in the BBC iPlayer app and type in the name of the programme
6. Go to the programme page and tap on the Download link to add the programme to your Download Queue
7. The programme should now download when you next connect your device to Wi-Fi
When will programmes download to my iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch?
Once programmes are added to the Queue, they will automatically download to your device when you are connected to Wi-Fi and the BBC iPlayer app is open and the screen is active.
How do I stop programmes downloading to my iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch?
You can switch downloads off using the button at the top of your Queue.
When ‘Download Programmes' is switched OFF you will still be able to add programmes to you Queue and watch programmes that you have already downloaded, but no further programmes will download until you switch ‘Download Programmes' back ON.
What do I do if my Queue page becomes frozen when downloading programmes to my iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch?
The best thing to do is close the BBC iPlayer app and restart it.
You can do this by tapping the Home button at the base of your device to minimize the app. Next double tap the same Home button to show apps that are currently running and long press the BBC iPlayer app icon until it displays a red minus icon in the corner. When you tap this red minus icon, the BBC iPlayer app will close and you can then re-launch it from your Home Screen.
Why am I not offered the Download option for some TV programmes in the BBC iPlayer app on the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch?
The BBC does not have download Rights to some TV programmes.
Can I stream a downloaded programme in the BBC iPlayer app on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch?
If you have downloaded a programme, the BBC iPlayer app will always play that download rather than attempt to stream it, so you can continue to watch it wherever you are, without buffering.
Can I copy a downloaded programme in the BBC iPlayer app on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch to another device?
No. Downloads are tied to the specific device on which you download them and cannot be transferred to other devices. If you upgrade to a new device you will not be able to copy over your downloaded programmes. However, they will still be available to watch on your old device up until their expiry date.
Why will my downloaded programme not play when connected to 3G or Wi-Fi?
Due to a technical issue with some networks and device configurations, playback of a downloaded programme will not work for some users when connected to the internet by 3G or Wi-Fi.
We are aware of the issue and are working on a fix, which will be rolled out in a future BBC iPlayer app update.
In the meantime you can watch downloaded BBC iPlayer programmes by temporarily switching off Wi-Fi and turning off your mobile data connection. To do this on an iOS device go to Settings > General > Mobile Data > Set Mobile Data to OFF. On some devices you might find this under Settings > General > Cellular > Enable 3G > Set Enable 3G to OFF.
Turning off your mobile data connection will allow you to receive incoming calls and texts while enjoying your favourite BBC programmes. However, you will need to switch mobile data back on to receive email or be able to access the internet.
Did this answer your question?
Didn't see your answer here?
If you have detailed issues about using BBC iPlayer not covered here, please read our Where can I go to discuss BBC iPlayer? FAQ or you can Contact Us.
