BBC iPlayer to be blocked on specific devices from next month - check full list

12 February 2024 , 18:00

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BBC iPlayer to be blocked on specific devices from next month - check full list

The BBC will be making a major change to the iPlayer service, meaning a well-loved feature will be blocked to some UK viewers.

Lots of people use the iPlayer app to download shows and watch them later - allowing users to view content without an internet connection. The feature, which is especially useful for flights, long car journeys or taking the train, where internet connection can be poor or non-existent, is being changed on March 11, the BBC has said.

The corporation will stop the option of downloading and viewing offline on Windows-powered PCs and Apple's MacBook as the iPlayer Desktop Downloads App will no longer work for those devices.

Some viewers will have to re-think the way they watch their favourite BBC TV shows (Getty Images)

In a statement, the broadcaster explained: "We have started the process of closing the Desktop Downloads App. Downloading programmes from a computer or laptop will no longer be available from Monday, March 11 but you can still watch your existing downloads until Monday 8 April 2024."

It adds: "You can also still download your favourite programmes on your mobile device, and add programmes to your Watchlist to return later."

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List of impacted devices

• Windows PCs including those running Windows 10 and Windows 11
• Apple MacBook devices including MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and MacBooks

As of Friday 2 February, new users were blocked from downloading and installing the BBC iPlayer Downloads app on the affected platforms. Existing fans will find they can no longer use the Desktop Downloads App from Monday 11 March while any existing downloads will be available until April but after that date, they will stop working too. As of April 8, the BBC iPlayer Downloads app will be entirely closed.

However, people using the iPlayer app on smartphones and tablets will be unaffected, with devices such as iPhones, Galaxy smartphones and iPads still able to download shows. Just launch the iPlayer app then tap "Download" underneath the episode you want to download.

The decision has drawn anger from some online commenters, with one user named Jo saying, "BBC iPlayer downloads have been my lifeline. My internet is super unreliable, I don't have a tablet and my phone screen is tiny, I don't wanna watch Sherlock on that."

Joe Smith