Updated: 19 August 2025
You need to sign in on most TVs to use BBC iPlayer or BBC Sounds. This is to give you a personalised experience, and to make sure we’re making something for everyone. Find out more about why we're asking you to sign in.
To sign in, all you need is:
- A TV with the BBC iPlayer or BBC Sounds app installed
- Your phone, tablet or computer.
- A BBC account. You can find out more about BBC accounts here.
Follow these steps to sign in on your TV
- Open the BBC app on your TV.
- Select “Sign in”. You can find this in Settings or by selecting the “Sign in” icon in the menu.
- You’ll see a page with some instructions and a code. The code will be 6 numbers long.
- Now, on your phone, tablet or computer, visit www.bbc.com/account/tv
- If you’re not already signed in on your phone, tablet or computer, you’ll be asked to sign in to your BBC account. Don’t have a BBC account yet? Hit “Register” instead of “Sign in”.
- Once you’re signed in on your phone, tablet or computer, you’ll be asked to enter the code that’s showing on your TV.
- Enter the code shown on your TV, then hit “Confirm” and wait a few moments for your TV to refresh. This will only take about 10 seconds.
- Your TV will tell you when it’s all done. You can then set your phone, tablet or computer aside and get watching your TV.
What if the code doesn’t work?
Here are a few things to check:
- Make sure only one person is trying to sign in with the code. If two or more people try to use the same code, it won’t work.
- Each code is unique and expires after 60 minutes. If it's been on your TV screen for more than 60 minutes, you’ll need to press “Back” and hit “Sign in” again on your TV to get a new code.
- The code should be 6 numbers long. Make sure it's no longer or shorter.
- If you see a message saying "Sorry, something isn't working right now. Please try again later." that means we’re having technical issues. So you’ll need to try again later.
Protection from scams and staying safe online
The BBC provides support for iPlayer via its official help website, online forms, Live Chat and occasionally by phone if requested.
We want to help you protect your personal information and spot any support that doesn’t come from the BBC.
How to spot a scam
By phone
- We do not offer a telephone support service unless it has been requested by you for a specific reason. If this is the case, you will have spoken to one of our agents already and they will have provided you with a reference number
- If you are called back by a BBC representative, ask them for the reference number and ensure it matches the one you were given
By Live Chat and messaging apps
- We offer Live Chat as a support option on our official support pages. However, we will never initiate a Live Chat conversation with you.
- To start a Live Chat, you must visit our support website and click the Live Chat button yourself
- We do not offer support via messaging apps, such as WhatsApp
Software downloads
- We will never ask you to download any software to verify your TV licence or ask for any other personal details
Using our support website
- This is harder to spot as scammers are getting better at creating websites that look very similar to BBC websites
- They may also use web addresses (URLs) that are similar but not the same as our own websites
- If you are unsure that you’re on our official site, go to the main BBC website at www.bbc.co.uk and click on the iPlayer page. Scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will find a link to Help and FAQs
Bank and TV Licence Fee details
- In any contact with iPlayer support, we will never ask for bank, credit card or TV Licence details
What to do if you think you have been scammed
- If you have entered your payment details into an online chat or webpage, please contact your bank immediately to try to stop or reverse the payments.
- Report the fraud attempt via the Action Fraud website or call them on 0300 123 2040
- If it relates to iPlayer or any other BBC products then let us know using this form
I'm having trouble with my account
Check out these pages for help with how to register, how to sign in, and how to update your account details.
