PBS app and Passport membership overview and FAQs

Watch your favorite PBS content directly on your Xfinity X1, Flex streaming TV Box, or Xumo Stream Box devices! With a Passport membership, you’ll get advance access to stream select new shows before they air on TV and binge-watch exclusive episodes. Catch up on new and classic seasons of your favorite PBS shows on demand.

To access the PBS app and Passport, you’ll need:

• A compatible X1 TV Box (RNG150, Pace Xi3, Samsung XG2v2, and Arris and Pace XG1v1 TV Boxes are not compatible), Flex streaming TV Box, or Xumo Stream Box.
• Xfinity Internet (any level of service).
• A PBS Passport membership.

If you don’t have an existing PBS Passport membership, you can sign up through your device by following the on-screen prompts.

If you have an incompatible box and would like to swap it for a compatible one, see our instructions on exchanging X1 TV boxes.

Step 1: Accessing the PBS app

Access from Xfinity X1

1. Press the xfinity button on your remote.
2. Select Apps from the Home screen.
3. Go to the PBS tile and select it.

Note: You can also use a voice command like “Watch PBS” on your Xfinity Voice Remote (press and hold the microphone button) to instantly get to the app.

Access from Xumo Stream Box or Flex streaming TV Box

1. Go to the Apps row of your Home screen by pressing down on the directional pad of your remote.
2. Select Apps (View all).
3. Scroll to the PBS tile and select it.

Step 2: Activate your TV Box and sign in or create a PBS account

1. On your TV, select Activate Now to sign in to your existing PBS membership or to sign up for a new membership. 
2. From a mobile device or computer, visit pbs.org/activate or scan the QR Code. 
3. Enter the activation code displayed on your TV screen and select Continue. 
4. To continue activation, select Sign in with PBS Account to sign in with your existing account or select Create a PBS Account. 
   
   • You can also choose to sign in with Google, Facebook, or Apple.
5. If you are creating a new account, fill out your information and follow the prompts.

Step 3: Get a Passport membership billed through Xfinity

To watch PBS Passport content, you can donate with a tax-deductible donation of at least $5 per month or a one-time amount of at least $60 billed through Xfinity.

1. From the PBS app on your TV Box, select Get Passport with your remote.
2. Select Monthly or One-Time. 
3. Select your monthly or one-time donation amount.  
4. Select Continue.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts for your donation.
6. Once you’ve chosen your monthly or one-time donation amount, select Confirm to be billed through Xfinity.
7. You’ll be emailed a receipt for your donation.
8. Select Activate & Start Watching. 

FAQs

Why can't I access the PBS app on my X1 TV Box? 
The app isn’t compatible with the following X1 TV Boxes: RNG150, Pace Xi3, Samsung XG2v2, and Arris and Pace XG1v1 TV Boxes. If you’d like to watch the PBS app on your X1 device, you’ll need to contact us to swap to a compatible TV Box.

I don’t have Xfinity TV, but I have Xfinity Internet. Can I access the PBS app?
Yes, if you have a compatible Xumo Stream Box or Flex streaming TV Box.

Do I need to sign up or sign in to use PBS Passport?
You need to have a current PBS Passport membership to use the app to watch Passport programming. Some content may already be available on X1, Xumo Stream Box, or Flex, but to access premium Passport content, you must sign in to watch.

How do I manage or cancel my existing PBS Passport membership donation?
If your membership is billed by Xfinity, see these instructions to manage your PBS Passport membership donation.

If your membership is billed by another provider, visit pbs.org for more information.

I forgot my PBS account username or password. How do I find my username or reset my password?
See pbs.org for more information on resetting your password and recovering your email address.

Is PBS app in HD?
Yes.

Is PBS app in 4K?
No.

Does watching PBS app count against my monthly internet data usage?
Yes, content is streamed over the internet and will count against your monthly data usage.

How does the billing and tax-donation work?
These charges will appear on your Xfinity bill. Your donation grants you access to PBS Passport for one month if you make a qualifying donation billed on a monthly basis or for one year if you made a qualifying on-time donation. Your tax-deductible donation will be collected by Xfinity and sent to the PBS Foundation, which will distribute your donation and associated information to your local PBS station.

You can manage your account by contacting PBS or your local PBS station. Contact information for your local PBS station is available at pbs.org/stations.

Are there any accessibility features?
Since these are third-party applications, most of your accessibility user preferences on X1, Xumo Stream Box, and Flex will not be observed once you launch an app. However, you can enable the app’s own accessibility features, which will vary between each app.

How do I block access PBS app on X1, Xumo Stream Box, or Flex?
There are two ways you can set parental controls for the PBS app:

• Lock TV-MA content under Settings > Parental Controls > TV Rating Locks.
  
  • Once locked, a Parental Control PIN is required before you can access the app.
• You can block access to the PBS app using an Application Lock.