Listening to podcasts has become one of the favorite ways to consume content for millions of people around the world.Whether you're looking to learn something new, keep up with the latest news, or just entertain yourself during your commute, Podcasts offer a convenient and accessible way to enjoy audio anytime. If you have an iPhone and are wondering how to start listening to podcasts, you've come to the right place.
In this article, we explain clearly and step by step everything you need to know to listen to podcasts on your iPhone. From how to find shows you like, subscribe, download episodes for offline listening, and even how to troubleshoot common errors. We'll also cover the best podcast apps available for iOS and how to choose the one that best suits your tastes.
How to start listening to podcasts on your iPhone with Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts is the default app on iOS for listening to this type of content. It comes installed by default, so you don't need to download anything extra. It's one of the most comprehensive and easy-to-use platforms, making it the ideal option if you're just starting out. You can learn more about how it works at this guide.
To get started, simply open the Podcasts app from your iPhone. There you'll find several sections such as Home, Explore, Library, and Search. The Home tab displays personalized recommendations based on your tastes, while from the Search section you can locate specific programs by topic, name or popularity.
How to follow and unfollow a program
When you find a podcast you like, you can follow to automatically receive new episodesTo do this, go to the program page and press the button. ContinueFrom that moment on, new episodes will be added to your Library. If you need more information about using Apple Podcasts, you can check out this article.
If at any point you decide to stop following him, go back to the show's page, press the More button and select Stop followingAt that point, you can choose whether to keep the downloaded episodes or delete them from your device.
Listen to an episode and use the play queue
One of the most useful features of Apple Podcasts is the play queueThis allows you to organize a list of episodes to listen to one after the other without having to constantly search for them. If you want to learn more about managing your podcasts, check out this guide.
- Go to any episode and click the “Play Next” button to add it to your queue.
- If you prefer it to play after others, select “Add to Queue.”
- From the player, you can change the order of the episodes by clicking and dragging items.
Also, you can delete episodes from the queue by swiping left over them or delete them all at once with the “Delete” button.
Listen without using mobile data
If you want to avoid consuming data when you are away from home, you can download the episodes in advance. For it:
- Go to the episode you want to listen to.
- Tap the three-dot icon and select “Download.”
- A down arrow will confirm that the download is complete.
- You can find these episodes in the “Downloads” section of the Library.
Controls available during playback
Once an episode is playing, you can expand the player from the bottom to reveal more controls:
- Playback speed: Choose the speed you like best, from 0.5x to 2x or more.
- forward or backward: You can skip 15 or 30 seconds forward or back with one tap.
- Access to the queue: From here you can see what other episodes are waiting and reorder them.
View episode transcripts
Apple Podcasts also allows view synchronized transcripts of specific episodes. This feature is ideal for continuing listening while reading or searching for keywords within the content. For more details on podcast transcripts, see this article.
From the player, tap the transcription button. If available, you'll see the synchronized text. You can even tap a specific section to jump to that point in the audio.
Setting up recommendations and content discovery
To discover new podcasts, go to the “Home” section and Scroll through rows of recommendations like “You might be interested in” or “More to discover”These suggestions are based on your listening history and current subscriptions.
If you don't like a suggestion, you can click the app's options button and select "Suggest Less." You can also disable personalized recommendations entirely from your profile.
Syncing between Apple devices
All your data syncs if you use the same Apple account on your devices. This includes shows watched, episodes played, subscriptions, and listening position. If you'd like to learn more about device syncing, I recommend this post.
This way, you can start listening to an episode on your iPhone and continue on your iPad or Mac without losing where you left off. If you're using an iPod classic, nano, or shuffle, you'll need to sync manually from your Mac.
What to do if Apple Podcasts isn't working properly?
On some occasions, you might find that Episodes won't play or downloadThis can be due to several causes:
- Unstable internet connection.
- Synchronization problems between devices.
- Corrupted files during download.
To fix it, you can follow these steps:
- Check the volume and make sure it is not muted..
- Restart the app by closing it completely and reopening it.
- Check that you are using the correct audio output.
- Delete the episode and download it again.
- Make sure you have a good internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
- Restart your device if problems persist.
Alternative apps to Apple Podcasts for listening on iPhone
Although Apple Podcasts is very popular, there are other apps that offer different functionalities and varied interface styles. Below are some of the most recommended:
Spotify
Recognized primarily for music, Spotify also has a extensive podcast libraryYou can listen for free with ads or subscribe to Premium and enjoy without interruptions. It has Apple Watch integration and allows for offline listening, so if you're interested in learning more about how to connect Apple CarPlay to your iPhone, check it out. here.
Pocket Casts
A very versatile app that includes playback at different speeds, customizable interface, and Apple CarPlay compatibility. You can also switch between light and dark backgrounds, and multitask with Slide Over or Picture in Picture.
Overcast
It offers exclusive features such as smart lists, volume enhancements with Voice Boost, and advanced options for customizing your playlists. The free version is very comprehensive, but you can also upgrade to the premium version.
How to choose the best app for you
When looking for a podcast listening app, you can consider these factors:
- Available content: Some apps have exclusive access to certain programs.
- Interface: It must be intuitive and functional.
- Compatibility: Make sure it works well on your version of iOS.
- Price: Check if it offers a free version or if it requires a subscription.
Each app has its strengths, so it's best to try several and choose the one that works best for you.
Listening to podcasts on iPhone is a very accessible experience thanks to the variety of apps available and the multiple features they offer.From Apple's default app to alternatives like Spotify or Pocket Casts, there are plenty of options for enjoying your favorite shows. You just need to choose the ideal app, improve your playback queue, explore new content, and decide whether you want to take your downloaded episodes with you everywhere or simply stream them. With all these tools at your fingertips, you'll be more than prepared to make the most of the podcast world on your iPhone.