How to Download a Podcast on iPhone
Listening to podcasts on your iPhone is one of the easiest ways to learn, relax, and stay entertained — even when you don’t have internet.
From news and education to true crime and motivation, there’s something for everyone. The best part? You can download podcasts to listen offline anytime, anywhere.
Whether you’re new to podcasts or a daily listener, this guide will show you step-by-step how to find, save, and enjoy your favourite episodes using the Apple Podcasts app quickly and easily.
What You Need Before You Start
| What You Need | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi or mobile data | Needed to download podcast episodes. |
| Apple Podcasts app | Used to search, save, and play podcasts. |
| Free storage space | Makes sure downloads save properly. |
| Apple ID (optional) | Helps sync across all your Apple devices. |
1. Open the Apple Podcasts App
Your iPhone already has the Podcasts app installed. You can find it on your Home Screen or search for it by swiping down and typing Podcasts in the search bar.
If it’s missing, download it again from the App Store (it’s free).
Once you open it, you’ll see these four tabs:
Listen Now – shows your recently played episodes.
Browse – helps you find new shows.
Library – lists all your followed podcasts.
Search – lets you look up topics or show names.
2. Search for the Podcast You Want
Tap the Search tab at the bottom right. Type the name or topic of the podcast — for example, The Daily or Motivational Talks.
Select the podcast you want to play from the search results.You’ll see all available episodes, along with titles and release dates.
3. Follow the Podcast
Tap Follow (+) at the top of the show’s page.
Following helps you:
Get alerts when new episodes come out.
Keep the podcast in your Library.
Auto-download new episodes (if turned on in Settings).
This way, you don’t have to search for your favorite shows again.
4. Download an Episode for Offline Listening
Find an episode you want to save and tap the Download icon (⬇️) next to it.
Your iPhone will start downloading it. When done, a checkmark will appear, showing it’s saved and ready to play offline.
Tip: Use Wi-Fi for faster downloading and to avoid using mobile data.
5. Listen to Your Saved Podcasts Offline
To find your downloaded episodes:
Open the Podcasts app.
Tap Library → Downloaded.
Select a podcast and tap Play.
Now you can enjoy your shows without internet, whether you’re traveling, studying, or relaxing at home.
Bonus Tip: Manage Your Download Settings
You can choose how your iPhone handles podcast downloads.
Go to Settings → Podcasts → Downloads and adjust:
Download When Saving – auto-saves new episodes.
Remove Played Downloads – deletes episodes you’ve finished.
Only Download on Wi-Fi – prevents using mobile data.
This keeps your phone’s storage clean and saves internet data.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
| Problem | Why It Happens | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Episode won’t download | Weak Wi-Fi or no data | Connect to Wi-Fi or allow mobile data downloads. |
| Episode missing | You didn’t follow the podcast | Tap Follow to save it in your Library. |
| Not enough space | Storage is full | Delete old episodes or apps. |
| App glitch | Outdated app or bug | Restart iPhone or update the Podcasts app. |
FAQs
Q1: Where do downloaded podcasts go on iPhone?
They’re saved in the Podcasts app under Library → Downloaded.
Q2: Can I delete podcasts after listening?
Yes. Swipe left on an episode and tap Delete to remove it.
Q3: Can I download podcasts in other apps?
Yes. Apps like Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Pocket Casts also let you download episodes.
Q4: Why can’t I download a podcast?
Make sure you have Wi-Fi or mobile data, enough storage, and downloads turned on in your app settings.
