How to Find Podcasts on Apple Music

The process of discovering and enjoying podcasts on your Apple devices is straightforward, though some users might initially find themselves navigating between different apps. As the accompanying video accurately demonstrates, accessing podcasts on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac primarily involves using the dedicated Apple Podcasts app, not Apple Music.

Understanding Apple’s Approach to Audio Content

Apple has strategically segmented its audio content offerings into distinct applications to enhance user experience and functionality. This means that while your Apple Music subscription grants you access to a vast library of songs and curated playlists, the world of podcasts resides within its own application: Apple Podcasts. Consequently, you do not need to purchase an additional subscription to listen to podcasts if you already have an Apple Music subscription; the content is simply housed in a different, purpose-built app. This division allows each app to specialize, providing features tailored to its specific content type. The Apple Podcasts app is designed to help you discover, subscribe to, and manage your podcast listening, offering functionalities like episode downloads, playback speed controls, and smart recommendations.

Locating and Opening the Apple Podcasts App

Finding podcasts on Apple devices begins with identifying the correct application. The Apple Podcasts app is a default, built-in application that comes pre-installed with every iOS device. Its icon is typically purple with a white circle and two white arcs resembling radio waves or sound waves. If you are new to the iOS ecosystem or simply cannot locate it on your home screen, there are a couple of quick ways to find it:

• Swipe Down (Spotlight Search): From any home screen, swipe down from the middle of the screen to bring up Spotlight Search. Type “Podcasts” into the search bar, and the app icon will appear. Tap it to open.
• App Library: On devices running iOS 14 or later, swipe left past your last home screen to access the App Library. You can find the Podcasts app within a category (likely “Entertainment” or “Creativity”) or by using the search bar at the top of the App Library.

Once you open the app, you will be presented with several tabs, each serving a distinct purpose in your podcast journey.

Discovering New Shows: Your Guide to Finding Podcasts on Apple

After successfully opening the Apple Podcasts app, your next step is to explore the vast universe of available audio content. The app offers several intuitive ways to discover new shows that align with your interests.

Using the Search Feature Effectively

The most direct way to find specific podcasts you know about or topics you are interested in is through the “Search” tab. Located at the bottom of the screen, the search bar allows you to input various queries. For instance, you can search by:

• Podcast Title: If you know the exact name of a show, such as “Serial” or “The Daily,” simply type it in.
• Host Name: Looking for content by a specific creator? Search for their name, and their shows will often appear.
• Topic or Keyword: Explore broad subjects like “true crime,” “history,” “technology news,” or “meditation” to find a plethora of relevant podcasts.
• Guest Names: Sometimes, you might remember an insightful guest from another show; searching for their name can lead you to episodes they’ve featured in.

The search function is robust, often suggesting popular results as you type, streamlining your discovery process.

Browsing Categories and Featured Content

Should you wish to explore new content without a specific title in mind, the “Browse” tab is an invaluable resource. This section of the Apple Podcasts app is designed for serendipitous discovery, offering curated lists and categorized content. Here, you will find:

• Charts: Top Shows and Top Episodes, reflecting what’s currently popular.
• Categories: A comprehensive list of genres, ranging from Arts and Business to Comedy, Education, Health & Fitness, News, Technology, True Crime, and many more. Diving into these categories allows you to hone in on podcasts within your preferred niches.
• Featured Collections: Apple often curates special collections around current events, holidays, or specific themes, presenting a hand-picked selection of shows.
• New & Noteworthy: This section highlights recently released podcasts that are gaining traction, providing an excellent opportunity to be an early listener to the next big show.

This browsing functionality significantly enhances your ability to find podcasts on Apple that truly resonate with your interests.

Leveraging the “Listen Now” Tab for Personalized Recommendations

For a more personalized discovery experience, navigate to the “Listen Now” tab. This section intelligently curates recommendations based on your listening history, subscriptions, and follows. As you listen to more podcasts and interact with the app, “Listen Now” becomes increasingly adept at suggesting new episodes or entirely new shows that it predicts you will enjoy. This can include:

• Up Next: A queue of episodes you’ve started but not finished, or new episodes from shows you follow.
• Suggested Shows for You: Personalized picks based on your listening habits and genres you frequent.
• Recently Updated: Quick access to the latest episodes from your subscriptions.

This personalized approach helps you cut through the noise and efficiently discover quality audio content.

Enhancing Your Listening Experience with Apple Podcasts

Once you begin to find podcasts on Apple and listen to them, the app provides a suite of features to optimize your listening experience.

Subscribing and Following Podcasts

When you find a show you enjoy, you have the option to “Follow” it. This action ensures that new episodes automatically appear in your “Listen Now” and “Library” tabs. Some podcasts also offer premium content through paid subscriptions directly within the app, providing ad-free listening, bonus episodes, or early access. Following a free podcast is a simple tap, while subscribing to a premium one will guide you through the payment process via your Apple ID.

Managing Your Library and Downloads

The “Library” tab serves as your personal hub for all the podcasts you follow or have saved. From here, you can:

• Access Downloaded Episodes: Listen offline, perfect for commutes or areas with limited connectivity. You can adjust settings to automatically download new episodes of followed shows.
• Manage Saved Episodes: Keep a backlog of episodes you want to listen to later.
• Organize Your Shows: View all your followed podcasts in one place, making it easy to jump between different series.

Effective library management helps you maintain an organized and accessible collection of your favorite audio content.

Playback Controls and Settings

The Apple Podcasts app offers several handy playback controls to customize your listening:

• Playback Speed: Adjust the speed from 0.5x to 2x, allowing you to consume content faster or slower.
• Skip Silence: This feature intelligently skips silent passages, making conversations flow more smoothly and saving time.
• Sleep Timer: Set a timer for the audio to stop playing after a certain duration, ideal for bedtime listening.
• Forward/Backward Skip: Buttons typically allow you to skip 15 seconds forward or backward, useful for re-listening to a point or skipping past ads.

These granular controls ensure that your listening to podcasts on Apple is as comfortable and efficient as possible.

Beyond the Basics: Integrating Podcasts into Your Apple Ecosystem

The convenience of the Apple Podcasts app extends beyond your iPhone. Thanks to Apple’s integrated ecosystem, your listening experience seamlessly syncs across multiple devices.

• CarPlay: Connect your iPhone to your car’s infotainment system, and the Podcasts app interface will appear on your dashboard, allowing safe, hands-free control.
• HomePod/HomePod mini: Use Siri to play specific podcasts or resume listening where you left off, directly on your smart speaker.
• Apple Watch: Control playback, download episodes for offline listening, and even stream podcasts directly from your wrist (with cellular models).
• Mac and iPad: The Podcasts app is also available on these devices, ensuring your listening progress and subscriptions are always in sync via iCloud.

This cross-device functionality truly elevates the experience of discovering and enjoying quality audio content. The integrated approach ensures that no matter where you are or what Apple device you are using, finding podcasts on Apple Music (or rather, via the Podcasts app) is always simple and intuitive.

Your Podcast Discovery Compass: Q&A

Where can I find podcasts on my iPhone?

You find podcasts on your iPhone using the dedicated Apple Podcasts app. It’s a separate, built-in application that comes pre-installed on your device.

Do I need an Apple Music subscription to listen to podcasts?

No, you do not need an additional subscription. While Apple Music provides songs, the Apple Podcasts app is free to use for most podcast content, even without an Apple Music subscription.

How do I locate the Apple Podcasts app on my device?

The Apple Podcasts app has a purple icon with a white circle and two white arcs. You can easily find it by swiping down on your home screen to use Spotlight Search and typing ‘Podcasts’, or by looking in your App Library.

How can I discover new podcasts to listen to?

Inside the Apple Podcasts app, you can use the ‘Search’ tab to look for specific titles or topics, or explore the ‘Browse’ tab for categories and curated lists. The ‘Listen Now’ tab also provides personalized recommendations based on your habits.