Downloading podcast episodes lets them play without a live internet connection. That is useful before flights, commutes, runs, road trips, or any place where streaming would waste mobile data or stop when signal drops.
These steps use Apple’s built-in Podcasts app on iOS 15 or later.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want one episode saved manually, new episodes from a show downloaded automatically, or downloaded podcasts cleaned up so they do not fill your iPhone storage.
Download a Single Episode
- Open the Podcasts app.
- Find the show and episode you want.
- Tap the download arrow next to the episode or on its detail page.
- Wait until the download changes to a finished/checkmark state before going offline.
Downloaded episodes are marked so you can tell which ones are stored locally and which would still need streaming.
Turn On Automatic Downloads for a Show
- Open Podcasts and go to the show page.
- Tap the three-dot menu beside the show name.
- Open Settings.
- Enable the download or auto-download option shown for that show.
- Choose an episode limit if Podcasts asks how many recent episodes to keep.
New episodes can download automatically when available, usually over Wi-Fi unless your cellular settings allow mobile downloads.
Control Data and Storage
Avoid Cellular Downloads
Open Settings > Podcasts and turn off cellular data or set downloads to Wi-Fi only, depending on your iOS version.
Remove Downloaded Episodes
In Podcasts, tap Library > Downloaded. Swipe left on an episode and remove the download. The episode listing remains available if you want to download it again later.
Use Episode Limits
A show’s episode limit controls how many downloaded episodes are kept before older ones are removed automatically.
Check iPhone Storage
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and open Podcasts to see how much space saved episodes are using.
Sources
- Apple Support: Download episodes in Podcasts on iPhone
- Apple Support: Follow shows in Podcasts on iPhone
- Apple Support: Manage storage for the Podcasts app