Podcasts are audio shows you download or stream to your phone, computer, or smart speaker
A podcast is a series of audio episodes — usually 20 minutes to an hour long — that you listen to on demand rather than at a scheduled broadcast time. You find them through a podcast app, which is software that searches for shows, downloads episodes, and plays them back. The app handles the technical work of finding new episodes automatically and organizing them so you don't have to visit a website each time.
You have three main ways to listen: through a dedicated podcast app on your phone or tablet, through a web browser on your computer, or through a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo or Google Home. Most people start with a phone app because it lets you listen while doing other things — commuting, exercising, cooking — and you can pause and pick up where you left off.
Key Takeaways
- Every smartphone comes with a built-in podcast app (Apple Podcasts on iPhone, Google Podcasts on Android), so you don't need to buy or install anything to start listening.
- You search for a show by name in the app, then tap a button to subscribe, which means the app will automatically download new episodes when they come out.
- Podcast apps let you control playback speed, skip forward or backward by 15 or 30 seconds, and pick up where you left off across all your devices.
- Most podcasts are free to listen to, though some shows charge a subscription fee or ask for donations through the app.
Finding podcasts through your phone's built-in app
If you have an iPhone, open the app called Apple Podcasts. If you have an Android phone, open Google Podcasts (or Google Play Music on older Android versions). Both apps come pre-installed, so you don't need to download anything. Tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen and type the name of a podcast you want to hear — for example, "This American Life" or "The Daily".
When you find the show, you'll see the cover art, a description of what the podcast is about, and a list of recent episodes. Tap the button that says "Subscribe" (on Apple Podcasts) or the plus sign (on Google Podcasts). This tells the app to automatically download new episodes when the creator releases them. You can then tap any episode to start listening immediately, or the app will download it in the background so you can listen later without using data.
Once you subscribe, the show appears in your library or feed, and you can see all episodes in one place. Most apps let you sort by date, mark episodes as played, or delete old ones to save space on your phone.
Listening on your computer through a web browser
You don't need an app to listen on a computer. Go to podcasts.apple.com (for Apple Podcasts) or podcasts.google.com (for Google Podcasts) in any web browser. Search for the show you want, click Subscribe, and you can start playing episodes right in the browser. Your subscriptions sync across your devices, so if you subscribe on your phone, the show will also appear in your browser.
Some podcasters also host their shows on their own websites, where you can listen directly or find links to other platforms. For example, NPR shows like "Fresh Air" can be played on NPR.org, and you can also find them in any podcast app.
Using a smart speaker to listen hands-free
If you have an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or another smart speaker, you can ask it to play a podcast by voice. Say "Alexa, play The Daily" (on Amazon devices) or "Hey Google, play The Daily" (on Google devices), and the speaker will start playing the latest episode. You can ask it to pause, skip forward, or go to the next episode without touching anything.
Smart speakers pull from the same podcast libraries as the apps and websites, so the same shows are available. If you have a subscription through your phone app, the speaker can access it, though the setup varies by device — check your speaker's manual or the manufacturer's website for pairing instructions.
Understanding podcast subscriptions and costs
The vast majority of podcasts are free. You don't pay to subscribe in the app — "subscribe" just means you're telling the app to follow that show and download new episodes. The creator makes money through ads read during the episode, sponsorships, or listener donations.
Some shows charge a fee to listen to all episodes or to access bonus content. Premium shows like those on Luminary or Patreon require a paid subscription, usually $5 to $15 per month, and you access them through a special app or link rather than a standard podcast app. Before you pay, check whether the show offers a free tier with recent episodes and a paid tier for archives or bonus material.
Controlling playback and managing your library
Podcast apps include features that make listening easier. You can speed up playback to 1.25x or 1.5x speed to listen faster, or slow it down if the speaker talks quickly. Most apps let you skip forward or backward by 15 or 30 seconds with a single tap, which is useful if you miss something or want to skip an ad.
The app remembers where you stopped in each episode, so if you pause mid-episode on your phone, you can pick up at that exact spot on your computer or speaker. You can mark episodes as played or unplayed, add them to a queue to listen in a specific order, or delete them to free up storage space. Some apps let you create playlists of episodes from different shows.
Troubleshooting common podcast problems
If an episode won't download, check that your phone or computer is connected to the internet and that you have enough storage space. Try closing the app completely and opening it again. If a show hasn't updated in a long time, the creator may have stopped producing it — you can unsubscribe and remove it from your library.
If you can't find a podcast you're looking for, try searching by the creator's name instead of the show title, or check the show's website to see which platforms it's on. Some independent podcasts are only available on certain apps or websites. If you subscribed on one device but don't see the show on another, make sure you're signed into the same account — subscriptions sync only when you're logged in with the same email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for a podcast app?
No. Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and most other podcast apps are free to download and use. You don't pay to subscribe to shows or listen to episodes. Some third-party apps like Pocket Casts charge a one-time fee or monthly subscription, but they're optional — the built-in apps work just as well for most listeners.
Can I listen to podcasts offline?
Yes. Once an episode downloads to your phone, you can listen to it without an internet connection. Most apps download new episodes automatically when you're on Wi-Fi, so you can listen during a flight or in an area without cell service. Check your app's settings to choose how many episodes to keep downloaded at once.
What's the difference between streaming and downloading a podcast?
Streaming plays the episode directly from the internet without saving it to your device, which uses data. Downloading saves the episode to your phone so you can listen anytime without data. Most podcast apps let you choose which episodes to download and which to stream on demand.
Can I share a podcast episode with someone else?
Yes. Most podcast apps have a share button that creates a link to the episode. You can send it through text, email, or social media, and the person who receives it can open the link in their browser or podcast app to listen. Some apps let you share a specific timestamp so the person starts listening at a particular moment in the episode.
Why does my podcast app show different episodes than my friend's?
Different podcast apps sometimes index shows differently or update at different times. A show might be available on Apple Podcasts but not yet on Google Podcasts, or vice versa. If you can't find a show in one app, try searching in another app or visiting the show's website to find a link to all the platforms where it's available.