Delete a podcast by swiping left on its title

Open the Podcasts app on your iPhone and find the podcast you want to remove. Press and hold the podcast title, or swipe left across it. A red Delete button will appear on the right side. Tap it, and the podcast is gone from your library.

This removes the podcast from your list but does not affect the show itself — it stays on Apple's servers. You can re-add it anytime by searching for it again in the Podcasts app.

Key Takeaways

  • Swipe left on any podcast title in your library to reveal a red Delete button.
  • Deleting a podcast from your iPhone does not delete the show from Apple's servers or affect other devices signed into your account.
  • You can also delete individual episodes by swiping left on them within a podcast's episode list.
  • If you want to remove all traces of a podcast across your devices, you must delete it from each device separately.

Delete individual episodes instead of the whole podcast

If you only want to remove certain episodes, open the podcast and look at its episode list. Swipe left on the episode you want to delete and tap the red Delete button. The episode disappears from your device, but the podcast itself stays in your library.

This is useful when you want to keep the podcast but free up storage space by removing old or unwanted episodes. New episodes will still download automatically if you have that setting turned on.

Remove a podcast using the Edit button

Another way to delete is through the Edit menu. Open the Podcasts app and tap Edit in the upper left corner (or upper right, depending on your iOS version). Red circles appear next to each podcast. Tap the circle next to the podcast you want to remove, then tap Delete at the bottom of the screen.

This method works the same as swiping but can be easier if you want to delete multiple podcasts at once. You can tap several circles before hitting Delete to remove them all in one action.

Understand what happens when you delete

Deleting a podcast from your iPhone removes it from the Podcasts app on that device only. If you use the same Apple ID on another iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the podcast will still appear in the Podcasts app on those devices. You must delete it separately on each device if you want it gone everywhere.

Your listening history and subscriptions are tied to your Apple ID, not to individual devices. If you delete a podcast and then re-subscribe to it later, the app will remember where you left off in any episodes you had already started.

Free up storage by deleting downloaded episodes

Podcasts take up storage space on your iPhone, especially if you have set them to download automatically. Deleting episodes removes that storage use. Go into the podcast, swipe left on episodes you have already heard, and tap Delete. This keeps the podcast in your library but removes the files from your phone.

You can also manage storage in Settings. Go to Settings > Podcasts and look for options to delete old episodes automatically or limit how many episodes are stored at once.

Recover a deleted podcast

If you delete a podcast by mistake, you can get it back. Open the Podcasts app and search for the podcast by name. When you find it, tap the Subscribe button (or the plus icon, depending on your iOS version). The podcast returns to your library with all your previous subscriptions and history intact.

The only thing you lose is the actual episode files if you had downloaded them. The app will re-download them if you have automatic downloads turned on, or you can download them manually by tapping the download icon next to each episode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting a podcast from my iPhone delete it from my iPad?

No. Deleting a podcast removes it only from the device you are using. If you sign into the same Apple ID on another device, the podcast will still be there. You must delete it separately on each device if you want it removed everywhere.

Can I delete just one episode without deleting the whole podcast?

Yes. Open the podcast, find the episode you want to remove, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. The episode disappears but the podcast stays in your library and will continue to receive new episodes.

What if I delete a podcast and want it back?

Search for the podcast by name in the Podcasts app and tap Subscribe. It returns to your library with your listening history and subscriptions restored. Downloaded episode files will need to be re-downloaded if you want them on your device.

Does deleting a podcast free up storage space?

Only if the episodes were downloaded to your phone. Deleting the podcast removes the downloaded files. If you just want to save space without losing the podcast, delete individual episodes instead of the whole subscription.

Why does a deleted podcast still show up on my other devices?

Your subscriptions are stored in your Apple ID account, not on individual devices. Deleting from one device does not change what is stored in your account. Delete the podcast on each device separately, or manage your subscriptions through Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud to remove it from all devices at once.