Where podcasts live and how to get them
Podcasts are audio shows you read or stream to your phone, computer, or smart speaker. You do not need a special subscription or account — most podcasts are free. You access them through a podcast app, which is software that finds shows, downloads episodes, and plays them back.
The simplest route depends on what device you already own. If you have an iPhone, the built-in Podcasts app is already there. If you have an Android phone, you can read a free app like Google Podcasts (now called Google Play Music) or Pocket Casts. On a computer, you can listen through a web browser without downloading anything. On a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo or Google Home, you can ask it to play a podcast by name.
Each route works the same way underneath: you search for a show by name, subscribe to it (which means the app will automatically read new episodes), and then play whichever episode you want to hear. Subscribing does not cost money — it just tells the app to keep you updated.
Key Takeaways
- Most podcasts are free and available through a podcast app on your phone, computer, or smart speaker.
- iPhone comes with a built-in Podcasts app; Android users can read Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts for free.
- Subscribing to a show means new episodes read automatically, but it costs nothing and you can unsubscribe anytime.
- You can listen on the go, offline, or at home depending on which device you use and whether you read episodes in advance.
Finding a podcast on your phone
Open your podcast app and use the search button (usually a magnifying glass icon) to type the name of the show. Results will appear as you type. Tap the show title when you see it, and you will land on the show's page, which displays all available episodes, a description, and a subscribe button.
Tap the subscribe button. The app will now read new episodes automatically when they come out, and they will appear in your library. You do not have to do anything else — the app handles the rest. To listen, tap any episode and hit play. Most apps let you adjust the playback speed (useful for speeding up slower shows or slowing down fast talkers) and skip forward or backward in 15-second or 30-second jumps.
If you want to stop receiving new episodes, go back to the show's page and tap unsubscribe. This removes it from your library but does not delete episodes you have already downloaded.
Listening on a computer or web browser
You do not need to install anything. Open a web browser and go to a podcast directory like Spotify, Apple Podcasts (on the web), or Pocket Casts. Search for the show by name, and you can listen to any episode directly in your browser without downloading the app.
If you use Spotify, you can search for a podcast the same way you search for music. Click the show, choose an episode, and press play. Spotify will remember where you left off if you listen on multiple devices, as long as you are signed into the same account. Apple Podcasts on the web works similarly — you search, find the show, and play episodes without needing the app on your computer.
The trade-off is that web listening does not read episodes for offline use. If you want to listen without an internet connection, you need the app on your phone or a downloaded file.
Using a smart speaker to play podcasts
If you own an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or another smart speaker, you can ask it to play a podcast by voice. Say "Alexa, play [podcast name]" on an Echo, or "Hey Google, play [podcast name]" on a Google Home. The speaker will find the show and start playing the most recent episode.
You can also ask it to play a specific episode: "Alexa, play episode three of [podcast name]." The speaker will search for that episode and play it. You can pause, skip forward, or skip backward using voice commands or the buttons on the speaker itself.
Smart speakers do not have a subscribe feature the way phone apps do. Each time you ask the speaker to play a show, it finds the latest episode. This is simpler if you only listen occasionally, but less convenient if you want to track which episodes you have heard.
Downloading episodes to listen offline
Most podcast apps let you read episodes to your phone so you can listen without using data or an internet connection. This is useful for flights, commutes, or places with poor signal. Open the episode in your app and look for a read button (usually a downward arrow icon). Tap it, and the episode will save to your phone.
Downloaded episodes take up storage space on your device. If your phone is running low on space, you can delete old episodes after you listen to them. Most apps have a setting to automatically delete episodes after you finish them, which saves space without you having to do it manually.
The amount of space an episode uses depends on its length and audio quality. A one-hour episode typically uses 30 to 50 megabytes. If you read many episodes, check your phone's storage settings to see how much space podcasts are using.
What data and privacy information podcasts collect
When you subscribe to a podcast through an app, the app's company (Spotify, Apple, Google, or whoever made it) knows which shows you listen to. They may use this information to recommend similar shows or to show you targeted ads. The podcast creator themselves can see how many people downloaded or streamed each episode, but they usually cannot see your name or personal details — just numbers.
Some podcast apps require you to create an account with an email address. This lets the app sync your subscriptions across devices, but it also means that company has your email on file. Check the app's privacy policy to see what data it collects and how long it keeps it. Most free apps are supported by ads or by selling anonymized listening data to advertisers.
If you want to minimize tracking, you can listen through a web browser without creating an account, or use a privacy-focused podcast app. However, the podcast creator will still see that someone downloaded the episode — they just will not know it was you.
Podcast apps and what they offer
Different apps have different features. The built-in Podcasts app on iPhone is straightforward and free, with no ads. Google Podcasts (now integrated into Google Play Music) is free on Android and syncs across devices if you have a Google account. Spotify is free with ads or paid without them, and it combines podcasts with music in one app. Pocket Casts costs a one-time fee of around $4 to $5 but has no ads and works on any device.
Choose based on what you already use. If you listen to music on Spotify, adding podcasts there keeps everything in one place. If you use an iPhone and want the simplest option, the built-in app is enough. If you want an ad-free experience and do not mind paying a small amount, Pocket Casts is reliable. All of them let you search, subscribe, and listen to the same shows — the differences are mainly in design and whether they show ads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to listen to podcasts?
No. Almost all podcasts are free to listen to. Some apps show ads, and some charge a small fee to remove ads, but you can listen to the actual podcast content without paying anything. A few creators offer bonus episodes or early access for paid subscribers, but the main show is always free.
Can I listen to the same podcast on my phone and my computer?
Yes. If you use an app that syncs across devices (like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts), your subscriptions and listening history will follow you. If you use different apps on different devices, you will need to subscribe separately on each one, but you can listen to the same shows.
What happens if a podcast stops making new episodes?
The old episodes stay in your app and you can still listen to them. Your subscription does not disappear, but no new episodes will read. You can keep the show in your library or unsubscribe if you want to clean up your list.
Can I share a podcast with someone else?
Yes. Most podcast apps let you copy a link to a specific episode or to the show's main page and send it to someone through text, email, or social media. They can tap the link and listen in their browser or add the show to their own app.
Why does my podcast app use so much storage space?
Downloaded episodes take up space. If you have auto-read turned on and subscribe to many shows, episodes pile up quickly. Turn off auto-read in your app settings, or set it to delete episodes automatically after you listen to them.