How to Download Podcasts on Your Listening Platform: 5 Ways

Podcasts are rising in popularity, with approximately 464.7 million listeners tuning in from around the globe. 

If you want to listen on the go, you must know how to download your podcasts quickly and easily. Doing so can help ensure you always have access to the content you care about, anytime, anywhere. 

So how can you download your favorite podcasts to your chosen listening platform? We’re explaining the process for our 5 top platform recommendations. 

Can you download podcasts to play offline?

Many podcast listeners tune in while performing other tasks, often taking you out of the house and away from a stable internet connection. 

Whether you like to listen on your commute or while exercising at the gym, downloading podcasts ahead of time can help. You can easily listen offline by downloading your podcasts to your device in advance. Like this, you can consume great shows even when you don’t have access to wifi or don’t want to eat up your mobile data.

What devices can you download a podcast to?

You can download podcasts to most devices where you can listen to them! 

Many podcast listeners download episodes on mobile devices, including iOS and Android phones and tablets. This option is usually the most practical, as it allows you to store downloaded shows on a compact, easy-to-carry device. However, you can also download podcasts to a PC if needed. 

How to download podcasts on your listening platform of choice: 5 ways

On most listening platforms, downloading podcasts is quick and simple. Here are the easiest ways to download shows using 5 of the most popular listening outlets. 

How to download a podcast on Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts is a popular listening channel for Mac and iOS users. With Apple Podcasts, you can access an incredible range of shows across various topics. Research shows that 96% of podcast hosts list their content on Apple Podcasts, so you can usually count on finding your favorite creators. 

Follow these steps to download a podcast on Apple Podcasts. 

Step 1: Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device, preferably an iPhone. 

Step 2: Use the search bar at the bottom of your screen to look for the name of your favorite creator or show. 

Step 3: When you find the show you’re looking for, tap on its listing. 

Step 4: Scroll to find the podcast episode you want to download. 

Step 5: Once you’ve found the episode you want, press the ellipsis icon beside the episode title.

Step 6: From the dropdown menu that appears, select ‘Download Episode’, and wait for your download to finalize. 

Optional: If you want to automatically download new episodes of a particular podcast, follow the main podcast!

How to download a podcast on Spotify

Spotify is another popular podcast streaming platform, suitable for both iOS and Android users. According to recent research, 31% of young Americans use Spotify to access their podcasts. The app provides an extensive collection of shows with great listening functionality.

Follow these steps to download a podcast on Spotify. 

Step 1: Open the Spotify app on your mobile device, and use the search bar to look for your show.

Step 2: To add the podcast to your library, you can either Follow the whole show or you can add specific episodes to a playlist. Simply select the three-dotted menu next to the episode you want to add, then select “Add to playlist’.

Step 3: When you’ve found the correct episode, select the ellipsis icon underneath the episode tile. 

Step 4: Choose Download from the dropdown menu, and wait for your download to complete. 

How to download a podcast on Audible

While Audible is best known for its audiobooks, it’s also a great platform for listening to podcasts. Audible is compatible with a range of devices and offers access to an excellent range of some of the world’s most popular podcast productions. You can even access free shows with just an Amazon account!

Follow these steps to download a podcast on Audible. 

Step 1: Download and launch the Audible app on your mobile device.

Step 2: On iOS, tap Discover, then Podcasts. On Android, tap Menu in the top left corner, then Browse, followed by Podcasts. 

Step 3: Find and select the podcast you want to download. 

Step 4: Select View all episodes for the relevant podcast. 

Step 5: Click on the episode you want to download. On iOS, select Download episode. On Android, select Download. 

How to download a podcast on Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts is another popular listening option for both iOS and Android. The platform is home to a large podcast library. The system is simple and easy to use with great options for listening on the go, all while integrating as part of your existing Google account. 

Follow these steps to download a podcast on Google Podcasts. 

Step 1: Open Google Podcasts on your device. 

Step 2: Use the search bar in the Explore tab to search for your chosen podcast. 

Step 3: Click on the show you want to listen to. 

Step 4: Scroll down to find the episode you want to download. 

Step 5: Press the down arrow icon next to the episode, and wait for your podcast episode to process and download. 

How to download a podcast on YouTube

Well-loved for its video-sharing capabilities, YouTube can also be a good place to stream podcasts. For YouTube, podcasts are a relatively new feature as part of the site’s music offering and are currently only available in the US. Already, many users are turning to the platform as a hub for fresh audio content.

Follow these steps to download a podcast on YouTube. 

Step 1: Download and launch the Youtube Music app on your device.

Step 2: Navigate to the Podcasts menu, selecting this option at the top of your screen.

Step 3: Find and click on the podcast show you want to listen to.

Step 4: Scroll down to locate the podcast episode you want to download. 

Step 5: Beside the relevant episode, select the three-dotted menu and then the Download button before waiting for downloading to complete.

You can then find your podcast downloads in your library.

FAQs on how to download a podcast

Still unsure about how to download a podcast for on-the-go listening through your favorite platform? Here are our answers to a few frequently asked questions. 

How to download podcasts for free?

Many of the most popular streaming platforms offer free access to podcast episodes! You can access and download free podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube Music. 

How do I download a podcast on my iPhone?

Downloading a podcast to your iPhone is easy! Select the listening platform you’d like to use. Then follow the steps listed above to locate the episode you want and download it for offline listening later. 

Can I listen to podcasts without wifi?

If you want to listen to podcasts without reliable wifi access, you’ll need to download the episodes to your device ahead of time, while you still have stable internet connection. Once you download episodes, you can access them even when you’re off the grid. 

Interested in learning more about the world of podcasting or even starting your own podcast show? Visit the Riverside blog to learn more.