The simplest way to download a podcast
Most podcast apps let you download episodes with a single tap or click. Open the app, find the episode you want, and look for a download button — usually a downward arrow or cloud icon. The episode then saves to your device so you can listen without an internet connection.
The exact steps depend on which app you use. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and third-party apps like Pocket Casts all work slightly differently, but the principle is the same: find the episode, tap download, and the file lands on your device.
If you don't have a podcast app yet, you'll need to install one first. Your phone probably came with one built in — iPhone users have Apple Podcasts, Android users have Google Podcasts (now part of Google Play Music). You can also download other apps from your phone's app store.
Key Takeaways
- Most podcast apps download episodes with a single tap on a download icon, usually a downward arrow or cloud symbol.
- Downloaded episodes stay on your device until you delete them, so you can listen offline without using data.
- Different apps store downloaded files in different places, but you don't need to find them manually — the app manages them for you.
- If your device runs low on storage space, deleting old downloaded episodes frees up room for new ones.
How to download in Apple Podcasts
Open Apple Podcasts and search for or navigate to the show you want. Tap the episode title to open it. You'll see a cloud icon with a downward arrow next to the episode name — tap that icon once. The episode downloads and the icon changes to show a filled circle, meaning it's ready to listen offline.
To download entire seasons at once, open the show page, tap the three dots in the upper right, and select "Download All Episodes" or "Download Season". This works best if you have WiFi and plenty of storage space, since a full season can take up several hundred megabytes.
Downloaded episodes stay in your library until you manually delete them. To remove one, swipe left on the episode name and tap the trash icon, or tap "Edit" and select multiple episodes to delete at once.
How to download in Spotify
Open Spotify and find the podcast episode. Tap the three dots next to the episode title and select "Download Episode". A checkmark appears when the download finishes. You can also toggle the download switch at the top of a show's page to download new episodes automatically as they release.
Downloaded episodes appear in your "Downloads" section, which you can find by tapping "Your Library" and then the "Downloads" tab. Spotify stores these files on your device, but the app handles all the storage management — you don't need to find the files yourself.
Spotify's free plan limits how many devices can have downloads at once, and downloaded episodes expire after 30 days if you don't listen to them. Spotify Premium removes both restrictions.
How to download in Google Podcasts and other Android apps
Google Podcasts (which is being merged into YouTube Music) shows a download icon next to each episode — tap it to save the episode to your device. The icon fills in once the download completes. You can find all your downloads in the "Downloads" section of the app.
If you use a different Android app like Pocket Casts, AntennaPod, or Podcast Addict, look for a download icon (usually a downward arrow or cloud) next to each episode. Tap it once, and the episode saves locally. Each app stores downloads slightly differently, but they all keep them organized within the app itself.
Android gives you more control over where files land than iOS does. Some apps let you choose which folder on your device stores downloads, which is useful if you want to move podcast files to a computer later or manage storage manually.
Understanding storage and offline listening
Downloaded episodes use storage space on your device — usually 20 to 100 megabytes per episode, depending on length and audio quality. If your phone or computer is running low on space, deleting old downloaded episodes is one of the fastest ways to free up room.
The main reason to download is to listen without using your data plan. If you're on WiFi, you can stream episodes without downloading. If you're on a limited data plan or expect to be without internet (on a plane, in a remote area, or during a commute with poor signal), downloading beforehand saves your data.
Most apps let you set download preferences — some can download new episodes automatically over WiFi only, or delete old episodes after you've listened to them. Check your app's settings to adjust these options to match how you listen.
Downloading podcasts to a computer
If you want to download episodes to a Mac or Windows computer, the process depends on your app. iTunes (on older Macs) and the Apple Podcasts app (on newer Macs and Windows) both let you right-click an episode and select "Download" or look for a download button in the episode details.
On Windows, you can also use third-party apps like Podcast Addict or gPodder, which give you more control over where files save and how they're organized. These apps download episodes as MP3 files you can move, copy, or organize however you want.
If you want to download a single episode from a website (not through an app), right-click the download link and select "Save Link As" or "Save Audio As". The file saves to your Downloads folder, and you can move it anywhere on your computer afterward.
What to do if a download fails
If an episode won't download, check that you have an active internet connection and enough storage space on your device. Most apps need at least 100 megabytes free to download new episodes.
If the connection is fine and you have space, try closing the app completely and opening it again. If that doesn't work, restart your device — this clears temporary files that might be blocking the download. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the app, which usually fixes download issues without affecting your subscriptions.
Some episodes become unavailable if the podcast creator removes them or if the show ends. In those cases, the download button may disappear or the download may fail. This is rare, but it's why it's good practice to listen to important episodes soon after downloading them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a podcast episode and send it to someone else?
Technically, yes — the file is on your device. But most podcasts are copyrighted, so sharing them without permission violates copyright law. The legal way to share is to send the person a link to the episode in the app or on the podcast's website, so they can listen through their own subscription.
Do downloaded episodes use data when I listen to them?
No. Once an episode is fully downloaded, listening to it uses no data at all. This is the main reason people download — to listen on planes, during commutes with poor signal, or on limited data plans.
What happens to my downloads if I uninstall the app?
They disappear. Uninstalling an app removes all its files, including downloaded episodes. If you reinstall the app later, your subscriptions usually come back, but you'll need to download episodes again.
Can I download a podcast episode from a website directly?
Yes. Most podcast websites have a download link next to each episode. Right-click it and select "Save Link As" to download the MP3 file to your computer. You can then move it to your phone or organize it however you want.
How much storage do podcasts usually take up?
A typical one-hour episode is 30 to 60 megabytes, depending on audio quality. A full season of 10 episodes might use 300 to 600 megabytes. If you download many shows, they can add up quickly, so regularly deleting old episodes helps keep your device running smoothly.