How to Delete Podcasts: A Complete Guide for Every App and Device
Whether you're freeing up storage space, decluttering your library, or just done with a show, deleting podcasts is a straightforward task — once you know where to look. The tricky part is that the steps vary significantly depending on which app you use and which device you're on. Here's what you need to know.
Why Deleting Podcasts Actually Matters
Podcast episodes — especially long-form ones — can be surprisingly large. A single hour-long episode in high-quality audio typically runs 50–100 MB. If you've subscribed to a dozen shows with automatic downloads enabled, that storage adds up fast. Deleted episodes free that space immediately, while unsubscribing prevents future downloads from piling up.
There's also a difference between removing a downloaded episode (deleting the local file) and unsubscribing from a show (stopping future episodes from appearing). Most people need both at some point, but they're separate actions in nearly every app.
How to Delete Podcasts on the Most Common Platforms
Apple Podcasts (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
On iOS/iPadOS, open the Podcasts app, find the episode you want to remove, and long-press it. Tap Remove Download to delete the local file while keeping the episode in your library. To remove it entirely, tap Delete from Library.
To bulk-remove downloads, go to Settings → Podcasts and look for options to limit downloads or delete played episodes automatically.
On Mac, right-click an episode and choose Remove Download or Delete Episode depending on what you want to keep.
Spotify
Spotify handles podcasts differently from dedicated podcast apps. Episodes you've saved appear in Your Library. To remove one, tap the three-dot menu next to the episode and select Remove from Downloads (for offline copies) or Remove from Library.
Spotify doesn't support manual RSS subscriptions, so your management options are tied entirely to what's available within their ecosystem.
Google Podcasts / YouTube Music
Google migrated Google Podcasts users to YouTube Music in 2024. Within YouTube Music, podcast management works through your library and subscription settings. Downloaded episodes can be removed by long-pressing the episode and selecting the delete or remove option from the context menu.
Pocket Casts
One of the more feature-rich apps, Pocket Casts lets you delete individual episodes or set up auto-cleanup rules that remove played episodes after a set period. To manually delete, swipe left on an episode (iOS) or long-press (Android) and tap Delete Download.
Its Files section and episode filters also let you sort by downloaded status, making bulk deletion easier.
Overcast and Other Third-Party Apps 🎙️
Apps like Overcast, Castro, and Podcast Addict follow similar patterns: swipe gestures or long-press menus reveal delete options. Most also offer auto-delete settings under their storage or playback preferences, which handle cleanup automatically once an episode is played.
Deleting Podcasts on Android vs. iOS: Key Differences
| Factor | iOS (Apple Podcasts) | Android (varies by app) |
|---|---|---|
| Default app | Apple Podcasts | No single default |
| Bulk delete | Limited in-app, more in Settings | Varies widely by app |
| Auto-delete options | Yes (Settings menu) | Usually yes, per-app |
| Storage visibility | iPhone Storage in Settings | App-level or device storage |
On Android, there's no universal podcast app, so the exact steps depend on which app you've installed. The general pattern holds — long-press or swipe to reveal delete — but menu labels and settings locations differ.
Understanding the Difference: Downloads vs. Subscriptions vs. Library
Many users delete a downloaded file but stay subscribed, which means new episodes keep downloading automatically. To fully stop a podcast from taking up space:
- Delete existing downloads — removes current local files
- Turn off auto-download for that show — stops future downloads
- Unsubscribe — removes the show from your library entirely
Doing only step one without step two means the problem returns with the next episode release. Most apps bury the auto-download toggle inside the show's settings page, not the main episode list.
Storage Settings Worth Knowing About 📱
On iPhone, go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Podcasts to see a full breakdown of how much space your episodes are using and to offload the app data if needed.
On Android, check Settings → Apps → [Your Podcast App] → Storage for similar information. Some podcast apps also have their own internal storage dashboard worth checking first.
Smart cleanup features — available in apps like Pocket Casts and Overcast — can automate much of this by deleting episodes after playback or limiting the number of downloaded episodes per show. These settings dramatically reduce how often you need to delete manually.
The Variables That Determine Your Experience
How straightforward or complex this process feels depends on several factors:
- Which app you use — dedicated podcast apps generally offer more granular control than general-purpose streaming apps like Spotify
- How many shows you follow — one or two subscriptions is easy to manage manually; thirty requires auto-cleanup rules
- Auto-download settings — if you've never adjusted these, your app may be downloading far more than you realize
- Device storage pressure — users on devices with limited storage (64GB or less) often need more aggressive cleanup habits than those with ample space
Someone who listens to one true-crime show on Spotify has an entirely different management situation than someone running fifteen RSS subscriptions through Pocket Casts on Android. The right approach — manual or automated, per-episode or bulk — comes down to how you actually use podcasts and what your current setup looks like. 🎧