To follow a podcast on Spotify, open the show and tap Follow. It’s saved to Your Library under Podcasts, and new episodes show up automatically. To listen offline, tap the download arrow next to an episode. Free accounts can download podcasts, unlike music.
This guide covers following and unfollowing shows, saving single episodes, downloading for offline listening, download settings, and removing downloads. It follows Spotify’s Podcasts and shows and Listen offline support articles.
How to Follow a Podcast on Spotify
- Tap Search, then search for the podcast, or tap Podcasts under Browse All to explore.
- Open the podcast’s page.
- Tap Follow.
Result: Spotify saves the show to Your Library under Podcasts, and new episodes save automatically. To see the latest episodes from shows you follow, tap Home > Podcasts > Following.
How to Save a Single Episode
- Tap the add button on an episode to save it to the Your Episodes playlist in Your Library.
- To save it to a different playlist, use the same button and pick or create a playlist.
- To remove a saved episode, tap the menu next to the episode title and choose the remove option.
How to Download a Podcast Episode
- Make sure you’re online.
- Open the podcast and find the episode.
- Tap the download arrow.
Result: the arrow turns green when the download is done, and the episode plays without an internet connection. Spotify notes you may need Premium to download some shows.
Download automatically
Android Headlines describes an Auto-download episodes switch in a show’s settings on the podcast page, with a Manage download settings option to choose which followed shows download and how many episodes to keep.
Download Settings to Know
- Cellular downloads: Spotify downloads over Wi-Fi by default. To allow mobile data, tap your profile picture > Settings and privacy > Data-saving and offline and turn on Downloads over cellular.
- Offline mode: in the same menu, turn on Offline mode so only downloaded content plays.
- 30-day rule: Spotify says you need to go online at least once every 30 days to keep your downloads.
- Device limit: downloads work on up to 5 devices. Downloads are removed from the device you used least recently if you go over.
Podcast Playback Controls
Spotify’s podcast article lists a few controls that make listening easier:
- Play speed: tap the speed button on the episode to listen faster or slower.
- Skip or rewind: tap the skip buttons to jump forward or back 15 seconds.
- Now Playing menu: tap the menu on a podcast to see more information, download the episode, share it, or add it to your queue.
How to Remove Downloads
- One episode: tap the green download arrow next to the episode and confirm.
- Everything: tap your profile picture > Settings and privacy > Data-saving and offline, then under Storage select Remove all downloads.
How to Unfollow a Podcast
Open the show and tap Following. Spotify removes it from Your Library.
Downloads Not Working?
- Check your internet connection and free storage. Spotify recommends at least 1GB free.
- Make sure you haven’t reached the 5-device limit.
- Turn off any cache-clearing or battery-saving apps, then restart Spotify.
- If you reinstall the app, Spotify says you’ll need to download everything again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Premium to download podcasts?
Usually not. Spotify says free accounts can download podcasts, though some shows may require Premium. Music downloads need Premium.
Can I download on a computer?
Spotify’s offline article describes the download button on desktop for playlists. Android Headlines notes podcast episode downloads aren’t available in the web player.
Related: How to Create, Save, and Edit a Playlist on Spotify and how to clear the Spotify cache. If you use the built-in Podcasts app instead, see how to follow a podcast in Apple Podcasts on iPhone.
Listening to podcasts at night? You can also set a Spotify sleep timer on iPhone so an episode stops playing after you fall asleep.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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