If you're an Android user, you can still listen to Apple Podcasts. According to The Mac Observer, there are three different ways to do this: through browser, from a Podcasts website, and the manual method. Either way, Apple's dedicated Podcasts app is bringing an exciting feature for podcast streamers. The newly-discovered functionality will make it easier for users to navigate through podcast episodes.
This update allows listeners to see chapter segments as they play a specific episode, streamlining the process of finding specific content within a podcast.
Enhanced Scrubbing with Chapter Names
According to Redditor "Wristnut" as reported by MacRumors, when you go to the timeline in the Podcasts app, the chapter name appears above the scrubber line. This new feature is currently available only within the Podcasts app and not on the Lock Screen media controls in iOS 18 beta 2.
Understanding Podcast Chapters
While the ability to scrub through chapter segments is a new addition, chapters themselves are not new to many Apple Podcasts listeners.
Many podcast users might be unaware of chapters because they require manual addition by creators, and not all podcasts have adopted this feature. Creators need to specify chapters in the header of an MP4 file or modify the ID3 tags of MP3 or AAC files using third-party tools.
Accessing Chapters on Various Devices
For podcasts that do support chapters, listeners can find them by swiping up on the Now Playing screen on iOS and iPadOS or by clicking the Chapters button in the top-right corner of the Podcasts app on macOS. Additionally, creators can provide chapter-specific artwork, which is displayed on the Now Playing screen and the Lock Screen on iOS and iPadOS, adding a visual element to the audio content.
Tools for Adding Chapters
Apple Podcasts supports chapters for MP4, MP3, and AAC files, whether available from the directory or manually added to the Library via an RSS feed. Various tools can help creators add chapters, including Ferrite on iOS and iPadOS, Forecast by Overcast, Podcasts Chapters on macOS, and Vizzy on the web.
As of writing, iOS 18 is now on its second developer beta so we expect to see this feature next month, just in time for the public beta drops.
The general release is anticipated in the fall, bringing this and other enhancements to all users.
If you're an Android user, you can still listen to Apple Podcasts. According to The Mac Observer, there are three different ways to do this: through browser, from a Podcasts website, and the manual method. Either way, you can also transfer podcasts through Mac using the Android File Transfer app. You can also transfer podcasts through Mac using the Android File Transfer app.
