Podcasts have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, offering a vast library of information and entertainment right at our fingertips. But what happens when you're finished with a podcast, or simply want to declutter your iPhone? Deleting podcasts is surprisingly simple, but the method depends slightly on whether you're deleting a single episode or the entire podcast subscription. This guide will walk you through both scenarios, ensuring you can reclaim valuable storage space and keep your podcast app organized.
How to Delete a Single Podcast Episode from iPhone
This is the most common scenario. You've listened to an episode, and you're ready to remove it from your device. Here's how to do it:
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Open the Podcasts app: Locate the purple Podcasts app icon on your iPhone's home screen and tap it to open.
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Navigate to the podcast: Find the podcast containing the episode you wish to delete.
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Locate the episode: Scroll through the episode list until you find the specific episode you want to remove.
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Swipe left: Swipe left on the episode title. This will reveal a red "Delete" button.
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Tap "Delete": Tap the red "Delete" button to remove the episode from your iPhone. The episode will be removed from your device's storage, but it will remain available to download again if you're subscribed to the podcast.
How to Delete an Entire Podcast from iPhone
Sometimes, you may want to remove an entire podcast from your iPhone, rather than individual episodes. This frees up significantly more space, especially if you've downloaded many episodes. Here's the process:
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Open the Podcasts app: Again, open the Podcasts app on your iPhone.
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Go to your Library: At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a tab labeled "Library." Tap it.
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Locate the podcast: Scroll through your list of subscribed podcasts until you find the one you want to delete.
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Tap the "i" icon: To the right of the podcast's name, you'll see a small "i" icon within a circle. Tap this icon.
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Scroll to "Delete Podcast": Scroll down the podcast's information page. You should find an option that says "Delete Podcast."
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Confirm deletion: Tap "Delete Podcast" to confirm your action. This will remove all downloaded episodes of that podcast from your device. You can always resubscribe later if you change your mind.
How Do I Delete Downloaded Podcasts and Keep the Subscription?
This question frequently arises. You may want to clear storage space without losing your place in a podcast or your subscription. This is perfectly achievable:
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Follow steps 1-4 from "How to Delete an Entire Podcast from iPhone," locating the podcast you wish to clear.
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Instead of tapping "Delete Podcast," look for options to manage downloads. The wording might vary slightly depending on your iOS version, but you'll generally find an option to view downloaded episodes or manage storage. This usually involves an option to "Delete Downloaded Episodes".
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Choose "Delete Downloaded Episodes": Selecting this option removes all downloaded content, but you retain your subscription and any progress you've made on episodes you've started listening to. Next time you connect to the internet the episodes will be available for download again.
What if I Can't Find the Podcast I Want to Delete?
If you're having trouble locating a specific podcast, try the following:
- Search: Use the search bar within the Podcasts app to search for the podcast's name.
- Check your Library's Organization: Ensure your Library isn't sorted in a way that's hiding the podcast (e.g., by date, alphabetically, etc.). Try changing the sorting options.
- Check for Updates: Ensure your Podcasts app is up-to-date. An outdated app might sometimes have glitches affecting the display of podcasts.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your podcast library on your iPhone, deleting unwanted episodes or entire podcasts with ease. Remember to regularly check your storage to prevent your device from becoming cluttered.
