Podcasts App Crashing on iPhone? 10 Ways to Fix It

Podcasts are both entertaining and educational to listen to anywhere, anytime. Apple Podcasts app offers a tremendous variety to choose from so that you always have something nice to listen to. However, there may be times when the Podcasts app might malfunction unexpectedly, leaving you perplexed. Fortunately, there are a few solutions to this issue. Here’s how to fix the Podcasts app crashing on iPhone and iPad running iOS 14 or 13.

1. Force Quit the Podcasts app on iPhone
2. Delete and Reinstall the Apple Podcasts app
3. Turn ON and Off Airplane Mode on iPhone
4. Check if Apple Servers are Working or Not
5. Restart Your iPhone
6. Restart Wi-Fi router
7. Reset iPhone Network Settings
8. Reset All iPhone Settings
9. Backup your Device and Set it up as New
10. Contact Apple Support

1. Force Quit the Podcasts app

Step #1. On iPhone X and later, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen and hold; On iPhone 8 and earlier, double press the Home Button. You will see all the open apps.

Step #2. Flick the Podcasts app card to top to force quit it.

Step #3. Open the Podcasts app again.

This should prevent the app from crashing again in the near future. If it still does, read other solutions below.

2. Delete and Reinstall the Apple Podcasts app

Note: All offline downloaded Podcasts will be deleted too. You will have to download them again.

Step #1. From the iPhone home screen, touch and hold the Podcasts app icon.

Step #2. A menu will appear on your iPhone screen with a few options like Search, Edit Home Screen etc. The last one is Delete App.

Step #3. Launch the App Store and tap on Search from the bottom right. Now type Apple Podcasts and download the app.

Step #4. Open the Podcasts app again.

3. Turn ON and Off Airplane Mode on iPhone

A pretty quick and easy hack to fix this issue is by enabling Airplane Mode and then disabling it. Launch Control Centre on your iPhone and tap on the plane icon. Wait for 10 seconds and again tap on the same plane icon to turn off Airplane Mode.

Note: Additionally, you may try to download an episode beforehand and play it while in Airplane mode (or with Wi-Fi and Mobile Data off). See, if the Podcasts app still crashes or not!

4. Check if Apple Servers are Working or Not

Head over to the Apple System Status page and see if iTunes in Cloud, iTunes Store, and other iTunes servers are working or not. If they are unavailable, waiting for some time is the only thing you can do.

5. Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your phone fixes a number of issues and it is recommended that you do so once every week.

• To turn OFF iPhone X and later: Press together the side power button and volume button. Drag the power off slider to the right
• To turn OFF iPhone 8 and earlier: Press the side power button and drag the power off slider to the right when you see it

If buttons are not working on your iPhone, you may go to Settings app → General → Shut Down.

Now, to switch ON your iPhone by press and hold the side power button. After this, launch the Podcasts app again and resume your listening. This should have fixed the crashing issue.

6. Restart Wi-Fi router

In solution #3 we already tried enabling Airplane mode, and in the step above we restarted the iPhone. But if those did not work, try restarting your Wi-Fi router. To do so, switch OFF the router using its power button or the wall switch. After one minute turn it back ON.

7. Reset iPhone Network Settings

Note: All Wi-Fi passwords, VPN profiles, Bluetooth device list, etc. will be lost. However, this won’t delete any data on your iPhone or iCloud. To be safe, take a backup of your device.

Step #1. Open the Settings app and go to General → Reset.

Step #2. Tap on Reset Network Settings and Enter your password and tap to confirm.

Wait for the process to complete. Once your iPhone starts, connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data and use the Podcasts app again.

8. Reset All Settings

This will reset all your settings and customizations you have made on your iPhone, including home screen app layouts and more. However, no data on iPhone or iCloud will be deleted. It is strongly recommended that you make a full backup before proceeding.

Step #1. Launch the Settings app and navigate to General → Reset.

Step #2. Tap on Reset All Settings and Enter your password and tap to confirm.

After the reset process is complete, set up your iPhone, connect to Wi-Fi or Mobile Data, and try to use the Apple Podcasts app again.

9. Backup your Device and Set it up as New

This is a bit harsh and extreme as it requires you to start from scratch. If none of the able solutions were helpful in your case, you might have to go this path before contacting Apple Support. These step by step post will assist you:

• Restore iPhone and iPad using iTunes/Finder or iCloud Backup

10. Contact Apple Support

As the last resort, you may contact Apple Support, give them your feedback or wait for Apple to acknowledge this crashing issue, and publish a fix. Also, keep an eye on iOS updates. This is a widespread issue and it will certainly be fixed soon. A straightforward and effortless option is to enable automatic software update on the iPhone and iPad.

I hope one of the various fixes worked for you and now you are back to enjoying your favorite Podcasts. If you have some other fix or hack that addresses this problem, please share it with us in the comments below or on our social channels.

You will love to check these:

• How to Record and Broadcast Podcasts on iPad with Minimal Equipment
• How to Remove Shows and Episodes from Podcasts App