Podcasts have become an increasingly popular medium for people to get their entertainment, news, education, and more on the go. With origins dating back to the early 2000s, podcasts have evolved from a niche offering to a mainstream media category. According to a 2021 study by Edison Research, an estimated 116 million Americans are now monthly podcast listeners.
With so many great podcasts out there on every topic imaginable, you don’t want to miss out just because you use an Android phone instead of an iPhone. The good news is that there are plenty of easy ways to find and listen to podcasts on Android. In this guide, we’ll walk through five simple methods to listen to podcasts on your Android device.
Method 1: Use the Google Podcasts App
The simplest way to get started with podcasts on Android is to use the Google Podcasts app. Here‘s how:
Step 1: Install the Google Podcasts App
Open the Play Store on your Android device and search for "Google Podcasts." Tap on the first result, then tap "Install." The app will download and install on your phone.
Step 2: Browse Podcasts or Search
Open the Google Podcasts app on your device. You can browse podcasts by category or tap in the search bar at the top to look for a specific podcast.
Step 3: Tap a Podcast to View Episodes
When you find a podcast you want to check out, tap on its icon or name to open it. You‘ll see a list of episodes from newest to oldest.
Step 4: Tap Play to Listen
To listen to an episode, simply tap the play icon next to the episode name or description. The podcast will begin streaming right away.
Step 5: Subscribe to Follow New Episodes
If it‘s a podcast you want to continue following, tap the “Subscribe” button below the episode list to subscribe and get notified about new episodes.
The Google Podcasts app provides an easy way to find and listen to podcasts without any hassle. You can download episodes for offline listening too.
Method 2: Listen Through the Podcast Website
Another simple option is to listen directly through the podcast‘s official website, if they offer that capability. Here‘s how it works:
Step 1: Search for the Podcast Website
Open your preferred web browser on your Android device and search for the name of the podcast or its website URL. Tap the result to open the website.
Step 2: Find the Play Button
Look around the website for a prominent play button, audio player, or link to the latest episode. Tap it to start playing the podcast.
Step 3: Browse Other Episodes
While listening, browse around for links to other episodes you can queue up or play next.
The benefit of listening directly through the podcast website is you don‘t need any third-party apps. The downside is that you have to search for and open a different website for each one.
Method 3: Get a Dedicated Podcast App
For the most robust podcast listening experience on Android, download a dedicated podcast app. Popular options include:
- Pocket Casts – Full-featured podcast player with discovery tools, custom playlists, cloud syncing between devices, and more.
- Castbox – Discover over 100 million podcasts with good recommendation features. Ability to share clips.
- Podcast Addict – Excellent podcatcher with advanced audio settings, playback speed control, and OPML import/export.
- Spotify – Streaming music service that now includes millions of podcasts. Syncs playlists across mobile and desktop.
Let‘s take a look at how to use Podcast Addict to listen to podcasts as an example:
Step 1: Install Podcast Addict
Search for "Podcast Addict" in the Play Store and tap Install to download the free app.
Step 2: Browse Categories or Search
Open Podcast Addict and tap the search icon to search for a podcast by name. Or browse top charts by category.
Step 3: Open the Podcast Page
Tap a search result or podcast listing to open the podcast‘s page. Here you can view episodes and see options to subscribe, autodownload new episodes, and more.
Step 4: Tap Play to Listen
To start listening, simply tap the play icon next to any episode. You can adjust the playback speed if desired.
Step 5: Subscribe and Manage Podcasts
Tap the "+" icon next to "Subscriptions" to subscribe to the podcast and receive notifications when new episodes are released. Manage all your podcasts in the library.
Dedicated podcast apps like Podcast Addict give you enhanced tools for discovering, subscribing, and listening to podcasts on your Android device. The experience is similar across most other top podcast apps.
Method 4: Stream Podcasts on YouTube
Believe it or not, many podcasts actually simulcast video versions of their episodes on YouTube. This gives you another option for listening on Android. Here‘s how it works:
Step 1: Search YouTube for the Podcast
Open the YouTube app on your Android device. Tap in the search bar at the top and type the name of the podcast you want to find.
Step 2: Select a Video Episode
Browse the search results and tap a video episode of the podcast to open it. Many podcast YouTube channels will have the podcast logo as the channel icon.
Step 3: Tap Play
With the video open, tap the play button just like any other YouTube video to start the audio.
Step 4: Listen to the Podcast
You can now listen to the podcast episode with regular YouTube playback controls while doing other tasks on your device.
Streaming podcasts through YouTube is convenient but has some limitations—like the inability to listen when the app is background or while your phone is locked without a YouTube Premium subscription.
Method 5: Browse Apple Podcasts Directory
Even as an Android user, you can access Apple‘s massive podcast directory on the web at podcasts.apple.com. Here‘s how:
Step 1: Go to Apple Podcasts Website
Open your browser and go to podcasts.apple.com. You‘ll see Apple‘s podcast categories and charts.
Step 2: Search for a Podcast
Tap in the search bar at the top of the page and enter the name of the podcast you want to find. Select it from the search results.
Step 3: Tap an Episode
You‘ll see a list of episodes for that podcast. Tap any episode title to open the page.
Step 4: Press Play
Look for the prominent play button on the episode page and tap it to start streaming the audio.
You can discover and listen to almost any podcast through the Apple directory. The interface isn‘t ideal for mobile, but it works in a pinch.
Listen to Your Favorite Podcasts on Android!
And there you have it—five easy methods to find, subscribe, and listen to podcasts on your Android device! With top apps like Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Spotify, and more, Android users have plenty of options to enjoy podcasts on the go.
Listening to podcasts is a great way to pass time while commuting, exercising, doing chores, or relaxing. Expand your knowledge, get entertained, or keep up with the news by following your favorite podcast shows. Give some of these podcast listening options a try on your Android phone or tablet. Happy podcasting!