iOS 26: What's New With the Podcasts App

[MacRumors]

The Podcasts app didn't get as many iOS 26 updates as some of Apple's other apps, but there are some design changes and feature tweaks that are worth knowing about.

Liquid Glass

Like all of Apple's apps, the Podcasts app adopts the new Liquid Glass design language. UI elements have a glass-like, translucent look that let the background art shine through.

Buttons have a more rounded design and the navigation bar no longer takes up the entire bottom of the app. The Browse tab is now the New tab, and the Search tab has the search bar at the bottom of the display.

There's also an updated Liquid Glass icon that looks like several stacked layers of glass.

Updated Speed Controls

iOS 26 includes options to change the playback speed of a podcast. When you're playing a show, tap on the "1x" button in the corner and you'll be able to change the speed. Apple offers multiple playback speeds ranging from 0.5x to 3x. In iOS 18, you could only select from four fixed speed options: 1.25x, 1.5x, 1.75, and 2x.

To change the playback speed, tap one of the preset options or drag a finger over one of the options to bring up a dial that allows for more granular 0.1x adjustments.

Enhance Dialogue

The Podcasts app includes an Enhance Dialogue feature that is designed to isolate voices so they sound clearer amid any background noise.

To use Enhance Dialogue, play a show in the Podcasts app. From there, open up the fullscreen playback controls, tap the "1x" playback speed button, and choose the Enhance Dialogue option.

Per-Show Settings

The Podcasts app will remember your Enhance Dialogue and playback speed preference for each individual podcast, so it doesn't need to be turned on every time you listen and settings won't affect other podcasts.

Read More

More on the features that are available in iOS 26 can be found in our iOS 26 roundup.

Article Link: iOS 26: What's New With the Podcasts App

 

[Schtibbie]

How hard would it be for them to add a REPEAT function so we can loop a podcast? Too advanced for them?

 

[slomtbr]

One can listen to episodes "Oldest to Newest" but cannot download "Oldest to Newest"
Stupid.

 

[jbc25]

How hard would it be for them to add a REPEAT function so we can loop a podcast? Too advanced for them?

Not knocking your needs, but realistically, how many people actually want to put a podcast episode on loop?

 

[Starfia]

So Apple has updated the Podcasts app with Liquid Glass.

Fascinating. 🤔

 

[nutmac]

Better than nothing but I want Overcast's shorter silences (Smart Speed) and clear consistent volume (Voice Boost) features.

 

[Schtibbie]

Not knocking your needs, but realistically, how many people actually want to put a podcast episode on loop?

Sleep stuff. For whatever reason, some spoken or soundscape “simulated environment” noise tracks are as podcasts rather than being available in Apple Music. Now, why should THAT fact make it so I have no way to put the thing I’m listening to on repeat? I’m listening to a thing. It’s digital. I want it to repeat.

 

[Scotty_Trees]

I swear Liquid Glass is going to make me go back to Android.

 

[eifelbube]

So Apple has updated the Podcasts app with Liquid Glass.

Fascinating. 🤔

… plus speed control update, enhance dialogue feature, and per-show settings …. showing when you tap Show Full Article.
Will there ever be built-in EQ? Please, Apple.

 

[orangeadrenaline]

Sleep stuff. For whatever reason, some spoken or soundscape “simulated environment” noise tracks are as podcasts rather than being available in Apple Music. Now, why should THAT fact make it so I have no way to put the thing I’m listening to on repeat? I’m listening to a thing. It’s digital. I want it to repeat.

You’ve seen the ambient music options in control center? Just checking

 

[orangeadrenaline]

So glad I got overcast back when it was a one time purchase. I love the ability to skip X seconds at the start and end of each podcast, customized per show.

 

[Devnul0]

One can listen to episodes "Oldest to Newest" but cannot download "Oldest to Newest"
Stupid.

I reported this years and years ago. And again years ago. I have no idea why they cannot get this right.

 

[Schtibbie]

You’ve seen the ambient music options in control center? Just checking

Yes. Those samples are as short as 4 seconds in some cases. Literally. Anyway, if someone puts up a podcast of 30 minutes of forest sound or whatever, I’d like to be able to repeat it. It’s literally 2025.

 

[slomtbr]

I reported this years and years ago. And again years ago. I have no idea why they cannot get this right.

They don't care, so they don't try - can't even be bothered to reply to feedback.

 

[orangeadrenaline]

Can’t see Apple caring unless they launch Apple Podcasts +

 

[Flight Plan]

How hard would it be for them to add a REPEAT function so we can loop a podcast? Too advanced for them?

I thought we had that already. Huh. I guess not.

One can listen to episodes "Oldest to Newest" but cannot download "Oldest to Newest"
Stupid.

I've never paid any attention to the difference, and I listen to an ungodly unhealthy amount of podcast programming.

So Apple has updated the Podcasts app with Liquid Glass.

Fascinating. 🤔

Be honest...it'll just be our secret, just you and me. You didn't even bother to read the article, did you?

Sleep stuff. For whatever reason, some spoken or soundscape “simulated environment” noise tracks are as podcasts rather than being available in Apple Music. Now, why should THAT fact make it so I have no way to put the thing I’m listening to on repeat? I’m listening to a thing. It’s digital. I want it to repeat.

I was unaware. I agree. It's digital. If I want it to repeat, it should be easy to do.

… plus speed control update, enhance dialogue feature, and per-show settings …. showing when you tap Show Full Article.
Will there ever be built-in EQ? Please, Apple.

I really don't like the lack of real EQ options in iPhone. Just give me bass, treble, and midrange controls, and I'll be happy.

Can’t see Apple caring unless they launch Apple Podcasts +

Oh GOD, please no! I'm always and forever being harassed by Amazon Music, Daily Wire, Pandora, and Apple News to sign up for all of their paid-tiers, and then there are about 3 dozen YouTubers who spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME asking for me to "buy them a coffee". At least Ground News mostly leaves me alone, but I swear some days I actually feel like water-smacking somebody in the mouth!

 

[Tozovac]

Better than nothing but I want Overcast's shorter silences (Smart Speed) and clear consistent volume (Voice Boost) features.

I went to overcast because the apple podcast app went to hell a decade ago, and now overcast's unnecessary reworking is halfway to hell compared to before (way too many random ads inserted, to boot). Time for a better option than overcast...