The best way for Windows users to access Apple podcasts has long been to use the official iTunes app on the Windows store. However, Apple is now deprecating the app, and replacing it with standalone Apple Music and Apple TV+ apps, leaving no official app to stream Apple Podcasts on PC with an app. This article will teach us how to listen to Apple podcasts from your PC without the iTunes app.
Why can’t I use the iTunes app on Windows to listen to podcasts anymore?
Apple has been phasing out iTunes for Windows for a long time, just like it did for macOS. The goal was to promote the new standalone Apple Music and TV apps. As a result, iTunes is now only used for device management and Apple Podcasts. The last iTunes update for Windows was in May 2024, which shows how Apple is shifting its focus away from the platform. This lack of updates is why Apple Podcasts is no longer explicitly supported on Windows. The release of the Apple Podcasts website further confirms that iTunes is no longer the go-to app for Apple Podcasts on Windows.
How to listen to Apple podcasts on your PC
If the deprecation and lack of updates on the official iTunes app on Windows worries you, don’t. Because you can still listen to all your favorite Apple Podcasts from your PC, here’s how:
- Use Apple Podcasts Website
- Get RSS Feeds and Use Podurama App
Let’s dive in!
1] Use the Apple Podcasts website
Apple launched the Apple Podcasts website on August 19, 2024. This allows you to access the complete functionality of Apple Podcasts without installing an app on Windows.
Using the Apple Podcasts website on Windows is simple. Just visit Podcasts.apple.com on any web browser, log in to your account, and start listening. You can even listen to the podcasts without logging in; however, you will not get access to personalization or explicit podcasts.
If you have trouble logging in to the Apple Podcasts website on your PC, turn off your Ad Blocker if enabled. If you use the Brave browser, ensure the Brave Shields are turned off.
2] Get RSS feeds and use the Podurama app
If you still prefer using an app, you can extract the RSS feeds for a specific Apple Podcasts podcast and add them to an app like Podurama. The Podurama app lets you download entire podcasts, making it great for offline listening.
- First, go to podcasts.apple.com and open the podcast you wish to listen to.
- Now, copy the link to the podcast from your browser’s address bar.
- Afterward, go to getrssfeed.com, paste the link, and click the Find RSS Feed button.
- Once the RSS feed is found, click on the Copy RSS button.
- Now, download and install the Podurama app from the Windows store.
- Sign in or register for an account.
- Click the + icon near the search bar.
- Paste the RSS feed for the podcast and click the Add button.
If you’d prefer to use an app other than Podurama, FluentCast and Grover Podcast are excellent alternatives. These apps offer a superior user experience and boast an interface that seamlessly integrates with Windows 11 and 10, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted workflow.
While Podurama offers account syncing, enabling effortless cross-platform functionality across your Android and iOS devices. For those seeking an app that feels like a native Windows application, FluentCast and Grover Podcast are ideal choices, as they align perfectly with the Windows interface. Both apps support RSS feeds, allowing you to enjoy podcasts from Apple and other providers.
We hope you found it helpful.
Read: Best free Podcast Directories to listen to popular Podcasts
Is there a web player for Apple podcasts?
There is a web player for Apple Podcasts, launched just in August 2024. You can find it at podcasts.apple.com, offering full podcast access. While you can enjoy most podcasts without signing up, creating an account unlocks personalized features and grants access to explicit content.
How do I download Apple podcasts to listen offline?
Use the Podurama app to download Apple Podcasts for offline listening. When you open a podcast available on Apple Podcasts within the app, you’ll find a download button. Clicking this button takes you to the podcast’s native web player view in your web browser. From there, click the triple-dot icon to download the podcast as an MP3 file directly to your PC.
