Pocket Casts can be set to automatically download new episodes as they are released — this can help you save data on your cellular plan, allow for offline playback, and prevent playback interruptions when on slower networks.
You can configure auto downloads from the following sections of the app:
- Tap Profile
- Tap Settings
- Select Auto download
- Toggle Up Next
- Tap Profile
- Tap Settings
- Select Auto Download
- Toggle New Episodes
- Tap Choose Podcast (on Android) or No Podcasts Selected (on iOS)
- You can tap Select All to select all podcasts (podcasts followed in future will be included)
- Or choose individual podcasts you’d like to download new episodes for
- Tap Limit Downloads to select quantity
- Tap Profile
- Tap Settings
- Select Auto download
- Toggle On Follow
- Tap Limit Downloads to select quantity
If the On Follow setting is enabled, you’ll automatically download the latest episodes from any podcast you follow.
- Tap Profile
- Tap Settings
- Select Auto Download
- Tap on the Playlists section
- Use the toggle switch next to each Playlist to enable auto download for it.
- Tap Podcasts
- Select a podcast
- Select Podcast Settings
- Toggle Auto Download
- Tap Playlists
- Tap a playlist from the list
- Select the top right three dot icon
- Tap Playlist Options
- Toggle Auto Download
- You can limit the number of episodes to be downloaded
To restrict downloads on cellular or mobile data, as well as other metered networks, please follow these steps:
- In the Pocket Casts app, tap Profile.
- Tap Settings in on the upper-right corner of the screen.
- Tap Auto Download.
- Scroll down to find Only On WiFi.
- Enable the setting using the switch next to it. You’ll know that Only on WiFi is enabled if the toggle next to it is blue.
If the “Only On WiFi” option is not toggled on, the app may result in significant mobile data use.
On Android, this setting is called Only on unmetered WiFi, and your device decides whether a connection counts as metered. A VPN can make Android treat your home WiFi as metered (VPN connections count as metered unless the VPN app says otherwise), and so can a WiFi network that’s set to Treat as metered in your device’s network settings. When that happens, auto downloads wait as if you were on mobile data and show Waiting for WiFi, even though you’re connected to WiFi.
On Android (version 8.8 and later), Auto Download includes an Only when enough storage setting. When it’s on, the app waits to auto download new episodes until your device has enough free internal storage, which helps prevent failed downloads when space is low. This setting is enabled by default.
- In the Pocket Casts app, tap Profile.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Auto Download.
- Scroll down to find Only when enough storage.
- Use the switch next to it to turn it on or off. When it’s off, auto downloads can occur even when your device is low on internal storage.
This setting only applies when you’re using your device’s default internal storage. If you’ve changed your storage location (for example, to an SD card), it has no effect. It also doesn’t apply to episodes you download manually.
On Android, Auto Download includes an Only when charging setting. When it’s on, the app waits to auto download new episodes until your device is connected to a charger. This setting is turned off by default. There is no equivalent setting on iOS.
- In the Pocket Casts app, tap Profile.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Auto Download.
- Scroll down to find Only when charging.
- Use the switch next to it to turn it on or off. When it’s off, auto downloads can occur without your device being connected to a charger.
This setting doesn’t apply to episodes you download manually. If an auto download is waiting for a charger and you want the episode now, tap its download button to download it manually.
On Android, an auto download that hasn’t started yet shows the reason it’s waiting on the episode row:
- Waiting for WiFi: your device has no internet connection, or Only on unmetered WiFi is on and Android reports your current connection as metered.
- Waiting for power: Only when charging is on and your device isn’t connected to a charger.
- Waiting for storage space: Only when enough storage is on and your device is low on internal storage.
Only one reason is shown at a time, and the connection is checked first. If more than one condition is holding a download, you’ll see Waiting for WiFi rather than Waiting for power or Waiting for storage space. That means a missing charger can be hidden behind Waiting for WiFi.
If your auto downloads say Waiting for WiFi while you’re connected to WiFi (for example, they stay queued overnight but download straight away when you tap download yourself), check both of these:
- Is your connection being treated as metered? Check whether a VPN is on, or whether your WiFi network is set to Treat as metered in your device’s network settings (see the note under Restrict Auto Downloads When Using Mobile Data).
- Is Only when charging turned on? Go to Profile > Settings > Auto Download. If Only when charging is on, auto downloads also wait until your device is connected to a charger, even after the connection issue is fixed. Plug in your device, or turn the setting off.
- Automatically delete the downloaded files once you are done via archiving manually,
- Or manually clear and manage the storage
If you need to cancel all the queued or waiting to be downloaded episodes navigate to Profile > Downloads, tap on the three dot menu ( 
/ 
) and choose Stop All Downloads.
To clear all the download errors and retry tap Clear all download errors on the global auto download page.
