Pocket Casts can be configured to notify you when new episodes are available. When new episodes are available a notification dot called an app badge will be displayed next to the app icon or app title. The appearance and color of the app badge is controlled by your device’s OS.
To enable notifications in iOS
- Tap the Profile tab
- Tap the Settings cog
- Select Notifications
- In iOS toggle on the option for New Episodes
- Choose podcasts you want to be notified of
- Select preferences for the App Badge
To enable notifications in Android
- Tap the Profile tab
- Tap the Settings cog
- Select Notifications
- In Android toggle on the option for New Episodes > Notify me
- Choose podcasts you want to be notified of
- Select preferences for Actions including: Play, Play next, Play last, Archive, and Download
- Select preferences for Advanced Settings including: Show notifications, Pop on screen, Sound, Vibration, Lock screen, Show notification dot, Override Do Not Disturb
While you are on the podcast’s page tap the bell icon to enable notifications for that podcast.
New episode notifications are the only kind of notifications Pocket Casts sends. New episode notifications will appear in the notification shade and on your lock screen.
By default, the notification dot shows a simple dot, usually red or blue, to indicate that you have one or more new episodes available. Some device manufacturers (e.g. Samsung) may add a number within the dot to indicate how many new episodes are available. If you see a dot, or dot with a number, but you didn’t see the notification, you may be able to long-press on the app icon to view the notification(s) again. Some devices also feature a notification history where you can view a log of all recent notifications.
Pro Tip: If you do not see the notifications on your Android device, check the system settings for app notifications. Pocket Casts app should have the notifications for “Playback” activated.
FAQ
My app stopped showing the red dot whenever there is a new episode. How can I activate it again?
There are two types of notifications available. Badges appear inside the app, while new episode notifications appear outside of the app as an app badge. Badges inside the mobile apps are displayed as a blue dot, and appear as a red triangle on the Web app and Desktop apps.
A red dot next to the app icon usually indicates that the new episode notification is active. To activate the new episode notification again please follow these steps:
Enable notifications on iOS
Enable notifications on Android
What is the difference between notifications and badges?
Badges in Pocket Casts are in‑app indicators that appear on each podcast’s artwork (in grid view) or title (in list view) within the Podcasts tab, and they help you quickly see which shows need your attention. Notification dots are provided by your device’s operating system and appear on the Pocket Casts app icon itself. The new episode notification indicates that there is at least one new episode available. You can find more details about each feature in the following guides:
Enable notifications on Android
Badge settings for the Podcast Tab on iOS and Android
Badge settings for the Podcast Tab on Web app and Desktop app
Why are my new episode notifications delayed on iOS?
If new episodes show up in the app on time but the notifications arrive late, sometimes hours later, the delay is almost always caused by how iOS delivers notifications, not by Pocket Casts. The episode list and the notification are handled separately, so one can be on time while the other is held back.
The most common cause is Scheduled Summary, an iOS feature that collects notifications and delivers them in batches at set times instead of right away. To have Pocket Casts notifications arrive immediately:
- Open your device’s Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary.
- If Scheduled Summary is on, either turn it off, or under Apps in Summary turn off Pocket Casts so its notifications are delivered right away.
Also check whether a Focus mode (such as Do Not Disturb, Sleep, or Work) is limiting notifications. In Settings > Focus, make sure Pocket Casts is allowed to notify you during any Focus you use.
Because this is an iOS notification-delivery setting, logging out of and back into your Pocket Casts account will not change it.
