Free up app storage

Free up Podcasts storage

Apple Podcasts is iPhone-only. It keeps downloaded episodes and followed-show files on this device. Follows, play history, and saved episodes stay on your Apple Account. Removing a download only deletes the copy on this iPhone. Android users should use another podcast app.

See how much space Podcasts is using

1. Open the iPhone Settings app.
2. Tap General > iPhone Storage.
3. Tap Podcasts.

Apple can also flag large downloads in iPhone Storage. In the Podcasts app, open Library > Downloaded to see what is actually on the phone. If episodes take a large share of storage, Apple may prompt you to keep recent episodes and delete older ones.

Remove downloaded episodes

1. Open the Podcasts app.
2. Tap Library, then Downloaded.
3. Tap a show. Touch and hold an episode, then tap Remove Download.

You can also swipe left on an episode and tap Remove Download. The show stays in Library. Only the offline file leaves this iPhone.

Remove a whole show, or all downloads

1. Open Library > Downloaded.
2. Touch and hold a show, then tap Remove Downloads.
3. To clear everything, tap the More button, then Remove All Downloads, and confirm.

Those labels come from Apple Support. Followed shows stay followed. You can download an episode again later.

Stop automatic downloads from filling the phone

1. Open iPhone Settings > Apps > Podcasts.
2. Tap Automatically Download and choose Off, a recent-episode limit, or a timeframe.
3. Turn on Remove Played Downloads if you want played files gone 24 hours after you listen.

You can also turn off automatic downloads for one show from that show's page. Video downloads are larger. Leave Download Video off unless you need the video file.

iPhone does not offer a separate Podcasts cache button. Use Downloaded and the Podcasts settings above, or offload Podcasts in iPhone Storage if the system total stays high.

Reinstall the app if storage is still high

If you already cleaned media and Podcasts still looks huge, a fresh install can clear leftover cache and temp files that are hard to reach by hand.

1. Follows and play history stay on your Apple Account. Downloaded episodes need to be downloaded again. Podcasts is built in. Offload is usually enough.
2. Delete the app from your phone.
3. Restart your phone.
4. Install Podcasts again from the App Store or Google Play.
5. Sign in and restore from backup if the app offers it.

This often frees a lot of space. You may need to download some media again after restore.

What to do next

After Podcasts is lighter, check your photo library for duplicates and similar shots. That is what Dedupo is for.

More app guides: Free up app storage.