How to use podcasts in watchos 5

At last! After more than four years in the market and after four versions of the operating system, Apple has decided to implement the Podcasts app on the Apple Watch. It will be from the official launch of watchOS 5, scheduled for the second half of next September, although those who are enrolled in the company's public beta program can already use the application. In this post I will tell you how to use the Podcasts app on your Apple Watch with watchOS 5, and thus be able to enjoy your favorite programs from the smart watch, even if you do not carry the iPhone with you.

Podcasts on Apple Watch

watchOS 5 introduces a new Podcasts app for Apple Watch, which is designed so you can listen to your favorite podcasts without having to use your iPhone. Streaming shows works over both a Wi-Fi network and a mobile connection, but you can also use the Podcasts app to play podcasts through a paired iPhone if you want.

Using the Podcasts app on Apple Watch

As with Apple Music, when using Podcasts on the Apple Watch you will need to have a pair of AirPods or other Bluetooth headsets paired with your Apple Watch. Once the Bluetooth headphones have been paired, you'll need to tap on the Podcasts icon, you know, the one that looks like a radio antenna on a purple background, much like the app icon designed for the iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, but in a circular way, as are the rest of the application icons on the apple watch. And of course, you can also ask Siri to open the app on Apple Watch.

The Podcasts application will open with the most recent episode of all the programs to which you have previously subscribed, and you will be able to play that episode just by clicking on it.

The application will open with the latest available episode; click on it and you can start listening to it immediately | IMAGE: MacRumors

The episode playback controls are available by scrolling using the digital crown, or by swiping and tapping on "Now Playing".

Check your library

Just like on iOS devices, on Apple Watch you will also be able to consult your entire library of podcasts to which you are subscribed, because perhaps right now you do not feel like listening to precisely the latest program available. To see your library of subscribed programs you just have to follow these steps:

• Open the Podcasts app. Scroll down with the digital crown or swipe to access the app's list of options. Choose "Library." The Library section of the Podcasts app will allow you to see all the different podcasts you're subscribed to on the "Programs" section, and individual episodes in the "Episodes" section.

Scroll through each section with a swipe on the Apple Watch screen or on the digital crown.

Browse your podcast library on Apple Watch with watchOS 5 | IMAGE: MacRumors

Subscribe to new programs

To subscribe to new programs on Apple Watch you will need to know the name of the podcast you want to subscribe to. You can do this using Siri, with a command like "Hey Siri, subscribe me to the mixxio podcast."

You can subscribe to specific programs | IMAGE: MacRumors

If you prefer to listen to a specific podcast without subscribing, you can ask Siri to play it with commands like "Hey Siri, play mixxio episode 21".

Offline use

The podcasts listed in the episodes section of the app are downloaded in the app so they can be listened to even when you don't have a mobile or WiFi connection. Mind you, keep in mind podcasts are downloaded when the Apple Watch is connected to a power source and placed near the iPhone.

After an episode has played, it will be removed from Apple Watch to make room for new episodes.

Control podcasts on iPhone from Apple Watch

IMAGE | MacRumors

If your iPhone is connected to your Apple Watch and you are listening to a podcast, you will see an "On iPhone" section in the Podcasts app on your watch, and a small red icon will appear on the Apple Watch screen.

If you tap on “On iPhone” in the Podcasts app, you'll see options for “Play Now” with controls for current content, a “Listen Now” section that shows recent podcasts, a “Programs” section that shows all programs to which you are subscribed, an “Episodes” section that shows all the available episodes and a “Stations” section that shows the Podcast stations created on the iPhone.