Apple updates its iOS Podcasts app with iCloud syncing, custom stations and more

21 March, 2013 - Paul Dixon
Apple's Podcasts App

Apple today rolled out a significant update for its Podcasts app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The update, which takes the app to version 1.2, introduces several improvements and new features including: station syncing between devices via iCloud, custom station & playlist creation, and a revamped Now Playing view.

Release notes:

  • Create custom stations of your favorite podcasts that update automatically with new episodes
  • Choose whether your stations begin playing with the newest or oldest unplayed episode
  • Your stations are stored in iCloud and kept up-to-date on all of your devices
  • Create an On-The-Go playlist with your own list of episodes
  • Playlists synced from iTunes now appear in the Podcasts app
  • The Now Playing view has been redesigned with easier to use playback controls
  • Addressed an issue with resuming playback when returning to the app
  • Additional performance and stability improvements

Since its introduction back in June last year, the Podcasts app has been dogged by a number of issues which have resulted in it being awarded one of the lowest ratings of all the Cupertino company’s apps. Users have complained of sluggish performance, frequent crashing, and repeated syncing failures.

Hopefully, today’s update will address many of those issues.

The Podcasts app is available as a free download from the App Store.

About the author

Paul Dixon is the owner of Macsessed. He lives in Lancashire in the UK where he works as a web designer. You can find him on and Twitter.