How to delete podcast episodes in the Podcasts app for iPhone and iPad

By Allyson Kazmucha
last updated

For users that listen to podcasts pretty regularly, you're probably already aware that they can take up a healthy amount of space on your iPhone or iPad, especially video podcasts. The Podcasts app for iPhone and iPad allows you to either stream or download episodes. If you've downloaded several and find yourself scrounging around for storage, deleting older podcasts is a great way to free up some space.

Follow along and we'll show you how.

  1. Launch the Podcasts app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap into a podcast series from the My Podcasts section.
  3. Find the podcast episode that you'd like to delete from your device and horizontally swipe across the title of it.
  4. You'll now notice a red delete button pops up off to the right. Tap on it.

That's all there is to it. That podcast episode will be automatically deleted from your iPhone or iPad. You can still stream them or re-download them any time you'd like in the future.

Allyson Kazmucha
Allyson Kazmucha

iMore senior editor from 2011 to 2015.

5 Comments
  • This is a nice handy tip. Thanks for the tip and great review.
  • Thanks for the tip Ally. This also works in the Video and Music apps.
  • Whew! I've been trying to figure that one out for weeks. Thanks!!
  • I have been using home computers for 34 years but not apple. I only recently decided to switches apple. WHAT A F@ing MISTAKE! My apple mini 2 is only a few months old. I am trying to remove individual podcast lectures from a subscribed to podcast. I followed your instructions and it does not work. Why would apple make it impossible in its most recent version unless they want people to return to android or windows. Not even my spouse with academic degrees in computers and 30 years of paid experience can figure it out. Like I said I followed the instructions here and crap!
  • Found out this: to delete podcasts entirely from the app directly, if you don't see the "Edit" button in your My Podcasts library list, just swipe down to reveal the toolbar. If you prefer to delete them on PC, you may try FonePaw iOS Transfer.