How to Fix Podcast App Crashing on iPhone

Updated by Brian Davis on Dec 29, 2025 • Category: Fix iOS Issues
5 mins read

Many iPhone users have upgraded their devices to enjoy enhanced features. However, a growing number of users report persistent issues with the Podcasts app shortly after updating. Common problems include podcast episodes failing to stream or download, the app freezing on launch, or becoming completely inaccessible. If Podcast keeps crashing on iPhone after an iOS update, you're not alone. In this post, we'll explore the possible causes and provide practical solutions.

podcast crashing on iphone

Part 1: Why Does My Podcast App Keep Crashing?

Podcast apps usually crash because of a software glitch, corrupted data, or a compatibility issue. Here are the most common causes and fixes, starting with the most likely:

1. App bug or outdated version: If the app hasn't been updated, it may not work well with your current phone OS.

2. Corrupted downloads or cache: A partially downloaded episode or bad cache can cause repeated crashes.

3. Low storage space: Podcast apps need space for streaming, buffering, and downloads.

4. Background app conflict: Another app (VPNs and audio-related apps are common culprits) may interfere.

5. Specific episode or feed issue: Some podcast feeds are malformed and can crash apps when loading.

6. Account or sync issue: Cloud sync problems (especially on Apple Podcasts) can cause crashes.

Part 2: Official Fixes to Podcast Keeps Crashing on iPhone

At first, let us look at the official methods, which are published by the Apple company to resolve the problem of the Podcast app crashing on iPhone.

Solution 1: Force Close the Podcast App

Starting from the simplest method, you could force quit the Podcast when the app performs unwell on your iPhone. Here are what you should do to complete the process.

Step 1: Swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen. (for iPhone 8 and older, double click on the Home button.)

Step 2: Find the Podcast app among several programs shown in the background, then swipe it off the top screen to quit it.

Step 3: Launch the Podcast app again to see whether the issue is fixed.

force quit podcast on iphone

Solution 2: Install the Latest Podcast

If you don't update the Podcast app to the latest version, some problems like crashing and not working may happen on it. To correct it, you could follow the steps presented below to install the latest Podcast.

Step 1: Launch the App store and hit on the Today at the bottom column.

Step 2: Click the profile icon at the right top corner.

Step 3: Scroll down to locate the Podcast app to update.

update Podcast

Solution 3: Delete and Reinstall the App

If it is not the matter of the latest version of Podcast, then you might be able to try deleting and install the Podcast app again. To see if it works, please finish the steps here.

Step 1: Long press the Podcast app on the home screen.

Step 2: Tap on the Cross icon to delete it.

Step 3: Head to the App store, input the Podcast on the Search bar and download it.

reinstall Podcast

Solution 4: Force Restart Your iPhone

Suppose that the above ways fail to do the trick, then the final official attempt to settle the Podcast app not working on iPhone is to force restart your iPhone. To reboot it, choose the following procedures matched with your iPhone model.

For iPhone X/11 and later, hold down the Side and the Volume buttons at the same time until the Slider is shown, then pull on the slider to turn off the iPhone, finally press the Side button to turn your device on.

For iPhone SE (2nd) /8 /7/6, hold down the Side button until the Slider is displayed and drag on the slider to close the iPhone, finally press down the Side button to open the device.

For iPhone SE (1st) / 5 and former, press down the Top until the Slider appears, then drag on the slider to switch off the iPhone, finally switch on your device again by holding the Top button.

force restart iPhone

Solution 5: Toggle On and Off Airplane Mode

If the internet connection on your iPhone is bad, you can try turning on the Airplane mode and then turning it off. The Podcast app requires a stable network connection. By doing so, you can refresh the network connection on your iPhone to fix the Podcast keeps crashing on iPhone problem.

enable and disable airplane mode

Solution 6: Free Up iPhone Storage

If your iPhone storage is nearly full, freeing up the storage will be a wise method to fix the Podcast keeps crashing on iPhone issues. You can remove the unused app by turning on the OffLoad Unused apps feature, which will help you offload the app automatically. Besides, you can uninstall the app by long pressing the icon on the Home screen.

offload unused app

Solution 7: Reset All Settings

When the Podcast app keeps crashing on iPhone after using the above solutions, you should reset all settings on your iPhone and see if it works. Don't worry, resetting all settings on your iPhone will not cause any data loss. It will only reset the system settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, screen display, etc., to the factory settings. You can reset the settings via Settings > General > Transfer and Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings.

reset all settings

Solution 8: The Effective Alternative to Solve Podcast Keeps Crashing on iPhone

To be honest, many iPhone customers are indifferent to these official fixes when the Podcast app goes wrong on their iPhone, because they don't work for many times. But don't be upset, as there is still another solution to resolve your crashing Podcast on iPhone with almost 100% success rate. That is using professional third-party iOS system repair applications such as TunesKit iOS System Recovery. Why? You will get the answer from the below frame.

Fix Podcast Crashing on iPhone Instantly

TunesKit iOS System Recovery quickly repairs iOS system issues that cause the Podcast app to keep crashing—no data loss required.

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You won't be regretful to employ this software to fix the Podcast crashing on iPhone with the fastest speed and no data loss. Come and try the steps.

Step 1: Open TunesKit iOS System Recovery for Windows and connect your iPhone with your personal computer by virtue of a USB cable. Then tap on the "iOS System Repair" option, click the Start button, and choose the "Standard Repair" appears in the following screen. Finally follow the instruction to put your iPhone into DFU mode.

connect iphone

Step 2: Confirm the device model, iOS version and other related information. After checking the information is right, click "Download" button to let the program download and verify the firmware package matched with your iPhone.

download firmware

Step 3: When the firmware package download is completed, press the "Repair" button to fix Podcast keeps crashing on iPhone. after the process is finished, the Podcast app can work well and won't crash later.

fix podcast keeps crashing on iphone

Part 3: FAQs: Podcast Keeps Crashing on iPhone

  • 1. Why does the app crash only when I'm on Wi-Fi (or Cellular)?

    This suggests a network handover issue or a firewall restriction. If the app tries to download a large file on a weak connection, it may hang and crash. You can try toggling "Airplane Mode" on for 10 seconds and then off to reset your network radios.

  • 2. How do I fix crashes caused by library syncing?

    If you have a massive library syncing across a Mac, iPad, and iPhone, the background sync process can sometimes overwhelm the app. Disabling sync temporarily can isolate the issue.
    You can open Settings and tap Podcasts, toggle Sync Library to the OFF position, and open the app to see if stability improves.
    sync library podcasts

  • 3. Is there a way to stop automatic downloads from crashing the app?

    Yes. Sometimes the app crashes because it is trying to download too many episodes simultaneously in the background. You can go to Settings > Podcasts, under "Automatic Downloads," tap Automatically Download, and select Off to stop background downloading.
    podcasts automaticdownloads

Part 4: Bottom Line

In conclusion, don't be panic when the Podcast app not work or crashes on your iPhone. The above official 8 solutions and one absolutely workable way can provide you with help. Of course, you can directly go to the Apple center for help if you don't mind the time and energy you waste.

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