Scottor, I have the same situation/requirement as you but I've not found a solution (other than using an old iOS device that still runs the old Podcast app). Did you find a solution?
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Alternative Podcast app for iOS 11?
- Thread starter Westside guy
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My solution was to delete the podcast app from my phone and use Overcast. I’ve been using it now for almost two months and have been very happy with it. It does what I did via smart playlists just as well or better for organizing my podcasts. It’s also nice to update my feeds on the go and Overcast can sync with my iPads too.
I’ve tried several other apps but I liked Overcasts UI the best and it lets me use multiple auto and manual sorted playlists (my number two pick , Pocketcasts, only allow a single playlist).
In a way, Apple did me favor by ruining the Podcast app since it weaned me off iTunes and forced me to try a better system.
You said that you needed to manage and archive your extensive podcast collection. My collection, after many years, is now over 250 GB and lives on an external drive connected to my Mac. My reading of how Overcast works is that it is iOS only. Did you find a way to continue to manage and archive podcasts after you switched to using Overcast?
Right now I'm archiving via iTunes and listening via separate feeds in Overcast. I find that I don't need to save very many episodes after listening and I can flag episodes for future listening by marking them for streaming and downloading them when I'm ready to add them to one of my active playlists. I have a 64GB 6S so I maintain no more than 10GB of podcast downloads. If I had a smaller RAM and unlimited bandwidth I probably would just stream everything.
As far as the archived itunes stuff goes, if and when I want to listen I can load them on my older iPod Classic or Nano, or burn them as MP3s on disks. I could also Airplay them via Wifi to a speaker or stereo connected to an Airport Express. It's clumsy but I find that my old stuff has a much lower priority than fresh new stuff.
Its good to read you found a great alternative in Overcast.
As far as Pocket Casts is concerned the sorting options are indeed limited now that you say it I've also looked into it.
Manual sorting playlists is also great with iCatcher (2.99 dollar once) and Downcast (2.99 dollar once) apps have you given those a try as well?
I'm still a big fan of iCatcher and before that I used Downcast for ages.
I'm not sure about Castro 2 if they offer it.
I really like overcast + pocket casts trending/top podcasts. Overcast's top podcasts does not seem to update enough.
Find support for overcast to be terrible. Been contacting the developer over a month to fix a url feed for a podcast that plays wrong in his app. No response. Won’t be getting my money.....
I'm really beginning to dislike Apple for constantly violating rule one of software enginieering: "Was it broken? Then why fix it?" It's a stream of unwanted updates for the sake of tinkering; iTunes is utterly unusable, Podcasts is a joke. The hardware's similar with nothing compelling to update from an iPhone 6 -- the X is purely a fool's tax (as in a fool and their money is easily parted). Even the new Macs have been stripped of useful features (Magsafe connector, external charging light, memory card reader, function keys) and requires a bagful of expensive connectors.
Oh, and emojis... Obviously the answer to everything and the reason why there aren't any adult programmers around.
Feels like we've reached Apple's zenith and are now on a downward trajectory to the land of nadir and mediocraty.
Anyway, for iTunes I use Picky which works well (except the awful iTunes is linked to the useless Siri). I'd happily delete iTunes, but have moved it to the "Apple Crap" folder.
Thanks for the Podcast replacement application recommendations.
Oh, and emojis... Obviously the answer to everything and the reason why there aren't any adult programmers around.
Feels like we've reached Apple's zenith and are now on a downward trajectory to the land of nadir and mediocraty.
Anyway, for iTunes I use Picky which works well (except the awful iTunes is linked to the useless Siri). I'd happily delete iTunes, but have moved it to the "Apple Crap" folder.
Thanks for the Podcast replacement application recommendations.
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That's good to know. That is my biggest gripe with the Apple Podcasts app. The lock screen widget shows 30 second skip forward and back buttons but my car's forward/back buttons jumps back to the beginning of the podcast or to the next podcast. I keep it so that I can use Siri to give me news updates but the one I've been using forever is Downcast.
Does Pocket Casts let you create automated playlists?
@pacorob In Castro, when you subscribe to something it just gives you options on where you want a new episode to go - The inbox, right after the current top episode in your queue, the very bottom of it, or just to archive it.
You can manually reorder episodes in the queue, but if something new is released, it's going to go wherever you have set in the subscription options. So, if you don't want that to happen, you'd just set it up to just appear in the inbox.
You can manually reorder episodes in the queue, but if something new is released, it's going to go wherever you have set in the subscription options. So, if you don't want that to happen, you'd just set it up to just appear in the inbox.
Apps that have a dark mode and run perfectly on iOS10.3.2 (I run it myself as well) are:
iCatcher (my favorite) - has a dark/night mode which can be set for certain times and you can choose the theme
Castro 2 - has s dark mode/night theme
Pocket Casts - has a dark theme
They are all paid, then NO.... since I have no way to test and see if they will replace the default PODCAST app, and getting a refund is a hassle, I'll pass.
Worse, some apps can only be installed in iOS 11... so it's possible that we pay for it today and in a while they stop working. I will not leave iOS 10.3.2.
I'm sorry to read that my (paid) suggestions weren't what you were looking for.
The iCatcher podcast app is just 2.99 dollar (once) and is worth the money I think but that is my opinion. I'm also on iOS 10.3.2 and planning to stay on that version for a while as well. I could share some screenshot if you want or you could always approach the developer. Also the App Store descriptions indicate a lot of info. I'm not aware of a free podcast app with a darkmode but if I find one I will let you know and share it here and in the dark mode topic I started as well.
This is a very helpful thread, thank you all.
Does anyone know of an app that has a search function as good as the Apple app? If, for example, I want to find podcasts with Steve Davis, Apple's app will bring up any podcast in which he's appeared or featured, which is not the case with Overcast or PocketCast's website - the only two free apps I've been able to try.
Thank you.
Does anyone know of an app that has a search function as good as the Apple app? If, for example, I want to find podcasts with Steve Davis, Apple's app will bring up any podcast in which he's appeared or featured, which is not the case with Overcast or PocketCast's website - the only two free apps I've been able to try.
Thank you.
I use Pocket Casts and here is what I get when I search for his name. Is that what you are after?
Thanks for that.
If I do a search in Apple's podcast, I get several entries in Shows and Episodes. I haven't seen anything like as many in Overcast or the web-version of Pocketcast.
FYI... Castro just moved to subscription, the basic set of features are free though. Sadly they have the dark mode in the subscription (and I think playback speed?) for non-Castro 2 purchasers, but IMO I think their way of doing it is still worth a look.
They don't let you search by episode either by the way.
They don't let you search by episode either by the way.
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