Podcasts.app Consistently Crashing (help!)

[JAWB25]

Hi,

Ever since upgrading to iOS 11, the Podcasts app consistently crashes when I open it for the first time. It also crashes whenever I do a "pull to refresh" or 3D Touch on the app icon to "Check for New Episodes." I've since been using the public betas in order to see if they fix the problem/also give me the ability to submit feedback and see the error logs. In the crashes log in the Feedback app, I can see consistent reasons:

• Reason 1: cpu usage: 90s cpu time over 178 seconds (51% cpu average), exceeding limit of 50% cpu over 180 seconds
• Reason 2: Podcasts has active assertions beyond permitted time (MTFeedUpdateManager)

When the app crashes I have to relaunch it and it is clearly loading from scratch (app looks blank and then takes time to load assets within the frames). I'm running an iPhone 7 on the most recent beta, although I've experienced this issue since iOS 11.

I like using the default Podcasts app because I can sync with iTunes on my MacBook. I know I can change to another app, but would like suggestions about what to do to solve this issue. Is it possible I'm subscribing to too many podcasts for the app to handle? If this is the case, Apple should let us know the limitations or provide a warning.

I appreciate any feedback!

 

[NoBoMac]

Since it sounds like you are syncing via iTunes, might want to try uninstalling the app: should clear out the files/storage/configurations/etc for the app and clearing out any weirdness going on. Reinstall from App Store and rsync your content back from Macbook iTunes.

Might also change up how you use the app. I have a lot of podcasts, but only sync to the phone all the podcasts that came out for a given month. Manageable list on the device, and still do pull-to-refresh to get daily podcasts (and to listen to them now, since "time sensitive").

v11 Podcast app is a bit of a mess. I see issues with the Play Next playlist. Playing a podcast, but artwork is for the first item in the Up Next list. Also get items dropped from the list when I try to rearrange. Stopping and restarting the app usually clears these.

 

[Banglazed]

Have your tried putting it on airplane mode and launch the app and pull down to refresh?

Have you tried deleting the app and re-download it from the App store then re-sync it with iTunes?

 

[JAWB25]

I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. I forgot it was possible to delete default apps. I deleted the Podcasts app and re-downloaded it and synced it.

It seemed to be okay for the first day, but crashed again this morning. I’m going to submit the feedback, but I’m still frustrated this is happening since it’s one of the apps I use the most everyday. I’ve set up stations that include only the most recent couple episodes, but the apps “Shows” and “Episodes” lists can’t be edited and I think it might be the issue with the crashing during refresh. I’m just going to hope Apple will finally address this issue or put something out about the limitations of the app (e.g., maximum number of episodes or shows to subscribe to).

 

[MoparShaha]

I had this happen too. The only way I was able to fix it was to reset all settings in the Settings app. You’ll have to set up a bunch of settings again, but it’s better than wiping the phone completely.

 

[JAWB25]

I had this happen too. The only way I was able to fix it was to reset all settings in the Settings app. You’ll have to set up a bunch of settings again, but it’s better than wiping the phone completely.

I tried by resetting all the settings and the app is still crashing. I can only hope something will be updated in the future. I have tried a clean install as well.

 

[colodane]

I've had various troubles (including syncing and user-friendliness) with the Apple Podcast apps. My solution is to only use the PodCast app on my iMac for watching video podcasts. For audio podcasts (most what I subscribe to) I use the OverCast app on my iOS devices. No need to sync with the iMac. Syncing between devices happens automatically in the cloud. Much easier and straightforward to use than the Apple app.

I know this doesn't achieve what you are looking for, but it was a good "bail out" for me that you may want to consider if all else fails.

 

[JAWB25]

I really appreciate all the feedback. I tried the suggestions to use Overcast, which is an app I've experimented with in the past (I just always went back to the default player for convenience). I imported the OPML from iTunes into Overcast and it seemed to work okay, but then the app crashed and then it wouldn't open anymore. It kept hanging on the first screen and then would crash back to the home screen. After that, I decided I was probably subscribing to too many podcasts and deleted all my podcasts from the Apple Podcasts app and then re-subscribed to only the ones I'm dedicated to listening to at the moment. I didn't think I was subscribed to too many considering many weren't active anymore or on hiatus (e.g., Serial, S-Town, etc.), but I was subscribed to 186 sources (as I found out in the OPML file). I know 186 is a lot of podcasts, but I listen to podcasts all day while working and commuting.

Since unsubscribing and only subscribing to 75, I haven't experienced any issues. I will update if there are any changes.