Apple Podcast App Crashing

I'm having this problem as well. I read on another forum that switching the phone to Airplane Mode will allow you to listen to your podcasts uninterrupted. I tried this and it definitely works but I'm not sure how long I want to sit here listening in Airplane Mode. :(

I'm on a month-old iPhone 11 Pro (having moved up from an iPhone SE) and this is the first time I’ve encountered a problem like this. I did the following:

• restarted the app
• cleared all the apps in the background, and restarted the app
• tried the app with a different podcast episode
• deleted some podcasts to which I am not subscribed but keep in my Shows list (for occasional episodes that I want to hear). While I was deleting said podcasts, the app crashed repeatedly.
• restarted the phone (three times)
• offloaded the app via General->Settings->Storage->Podcasts, and redownloaded it, twice (with crashes in between)

Crashes after each of these steps, and even if I get the app to start playing the podcast episode, it crashes after 5-30 seconds.

Finally, I’ve put the phone in airplane mode, and have been able to complete one episode (about 20 minutes), and resume an earlier podcast that I thought might have been corrupted.

(Coincidentally, I had similar issues with the Pages app yesterday, and I took the same steps (offloading and restoring the app) before I could access the files on my iPad.).

Is it fixed? I have had same issue. I just turn off the Background App Refresh option at podcasts setting. (Setting->Podcasts) I assume it's working. Anybody who goes through of podcasts app constantly crashing, try turning off Background App Refresh option and let us know. -iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 13.2.3(the latest)

• May be Apple has fixed this issue, my iPad Air 2 (iPadOS 13.2.3 (the latest)) which Background App Refresh option is turning on is working well now.

Just started happening today on my iPod Touch. I've tried all the usual stuff, but no success. I originally thought I needed to reboot. Then I figured maybe a corrupted podcast file. Then I uninstalled and reinstalled the app. No luck.

Same exact thing for me, just started today. Looks like the app has been problematic for others since the roll out of iOS 13. I’ll have to try the_becca’s work around, but I don’t really want the app to be limited to airplane mode either

I turned off wifi (I only have an iPod, not a cellular-capable device) and left BlueTooth on, and I'm in business so far. I've been listening to a podcast for several minutes, whereas before it would quit in a matter of seconds. Thanks, becca!

I'm also having this issue. I have the podcast episodes downloaded onto my phone, however, when playing any downloaded episodes, the app crashes/closes on its own. I've deleted and reinstalled Apple Podcast app, however, the problem persists. I'm on iPhone 11 pro, iOS 13.2.3.

Temporarily downloaded Podcast App to listen to podcasts til problem is fixed

Very annoying. I'm looking at other podcast apps right now, and that's bumming me out because I've always used the apple podcast app without ever having an issue. So Apple, I'm about to say good bye. Fix the problem so I don't have to.

I have had the same issue as the OP, just starting this morning. Thought it was same issues as above. But reboot and deleting some of my old archived podcasts to reduce storage and/or the app’s internal DB. Still crashes.

In the spirit of what you noted, the_becca, I turned off cellular data for Podcasts (I’m not where I have WiFi) and it is now stable. Around the time it would have crashed, it brought up the prompt asking for internet access. I told it to ignore it and it’s now fine, though certainly not a fix. Maybe it’s got something to do with cloud sync or something.

For those wondering, this is on an 8 Plus/iOS 12.4.

It's not iOS 13 that's caused the issue. I'm on 12.3.1 and it's just started happening to me too.

It seems something else has been updated / going on in the background.

Rather frustrating and another tiny straw on the back of the camel that is keeping me a customer of Apple.

Same here. Just started doint this to me this afrternoon. Every 3-7 min my podcast just stops abruptly. Happenes while using carplay and while using airpods. Tried restarting both phone and app. neither helped. Other threads seemed to suggest deleting/redownloading the app but I dont want to have to download all these podcasts again so I am hoping someone can chimne in stating that they already tried that before I make the attempt.

the same thing started with me this morning. I’ve had nothing but trouble since 13.1. I’ve kept up to date on all new versions and so many of my apps are buggy. Very frustrating. Podcasts are a big part of my daily phone use

I temporarily switched to spotify and guess what I discovered.. The built in spotify EQ works for podcasts too! I really wish apple would allow us to use an EQ setting for podcasts. Most of the small/cheap speakers I play through are too bass heavy which is not a good fit for voices. Anyway. I think this might have been a blessing in disguise.

Airplane mode works for me. I have then been able to turn on bluetooth and listen through my earbud, but crashes if I turn wifi on. I used my iPad on Sunday all day listening to podcasts, but started crashing about an hour after listening this morning.

This happened to me many times today. It has started today, and I've never had this problem before, but now randomly (in a space of 10 minutes) the podcasts just pause playing. Tried to reinstall and also turn off and on again.