Podcasts not updating on watch

So it seems this podcast issue on Apple Watch is still not fixed.

I have about 10 different podcasts I listen to regularly. They work perfectly from my phone - both streaming and downloaded. When I try and sync these to my watch it sticks on "updating". So I can't download podcasts to my watch to listen to when I am not tethered or on wifi - which means if I go for a run, I have to carry my phone. Music syncs perfectly to the watch - just not podcasts.

I have tried everything. Deleting the podcast app, reinstalling. Deleting and then re-pairing the watch to my phone. Checking I subscribe to podcasts. Making sure both phone and watch are charging. Using bluetooth / wifi / combination of both. Trying both "custom" and "listen now". All software is updgraded to the latest version.

I have tried overcast but the same issue appears - podcasts sync maybe 1 in 5 times but it's very patchy.

Help. I'm going nuts here. Am I missing something obvious?

Posted on Apr 14, 2020 2:28 AM

Top-ranking reply

JuanPabloDeLaVega

Level 1

11 points

Posted on Dec 11, 2020 3:32 PM

I have struggled for months with the same Podcast to Watch sync issues that everyone else here seems to have. I love Apple since I bought Quadro something or other but as of the last 12 months or so, I'd say the user interfaces and user experience of Apple's iOS apps have become complete garbage.

Bottom line on THIS particular issue IMHO:

The Podcast app for sync to Watch is completely useless (why Bluetooth? That's a completely brain dead way to transfer media when wifi is present almost everywhere). TBH, the Podcast app interface basically ***** to begin with. Littered with confusing icons and a counterintuitive workflow.

Overcast might be the BEST podcast app for playback on the iPhone. Clean and user friendly. But I can't sort out how to sync to Watch over anything but Bluetooth (maybe it can't) so I ditched if for syncing podcasts to the Watch

Now be careful. The next bit is about the unfortunately similarly named Outcast:

Outcast syncs over WiFi. Praise Allah. But it quit working maybe 60 days ago and I bailed back to the Podcast app. After a few weeks of that useless and frustrating garbage, I couldn't take it anymore. As of today, I'm back to Outcast on the Watch. New interface, wifi-fast downloads and 100% satisfaction.

So:

Overcast for podcast playback on the Phone
Outcast for offline podcast playback on the Watch
Apple Podcast app - nvmd!

And as soon as Spotify releases an offline playback version for the Watch, I'm back to that and dropping Apple Music like a bag of hammers. Because Apple Music might be the biggest UI/UX catastrophe I've ever experienced.

Sorry Apple. You need to get your head back into the software game. Your hardware's mostly great; your iOS software is a disaster.

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Podcasts not updating on watch

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