Level 1

47 points

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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215 replies

MaryinMT

Level 1

4 points

Mar 31, 2021 1:25 PM in response to Community User

I don’t know how or why, but suddenly my podcasts seem to be updating the way they should. The only thing I have done differently (after trying all the other suggestions which mostly didn’t work) is to have my phone next to my watch at night.

gdog1961

Level 1

8 points

Apr 3, 2021 10:14 AM in response to Mb-1-nobi

That's perfect. It's amazing to me why nobody at apple even reads these posts. even more amazing is the guy or gal who developed this never used the app they developed. If they did they would of quoted Kramer on Seinfeld. "Well that didn't work"

I switched to Outkast. it's a little clunky but you can manually download so you know your podcasts our on your watch. Plus if you use WIFI instead of Bluetooth by switching your phone to airplane it is super fast.

Jun 14, 2021 2:12 PM in response to willdevine

Good to know. I will try turning off the option to “Automatically Add” recent music in the Apple Watch app. Hopefully it improves the syncing of podcasts overnight. I’ve found that often some but not all of the selected podcasts will synch, which is really puzzling.

I’ve also noticed that the handoff between my Apple Watch, iPhone, and Airbuds can be somewhat shaky. Maybe we’re hitting the limitations of Bluetooth integration amongst multiple Apple products.

Aug 4, 2020 1:18 PM in response to Dooney.

Just recently noticed. Could it be that they are downloading only when your watch is completely charged? It starts to uploading only after a while in my case. Has someone tried it?

Dooney.

Level 1

4 points

Sep 3, 2020 6:49 AM in response to txappleguy46

Any news? Didn’t realise you had to pay that much. It was £0.99 in the U.K. and no subscription.

link here... https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/outcast-for-watch/id1326693810

Sep 5, 2020 4:58 AM in response to MikeOxhuge

Try Outcast. It’ll cost you 99 cents (US) but works great.

owl2hoot

Level 1

4 points

May 25, 2021 7:23 AM in response to mrshrimpy

Have you updated your phone, and watch, to the most current software ?

MikeOxhuge Author

Level 1

47 points

Apr 14, 2020 3:59 AM in response to Community User

Thanks for your efforts to help - really appreciated. Have tried toggling these on and off - restarted phone in all different states too.

But this is how it's stuck. Stays like this all night. Have tried custom and listen now. Both phone and watch on charge. Have tried wifi / bluetooth too.

Just checked my music - updates perfectly - like this.

MikeOxhuge Author

Level 1

47 points

Apr 14, 2020 4:30 AM in response to Community User

Yeah, but thanks for jumping in - I did delete the app and have also restored the watch. Haven't set up as new yet - last resort. That means changing all the settings I've spent a year getting just right (including adding bank cards again and all that jazz - a pain in the butt). But, let me try that. Pass me the tequila and strap in. I'll feedback if that works. Thanks Jack.

ededed

Level 1

12 points

May 5, 2020 7:34 AM in response to SimonCahi11

Sadly not Simon. I ended up going through technical support online. Sent a bunch of screenshots, did a pile of troubleshooting. Promised a resolution. That was on the 14th April - heard nothing since then.

The way to fix this would be to upgrade to a cellular watch - but my SP in the UK doesn’t support it - and I don’t want to switch or spend another $500 on a new version of the same watch. It’s really frustrating.

good luck

May 12, 2020 12:50 PM in response to MikeOxhuge

I have the same issue. I've been on a thread with calling apple engineers for over 3 months over this issue. I've sent logs, I've factory reset watch and phone. NOTHING works consistently. Like you, sometimes I will randomly get the one episode that loaded to the watch. But I can never count on it...

I have been begging apple to help...

so far, nothing.

Ladykd1

Level 1

4 points

Jun 9, 2020 6:42 AM in response to chantellecl

I’m also having this issue! It’s really frustrating! Wondering what iPhone you guys are using? I am using an iPhone 6s and it’s the lowest level that’s capable of syncing so I was wondering if that’s where some of the glitch is occurring.

Jun 17, 2020 4:30 AM in response to ededed

Same problem. Same efforts to fix that. Restarted my phone, unpaired watch. Called Apple Support like 10 times because every time the call just breaks somehow and then i need to wait for the senior adviser again for about 30min on the call.

I also have the same issue with my music. Why then i need this watch? Why apple does nothing about that?

Jun 22, 2020 4:56 AM in response to MikeOxhuge

I also am experiencing the same issue with my Series 5 GPS only & iPhone SE 2020.

I bought 2 brand new apple products expecting them to work. I am appalled at the lack of help here for all of us experiencing this issue, some of us have worked extremely hard and don't have much but we spend a lot on what we think will be useful items that will help us exercise etc and help us be healthier but it feels like we have all been lied to.

We do not need GPS plus cellular, this should be working with GPS only also. Especially considering Series 5 is the latest version of the watch, and the SE 2020 just came out, and they both support Bluetooth 5.0, so why am I experiencing this issue?

I have completed EVERY SINGLE ONE of the troubleshooting tips suggested in this thread and NOTHING has worked. This is disgusting and needs to be addressed immediately by Apple I am extremely upset.

Jun 22, 2020 6:03 AM in response to mosejevaite

So you’re saying that the only way to fix this is to:

Wait several hours, like overnight
Keep the iPhone and Apple Watch far enough apart that the Apple Watch doesn’t connect to Bluetooth and is forced to use WiFi?

That’s pretty ridiculous but I guess it’s a start.

Thank you!

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Podcasts not updating on watch