Podcasts not updating on watch

Has anyone got a solution?

this is the most clumsy watch app and process ever developed by Apple. So so frustrating. 100hrs of phone, emails, data uploads.

still no solution ??? Why is this so hard to fix? WHY???

Hi guys,

I am facing exactly the same problem and I have tried every tips given. This is totally absurd that Apple does not take this issue seriously. How can a simple transfer between devices does not work. Isn’t it a basic thing nowadays? I am also wondering why it is just not possible to manage podcasts directly on the watch. It would be way easier to be able to select, download podcasts using WiFi directly from the watch. It is really annoying to spend so much money for IPhone, Watch, IPods, I and I and Istuffs having a basic issue which is not solved so far. It looks like Apple is promoting Samsung products by their incompetence to solve users issues!

Hi All,

Just another one to add to the long list of issues. I've an iPhone 8Plus and Series 5 GPS watch. Like many, bought the watch to listen to podcasts while running so I didn't have to take my phone with me. Had the phone since Sept 2019, was fine for months and then I'd guess about 2-3 months ago noticed podcasts weren't downloading properly.

Like many, I've tried a variety of things and none seem to work. Its says updating for a long time but nothing comes through on the watch, every podcast has a cloud against it and the spinning dots (top right next to the time) appear!!

So frustrating and really not acceptable apple.

Wow! Haven’t you noticed everything’s clear now with ios 14? or did it worked only for me? Now i can see that uploading progress line both with music and podcasts. Thanks to Apple, thought they’re making fun of us and wanted to hate all of them but now i’m happy again !!

Please tell me that it worked for everyone, not just me:/

can more people confirm this is true? i have had too many false starts and hopes on this subject. Is it true for all podcast apps or just apples? (i use Overcast since this one worked "the best" so far)...

Apple should make it possible to find and download the desired podcast episodes directly on the Watch, and at any time, not just when Watch goes to charge (and maybe it would be OK if it worked stably, but no!). This procedure should be as simple and clear as possible. But instead again ridiculous restrictions from Apple, which likes to make life difficult for users. The motto "It just works" hasn't been about Apple for a long time. This is far from the only problem when some basic functions simply do not work. For example, there are a lot of complaints from users that Reminders don't sync on Apple Watch, or sync with difficulty, takes a long time. Or you can't receive or make calls on Apple Watch. And so on.

I agree, this should definitely be simplified.

Nevertheless, I have to say that with iOS 14 and watchOS 7 this issue has been solved for me. It’s much better, you can follow the progress for each podcast on your, but it’s not easier as to be able to download it directly from the watch!

Hi guys,

After having it worded for ten days since iOS 14 / WatchOS 7 update it doesn’t work anymore.

i don’t understand why. For two nights I didn’t plug my phone and my watch together and after that it started to fail again. It could be also the consequence of iOS 14.01.

As usual, this is really annoying and I don’t really know what to do. Does someone experience something similar?

Tried all of the above, same problem with my Apple Watch 6 with Cellular. Not happy. Tech support no as useful as they normally are. I been on the phone with 4 different support agents. APPLE please help!!!!

I have same issue, and have done all the things suggested. I had no issues with my Apple Watch 4. Issue only started when I purchased the 6. I too do not want to unpair and start over with set up and sounds like that didn’t work in any case. In my case, some of my podcasts are downloading to the watch but not all. Apple needs to fix this - seems like many people are having the same problem.

Si Guys where are Apple Genius? We are talking about this for ages now, without a tiny reaction from Apple and moreover a solution ! Genius, please solve basic issues before to think about creating new headphones!

It is blatantly apparent that whoever built this app for apple has never tried to use the app. It simply doesn't work. I have tried all the same thigs as above and I still can't get it to sync my podcasts. I like how they show you now Updated just now on the screen when in fact nothing updates,.

Can you please get this app working.

I got the Nike Apple Watch 6 for Christmas. I’m having the same problem not syncing podcast, but annoyingly it did sync the podcast I had on my phone at the time I set my watch up. I’ve since deleted that podcast and unsubscribed. I’ve now subscribed and downloaded to a new podcast but that will just not move to my watch despite trying all of the above. The old podcast however, that no longer existing on my phone, is still on my watch! There seems no way to delete the old and add the new. My phone tells me the podcast has updated, but on the watch there is no change. Any new ideas?

I’m also having issues trying to get Podcasts synced to Watch. Really surprised at how poor the Apple Watch is when it comes to transferring content for offline playback. Music works slightly better but is far from perfect. Why can’t we have the option to just manually select a podcast episode and “Send to Watch” ?

And why is the syncing/ transfer process not carried out using WiFi instead of painfully slow Bluetooth???

Like many others on here, I bought the Apple Watch (S5) for playing music/podcasts when running or in the gym but I’m really disappointed at how poor the offline playback process is.

Apple’s reputation for providing solid user friendly devices is slipping away and what’s really worrying is they don’t seem to be bothered fixing issues like the one above. Given the premium price Apple customers pay for their products, we deserve better.