No podcast sync to iPod classic in OS 27.

This could be good news. If the bug is about how the podcast app handles content and not just a device out of production like the iPod, there's perhaps a possibility that Apple will fix the problem with the next macOS update.

I have read on some Reddit comments that the issue involves categorizing audio files. Each category has a reference number, 01 is Music for example, 04 is Podcasts. The problem, and I have verified this on various podcasts available on my iPod by reading the files through Terminal, is that with this "bug" the podcasts are identified as 05, which is a mixed Music/Podcast category. This is the reason why they then end up together with all the music on the iPod and no longer in the dedicated Podcast category.

i did find a work around using 3rd party software called iopenpod , it’s not as good as Apple’s proprietary software but it does the job in a bit more clunky way. Just make sure you enable disc use on your iPod so it’s discoverable by the software 😁

All of my podcasts synced to my iPod classic and were separated from the music but unfortunately were just all in one root folder in recently downloaded order (not in separate episodes). I spent many hours on the phone with Apple support and got elevated to senior level but the conclusion was that Apple probably don’t want to support a “vintage product“ anymore. This is disappointing as I think it would add to Apple’s cool reputation 🙂

The same thing has happened to me as well. Podcasts are synced through Finder, as usual, after being downloaded from the Podcasts app, but the Podcasts screen on the iPod is completely empty.

I noticed that the podcasts are actually transferred to the iPod, but they appear in the Music section instead of being identified as Podcasts. This worked correctly up until macOS 26. The podcast artwork metadata is also not transferred.

Everything worked perfectly before updating to macOS 27.

My iPod Classic is a 5.5th generation.

I really hope this issue will be fixed in the next update.

I had the same issue. It's a real shame that Apple hasn't included this feature with the new operating system. I definitely wouldn't have updated operating systems had I known this would be the case as i use my iPod classic everyday to listen to Podcasts. I did find a workaround with 3rd party iPod classic software although it's a poor substitute to the native software. At least my podcasts are in library form rather than 1 root file. Let's hope Apple get this issue sorted with an upcoming software update.

It's not just your ipod. iPhone 12 mini running 27.2. Prior to GG upgrade, podcasts would sync over wifi and usb to iPhone without issue when using the Finder sync feature (how I manage my libraries on the phone). Downloaded podcasts (I don't stream) no longer sync. The iPhone reports No Downloaded Episodes. The Mac running 27.0.1, Podcast app has my downloaded unplayed library intact, and adds to it when I refresh with new downloads. Seems to me some kind of file flag has been changed.

When I dig deeper, I get an error message on the Mac: 'Podcasts on the iPhone “DNA-12mini” cannot be synced because all of the podcasts selected for syncing no longer exist.' And yet, there they are.

Oh, and while Apple's at it, they can revisit their GUI guidelines from the 1980s where things should be consistent - make the space bar pause/play podcasts in the same manner as iTunes/Music, Photos, and TV apps. Ahem...

Are all your podcasts in one root folder or in library formation with shows etc ?

I'm seeing the same thing when syncing to an iPod Classic (6th gen) using macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1. The podcasts sync, but everything shows up under one "Root" podcast in the menu.

Hopefully it gets fixed in a future update.

Hi guys? There are some updates, are you still all experiencing this issue with podcast syncing on iPodClassic from macos27? I hoped version 27.0.1 would fix it, but it still doesn't work.