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Level 1

128 points

iPhone 4S - iTunes Store app freezes when searching for Podcasts

This has me stumped. I have several Apple devices using my iTunes account, but only my iPhone is giving me grief lately.

iPhone 4S

iOS 5.1.1

iTunes Match is ON for music (does not affect podcasts in theory)

Recipe:

Search for podcast I want to download using iTunes store app
Find it and click on name to see episodes
Results screen loads partially, then does nothing. Can see list of episodes, but cannot activate "Download" buttons.
Wait for a few minutes. Wait a lot of minutes. Nothing changes, but network activity indicator is spinning around next to WiFi indicator.
Quit iTunes app
Restart app and it crashes
Lather, rinse, repeat

I usually listen to episodes of the same 5 or 6 podcast series, like most folks. I was able to grab any of them directly from the iPhone before, but in the last few days it simply can't be done.

Clue: I CAN download music. I can pay for it. Just can't get podcasts.

What I've tried:

Log out and back in to store
Turn iTunes Match off and back on
Restart iPhone

No joy. Any ideas before I contact Apple support??

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1

Posted on May 15, 2012 9:54 PM

63 replies

BradPDX Author

Level 1

128 points

Jun 4, 2012 2:28 PM in response to CptMcHuggs

The various Apple news sites are reporting that among other things Apple is revamping the store and associated store apps. This lends some credence to the idea that what we are seeing is a result of "back end" tinkering as they prepare the services for new apps and functions.

The iTunes store app didn't change, but it's interaction with the store servers did. If that is the case, then indeed there is nothing that Support can do but apologize and wait. I'll be curious to see what gets said at WWDC next week.

Curiously, and for no particular reason, the iTunes store app on my iPad (3) started working again with large podcasts. No such luck on my iPhone. Fortunately, the podcast that started this whole thread for me (NPR's Planet Money) has just released their own self-contained app. It's very good, and will do for now!

Jun 5, 2012 7:52 PM in response to BradPDX

Looks like they solved the problem !

This evening I was able to access the podcasts I was having issues with.

All good !

BradPDX Author

Level 1

128 points

Jun 5, 2012 8:31 PM in response to canadianstarbuck

I too can now access podcasts and other items at the iTunes store on my iOS devices. The problem was indeed at the backend.

iPhone 4S - iTunes Store app freezes when searching for Podcasts