Podcasts App... Not Syncing Correctly.

I don't see a difference in using iTunes on a Mac as the master for podcast syncing or using an iOS device as the primary method for getting them. You can fine tune what podcasts you want downloaded to each individual device via iCloud and create the radio station playlists so you can easily play only select podcasts that pertain to that particular device (in the event that the iPod is for news and iPad for video).

Using an iOS device as the source for all podcasts isn't a huge issue unless you are constrainted by space. My iPad never has less than 8gb of podcasts on it. Since my iPhone has less storage, I download only the ones I want on it (no different than pre-determing them through iTunes) and go about my day. Podcasts.app allows you to specify which podcasts you want downloaded and which you don't.

When at the house, I use the iPad to stream to my Mac or to one of my two ATV's in the house. There have been a few times that my iPad has had up towards 16gb of podcasts on it (a lot of HD video), so some of them I would leave off and then just stream over wifi when I got home. It really wasn't an issue because I had 16gb of other podcasts to listen to until I got home (which I never finish lol).

For those that are constrained by storage limitations, you would have the same issue if syncing through iTunes. Wether it is downloaded directly to the device from the Podcast.app or synced through iTunes, the same amount of storage is used.

Message was edited by: Scionwest

If you had more than one Mac, or if you were trying to use the podcast app from either iOS devices or AppleTV, then you would understand the issues keeping everything in sync, despite workarounds.

You must have missed my previous posts, I do have multiple iOS devices, two computers and two AppleTV's. This is why I posted that I don't see a difference with using iTunes as a master sync or iCloud through an iOS device for sync.

I get up from my Mac, pull the phone out of my pocket and send the stream to my AppleTV to watch while eating dinner, then get up and walk into the bedroom and switch the stream to the bedroom. Airplay makes things a lot simpler. You don't have to re-sync through iTunes nor do you have to go into the other AppleTV, search for the podcast, forward to where you left off and then resume playing. For the time being, this seems like the best work around.

I see two different ways to sync the content properly.

For those that can Airplay, you airplay to AppleTV and Mac from your iOS device (which is synced via iCloud).

For those that can't Airplay, you sync through iTunes.

I even use the Airplay setup to stream my Podcasts to a Windows PC haha

Message was edited by: Scionwest

Read the thread. It is full of suggestions, work arounds, & experiments from me and many others to try and get this working properly. So everything you just typed is meaningless, you would have known all of that if you actually read the thread.

BTW, my entire post was about the Downcast Mac App being released as a "workaround." You seem like you are taking things personal because myself & WGQ said your option would not work for us. Lighten up!

Not taking it personal. I just get annoyed when people tell me I haven't read the thread, when I was involved in the recommendation posts 4 months ago and have read every post on this topic sense (and prior). Just because I offer a work around that you might not like doesn't mean I haven't read the background on this. No need to try and make those that at least try to offer solutions (instead of only complaining) look ignorant.

You jumped in and said this "The problem is that people want it perfect (as it should be), and are not willing to mess with work arounds" and other similar statements, impying that this thread was full of complainers and people who are only interested in the right solution.

I think if you go back and re-read the thread, you will find that many people who have been contributing have invested a huge amount of time trying different configurations and workarounds to 1) characterize the issues, and 2) try workarounds. I answered a question tonight when someone asked if the problems have been solved and for some reason that prompted you to jump in and say "stop complaining, use workarounds, they're fine." Pretty irritating.

I've tried everything you've suggested–and a lot more–and my issues aren't addressed. Your suggestions are less effective than my current workaround.

BTW – if you think AirPlay from an iOS device to an ATV delivers the same video and 5.1 sound quality as an ethernet-connected ATV, it's time for a new optical prescription and perhaps some sound appreciation research.

All workarounds agreed and used. BUT as a frequent traveller who is NOT connected to the Cloud for a large part of my day I rely on the AM synch. I don't want to download big files to several devices. Even when I am connected on the road its not always easy or possble to download email, or twitter let alone video and as said the streaming quality over airplay is pretty rubbish. I've been with Apple since the 80s sold their products to anyone listening on the brilliant hard to replicate eco system built from the bottom up. Look and feel has waxed and waned, power never was their strength. If APPLE cannot even be bothered to read their own forum and respond to something this BIG I think we need to escalate this discussion to the big hedge funds. ANYONE listening ?👿

Agree. And the whole reason I bought an iMAC last month, my first Apple computer was this whole issue. Brand new computer, brand new Classic iPOD, and the functions I primarily use is not working. This system is NOT for musicians as people told me for years. What have I done.

I've been trying to sift through this thread and other related searches this morning, and I'm getting a little lost, so pardon me if I've missed something that's already been covered, but here's the problem I had this morning:

- I had a podcast that I was subscribed to on my Mac and on my phone.

- The phone settings were such that the Subscription status was "on" and it was set to keep ALL episodes.

- I fired up the app this morning and the new episode of the podcast I wanted to listen to started downloading... and all the previous episodes I already had on the device suddenly vanished. I DID NOT WANT them to auto-delete. I thought the settings were such that they shouldn't have done that.

For now I've gone and re-downloaded them all, but what went wrong there and how can I prevent it?

I have been using Music for my podcasts since I bought my iPhone 5 last year. I know others who switched to the app and couldn't get back to Music. Now when I try to download or synch, it tells me I must go to the app. BUT the app gets terrible reviews. Am I doomed to lose all my stored up podcasts- in chronological order!- for the willy-nilly Podcast app? Help!

You need to download and sync via iTunes on a Mac or PC. You can't download podcasts directly onto IOS devices without the podcast app. For me, that's a small sacrifice compared to the mountain of frustration caused by the Podcast app.....

Buy Downcast for iOS and your Mac. It will solve every Podcast problem you have. Best thing I ever did.

I am also using Downcast. Love it!

iCloud sync with Downcast on an iPhone 5, iPad 3, 2008 iMac, 2011 iMac, & a 2012 MacBook Pro & there is never an issue. It just simply works!

jockblue1: Currently,when I try to synch it shows that there are no podcasts in iTunes. WhenI try to "get more episodes" on my phone, it tell me I have to get them through the app.

Lock24: Is Downcast an alternative to the Podcast app?

Basically, I can't do what I have been doing since I bought my first iPhone in 2009. Correct?