Where did iTunes (podcast) Playlists go in iOS 11?

Prior to iOS 11, at the top of the “My Podcasts” section of the AppLe Podcasts app there was a “iTunes Playlists” item which took you to a screen that lists the playlists created and maintained in iTunes. It appears to be gone in iOS 11.

I’ve come to depend on that because every weekend I build a podcast playlist for the week on my Mac, sync to my iPhone, and I’m all set for long drivrd, etc. without having to fiddle with my iPhone.

I really hope I’m just looking in the wrong place, but I’ve scoured the Podcasts app and it seems to have disappeared. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Posted on Sep 20, 2017 9:43 PM

Top-ranking reply

Steve Davidson Author

Level 3

560 points

Posted on Oct 4, 2017 7:03 PM

Kaa, well put, and an excellent demonstration of the point. By doing a search on the unique Playlist name I created in iTunes, the iPhone's Spotlight Search finds it, identifies it as being in the Podcasts app, and by tapping on the item in Spotlight, I can access the Playlist as before. However, when looking for that same, uniquely-named Playlist within the Podcasts app, I'm totally out of luck -- it's not there. See image.

I think that demonstrates nicely that the Playlist is there, but someone at Apple forgot to provide the UI to access it. But this tip makes it possible to use Podcasts again (albeit with a bit more difficulty -- but I'll take it!).

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66 replies

Nov 19, 2017 6:57 AM in response to Steve Davidson

I'm sooo glad someone else has this issue. Wish I'd come here first before updating my Ipod. I too don't want to stream or download. It's easier to do so from Itunes, connect my Ipod and it's all there. I hate the Station function - it's crap. Can we please sort this so I don't have to use Stations. Itunes used to be fantastic, with each update it gets worse and worse. Really starting to hate it. If I didn't have all my music and playlists on there I'd switch to another programme.

Kaa

Level 1

45 points

Dec 23, 2017 12:09 AM in response to Fabisch_Factor

Yeah, good luck making Stations do ANYTHING useful that playlists will do. Sort/arrange by time, include shows that are off the feed, etc.

Stations are useless. If Apple was trying to just kill the Podcasts app, they have accomplished that. *SLOW APPLAUSE* Good work, Apple. Good. Work.

Sep 20, 2017 9:53 PM in response to Steve Davidson

Just noticed a thread from earlier in the day on this topic. I am abandoning this one (wish I could just kill it off) and joining that one.

Sep 23, 2017 7:35 PM in response to Steve Davidson

Link?

Sep 28, 2017 1:33 PM in response to PhoneJoe

can't find mine 😟

PhoneJoe

Level 1

4 points

Sep 30, 2017 7:06 AM in response to daredevildan

I forgot to mention: You first have to create the playlist in iTunes, then drag and drop into your phone.

Sep 30, 2017 6:47 PM in response to PhoneJoe

Thank you, Joe.

Oct 1, 2017 3:22 AM in response to PhoneJoe

Unfortunately, that still didn't work for me. Can't find it in Search.

Oct 3, 2017 2:38 PM in response to Kaa

Aw crap. So is this a new "feature" or a bug they are going to fix?

Kaa

Level 1

45 points

Oct 23, 2017 9:26 AM in response to NoNameFromEastCoast

Yes, this annoys me to NO END. You might say it drives me to distraction.

(Puns are my way of not punching something in the face.)

Blaqice

Level 1

4 points

Oct 23, 2017 9:36 AM in response to Steve Davidson

DONE!

I appreciate the suggestion. Say no more.

Maybe talking with our feet will promote positive change.

K Mac

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2017 5:07 AM in response to Steve Davidson

Do you ever wonder whether the Apple folks who to maintain iTunes and Podcasts actually use it? It just seems likes most updates are steps backwards for no discernible reason.

Blaqice

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2017 7:42 AM in response to K Mac

No. I speak with my feet. No one has time to waste with this ridiculousness.

Nov 3, 2017 7:40 PM in response to Steve Davidson

can I transfer existing podcast playlists to PodCruncher?

Nov 4, 2017 6:01 AM in response to PTSMfrommelbourne

I didn’t find a way (there may be none), so I did it manually with my Mac and iPhone sitting side by side until I was satisfied that PodCruncher was ready (a one-time process).

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Where did iTunes (podcast) Playlists go in iOS 11?