Can you revert to the previous version of the podcast app? The new one is horrible

Basically no, Apple have now stopped signing the previous version of iOS as per this article,

https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/04/downgrade-from-ios-11-back-to-ios-10/

and because the old Podcasts App is linked to the previous iOS it is therefore no longer available.

You could report your frustration to Apple directly (not sure they always read these posts) on Feedback - Podcasts - Apple

They do say they always read the reports (at top of page) so if enough submit it just might bring about some changes, other than that voting with your feet (as they say) by changing to an alternative App is the only remaining option. Not sure about this but again if enough abandon the Podcasts App, Apple may get the message because they surely monitor usage numbers over time, and if that starts decreasing they might just be concerned to why.

Apple is no longer signing 10.3.3 or 11.0.0 now and because of this if you try and Restore using iTunes with either it will push you to the latest software ie 11.0.3 - I don't think there is any way around this, again, another site which reports same http://www.idownloadblog.com/2017/10/04/apple-closes-the-signing-window-for-ios- 11-0/

This site tracks which versions are currently being signed https://ipsw.me/ and for me (using iPhone SE) it's currently 11.0.1 to 11.0.3 as shown below

Dave, it isn't unusable. Apple made it simpler and removed some procedures so it just takes a little getting use to. Perhaps this will help.

iOS 11 Podcasts App – Simpler, but a Major Departure from iOS 10

The iOS 11 Podcasts App took a major step toward simplicity over previous versions, however, after first introducing Stations as a replacement for iTunes Playlists with iOS 10, it now forces a manual transition to Stations since iTunes Playlists no longer appear in the app. It also only permits Autoplay within Stations, introduces the term Shows and eliminates the Mark As Played feature for an individual podcast Episode or a selected group of Episodes.

To move around the app, one needs to understand three terms:

• Episode – a single event of a Show such as a single evening’s recording of the PBS NewsHour.
• Show – a podcast subscription, such as the daily PBS NewsHour.
• Station – a collection of Shows in whatever grouping you choose such as News

PODCASTS APP SETTINGS

It is wise to choose your preferences in iPhone>Settings>Podcasts before you subscribe to several Shows as those preferences will be the defaults for each Show. You can also change preferences for a particular Show, such as the PBS NewsHour by going to Library>Shows>PBS NewsHour, clicking the blue three-dot icon to the right of the Show’s name, then choosing Settings.

Note you can choose to download Only New Episodes as they become available, All Unplayed Episodes or none, should you choose to review an Episode’s title in Available Episodes on its Show’s screen before downloading it. You can also choose to keep played Episodes, should you wish to listen to them repeatedly, or delete them automatically once heard. Played Episodes remain on your device for 24 hours after being played, though the titles remain in Available Episodes on the Shows screen. A previous Episode, if still available, can be downloaded again by clicking the plus sign to the right of its title.

Below are my settings preferences for the Podcasts App (left), Stations (center) and Shows (right), which might be a handy starting point, if you have questions or problems.

SUBSCRIBING TO A SHOW

You can subscribe to a Show using the search icon at the bottom of the app or through iTunes. You can also choose to download a single Episode rather than to subscribe to all future Episodes of a Show.

CREATING A STATION

Stations can be created, named and edited in the app at Library>Edit (upper right)>New Station or in iTunes. Shows can be added to a Station or removed by opening the Station in the Library screen and choosing Edit (upper right)>Settings>Choose Podcasts, then placing (or removing). a check mark to the right of the Show. A Station’s Shows can also be added or removed in iTunes.

AUTOPLAY

Episodes can only be Autoplayed within a Station; not in Listen Now, on a Show’s screen or in the Episodes list in the Library screen. Simply open a Station in the Library and click the top Episode. The remaining Episodes will play in sequence. In each Station’s settings you can designate whether the Episodes are sorted and played from oldest to newest, the reverse or manually. Episodes not fully downloaded can be streamed when on Wifi, however, Autoplay will stop at the Episode, if only on mobile data, regardless of the Podcasts App settings for mobile data.

SIRI

Siri enhances convenience and SAFETY, particularly when driving or walking quickly. For example just say “Play xxx Station in Podcasts” to have Siri open the app and Autoplay available Episodes in a Station.

REMOVING AN EPISODE

To remove an Episode from a Station, Episodes or Listen Now simply swish it to the left. It will no longer be in the list, however, it can be retrieved in Available Episodes on its Show page.

SYNC WITH ITUNES

As you transition to the iOS 11 Podcasts app, there may be some glitches when you first sync with iTunes. The best solution is to clean up iTunes after syncing by correcting mismatches. From then on syncing should be more accurate.

HELP REFERENCES

• https://www.howtoisolve.com/podcasts-not-working-on-iphone-ipad-ios/
• “iPhone User Guide for iOS 11”, iBooks version, pages 917-928.
• http://file.iphone7manuals.com/iPhone-7-User-Guide-for-iOS-11.pdf

Upon experiencing the iOS 11 version for the first time it IS unusable. Imagine if you had to spend a half hour trying to figure out how to start your car —or even to make a slice of toast after some gratuitous “improvement.” Most people listen to podcasts on the go and don’t want to mess with setting up a “Station” —they just want to listen to the most recent downloads seamlessly while they’re suffering through their crappy commute.

<<Played episodes aren’t clearly marked. Also, deleting pods is difficult.>>

Autoplay only works in Stations. If Delete Played Episodes in the Podcasts settings (left pic in tutorial above) is on and Unplayed Only in the Station settings (middle pic) is on, Played Episodes will disappear from the Station once played. The titles will still be in Available Episodes and Previously Played in the Show screen for the episode in case you want to re-add them to an unplayed status.

Are you saying deleting Episodes or Shows is difficult? If it is Episodes, I share your lament that they cannot be deleted in bulk. We must swish each to the left.

If Apple have "simplified" something that people have used for over 15 years, specifically playlists, and moving it around and hiding it and basically confusing their customers, it's hardly a simplification. Let's not forget that "Podcast" is names after the iconic Apple iPod, and has worked brilliantly for over as an easy way to manage RSS content from a variety of sources and a variety of content types and order them into a very simple to manage sets of playlists. But now, Apple's arrogance is to redefine simplicity with something that looks and feels dumb and stupid.

I'm heading off to find an alternative app as I am disappointed with Apple's apparent destruction of podcasting. Actually, I much preferred podcasts when they were integrated within the original music app because flicking between podcast playlists and music playlists was a no brainer. IMHO, the introduction of the Podcast app was a backward step and this iOS 11 version has all but killed my enjoyment of podcasts.

Well said. If I wanted to fiddle with something I would go buy a Microsoft product. What it looks like it’s happened here is one of Bill Gates IT guys has infiltrated Apple and created a monstrosity that’s neither simple nor intuitive. Very reminiscent of The old MS-DOS days where you would get stuck in a repetitive feedback loop and simply bogg down. They have blown up podcasting indeed. Obviously designed by a chiphead for a chiphead and not for the bulk of individuals who live busy lives and have better things to do then fuss over their podcasting app… They just want it to work… Simply, every time, like any good analog tool.

DaveDisanti,

I have been doing some research... If you're interested in reverting iOS 10.3.3, I would start buy downloading your respective iOS file from here:

http://www.redmondpie.com/download-ios-10.3.3-final-ipsw-links-for-iphone-ipad-i pod-touch/

I'm still doing research on Apple iOS signing and how you can get it signed... But get it before Apple removes it from their servers.

-Jason

jasonmadruga84 wrote:

it does show the iPhone 6S as till being signed with 10.3.3:

Yes, but for how long, although site shows 6S still having the option, the 6S+, 6, 6+, 5 and my SE don't - understand why SE might have it disappear first (still a reasonably powerful device helped by smaller screen size) but having the option withdrawn for 5 doesn't seem logical.

On the other hand it might just be a mistake on the site and they haven't yet got round to updating the 6S section, to find out 6S owners will have to try and see if the restore process works (and do it quickly!).

SiHancox,

That's a very informative and useful site... it does show the iPhone 6S as till being signed with 10.3.3:

https://ipsw.me/#!/platform

Thanks for the input,

-Jason