How to Set Up Podcast and Audiobook Apps on Your Phone

Published 2026-10-16 · Marion Phone Repair

Podcasts and audiobooks turn idle time into something useful or entertaining — commutes, workouts, cooking, yard work, and errands all become opportunities to learn or be entertained. If you have not used podcast or audiobook apps before, getting started is straightforward once you know which apps to use and how they work.

Podcast apps

Podcasts are free episodic audio shows covering virtually every topic. New episodes are released on a schedule (daily, weekly, or irregularly depending on the show). When you subscribe to a podcast, new episodes download or stream automatically.

iPhone: Apple Podcasts

  • Apple Podcasts comes preinstalled on every iPhone. Open the purple Podcasts app
  • Tap Browse or Search to find podcasts by name, topic, or category
  • When you find a show you want to follow, tap Follow. New episodes will appear in your Library automatically when they are released
  • Tap any episode to play it. The player controls appear at the bottom of the screen — play, pause, skip forward 15 seconds, skip back 15 seconds, and playback speed
  • Downloaded episodes are available offline (useful for airplane mode or areas with poor signal). Tap the download icon next to an episode to save it to your phone

Android: Google Podcasts and alternatives

  • Google has integrated podcasts into YouTube Music. Open YouTube Music and look for the Podcasts section
  • Alternatively, install a dedicated podcast app from the Play Store. Popular options include Pocket Casts, Spotify (which includes podcasts alongside music), and Podcast Addict
  • The core workflow is the same regardless of app: search for a podcast, subscribe or follow it, and new episodes appear in your library

Spotify for podcasts

  • Spotify includes a large podcast library alongside its music catalog. If you already use Spotify for music, you can manage podcasts in the same app
  • Search for a podcast name, tap the show, and tap Follow. New episodes appear in Your Library under Podcasts
  • Spotify free tier includes full access to podcasts with occasional ads (separate from any ads within the podcast itself)

Podcast app features to know

  • Playback speed: Most podcast apps let you speed up or slow down playback. Listening at 1.2x or 1.5x speed lets you get through episodes faster without making the audio unintelligible. Start at 1.2x and increase gradually until you find a comfortable speed
  • Sleep timer: Sets the app to stop playing after a set time. Useful for listening in bed — the podcast stops after 15, 30, or 60 minutes instead of playing all night
  • Download for offline: Download episodes over Wi-Fi to listen later without using cellular data. Useful for flights, subway commutes, and areas without signal
  • Skip silence: Some apps can detect and skip silent gaps in audio, slightly shortening episodes without changing the speaking speed. Pocket Casts calls this Trim Silence
  • Queues and playlists: Line up multiple episodes to play in sequence. Useful for long drives or listening sessions

Audiobook apps

Audiobooks are professionally narrated full-length books. Unlike podcasts, audiobooks are typically purchased individually or accessed through a subscription service.

Audible

  • The largest audiobook platform. Available on iPhone and Android
  • Subscription model: a monthly membership includes one or two credits per month, each redeemable for one audiobook regardless of price. Additional books can be purchased at a member discount
  • The library is extensive — most popular books and many backlist titles are available
  • The app includes bookmarking, playback speed control, sleep timer, and chapter navigation
  • Books you purchase stay in your library permanently, even if you cancel the subscription

Libby (library audiobooks)

  • Libby connects to your local public library and lets you borrow audiobooks for free with a library card
  • Install Libby from the App Store or Play Store. Enter your library card number to connect your account
  • Browse or search the library collection. Available titles can be borrowed immediately. Popular titles may have a waitlist — you join the queue and the book automatically downloads when your turn arrives
  • Borrowed audiobooks expire after the lending period (usually 14 or 21 days) and return automatically. No late fees
  • The selection depends on your library system. Larger library networks have more titles available. You can hold cards from multiple library systems to expand your selection

Apple Books

  • Apple Books on iPhone includes an audiobook store alongside ebooks
  • Audiobooks are purchased individually at full price — no subscription model
  • The app is simple and well-integrated with iPhone. Purchases sync across all your Apple devices
  • The selection is large but slightly smaller than Audible for some categories

Google Play Books

  • Google Play Books on Android includes audiobooks purchased individually
  • Similar to Apple Books — no subscription, individual purchases, syncs across devices with your Google account

Spotify audiobooks

  • Spotify Premium subscribers get a monthly allocation of audiobook listening hours included in their subscription
  • The audiobook catalog has grown significantly. If you already pay for Spotify Premium, check whether the books you want are available before purchasing elsewhere

Getting the most from audio content

Finding podcasts you will enjoy

  • Start with topics you already care about — your hobbies, profession, or current interests. Search for those topics in your podcast app and try the top-rated results
  • Ask friends and coworkers what they listen to. Personal recommendations often lead to the most enjoyable discoveries
  • Browse curated lists in your podcast app. Most apps feature editorial picks organized by category
  • Give a new podcast at least two or three episodes before deciding whether you like it. First episodes are not always representative of the show quality

Managing storage

  • Audio files consume storage space. A one-hour podcast episode is typically 30 to 60 MB. An audiobook can be 300 MB to over 1 GB depending on length
  • Configure your podcast app to automatically delete episodes after you listen to them. This prevents old episodes from accumulating and filling your storage
  • Set download limits — most apps let you specify how many episodes to keep downloaded per show. Three to five episodes is usually sufficient
  • Stream instead of downloading if you have reliable cellular data and are not concerned about data usage

Audio quality settings

  • Podcasts are typically available in one quality level set by the publisher. Some apps offer a low-data-usage mode that streams at lower quality to save cellular data
  • Audiobooks are usually provided at a fixed quality. Download over Wi-Fi to avoid large cellular data charges

Bluetooth and audio output

  • Bluetooth earbuds and headphones: Wireless audio makes podcast and audiobook listening seamless during activities. Pair your Bluetooth audio device in Settings, Bluetooth on your phone
  • Car Bluetooth: Most modern cars connect to your phone over Bluetooth and play audio through the car speakers. Podcasts and audiobooks play through the car system exactly like music
  • Smart speakers: You can cast audio from your phone to smart speakers. Ask your smart speaker to play a specific podcast or use the casting feature in your podcast app

Need help with your phone?

If you are having trouble with audio playback, Bluetooth connectivity, app installation, or storage management on your phone, Marion Phone Repair can help diagnose and fix the issue so you can get back to listening.

← Back to Blog

Need help with your phone?

Same-day repairs, transparent pricing, and a 90-day warranty on every fix.

Marion Phone Repair →

(740) 361-2306 · 731 E Center St #200, Marion, OH

Need phone help?

(740) 361-2306 · Walk-ins Mon–Fri 10–6