New Apple Podcast features on iOS18: Everything you need to know

Apple's Podcast app now offers time-stamped links, similar to third-party podcast apps

Tech Desk - Jul 30, 2024

An undated image of Apple Podcasts app. — depositphotos

Apple has already released the iOS 18 beta as an update to developers and beta testers, introducing various new features to its devices.

Similarly, Apple Podcasts, an audio streaming service app of the Cupertino-based company debuted a handful of upgrades with iOS 18.

Apple Podcast is one of the most used podcast apps worldwide just like Spotify Podcasts and Google Podcasts. However, the newly added features will make it a tough contender against its opponents.

Apple Podcasts new features in iOS 18

Chapter markers in playback scrubber

With the upgrade, if a podcast offers chapters, you’ll see all of those chapters demarcated in the playback scrubber with the current chapter title displayed above.

This change is a nice alternative to the dedicated chapter list. Now when you scrub through the playback bar, you’ll get the added context provided by chapter markers.

Time stamped links

Apple Podcast is now offering time-stamped links similar to Third-party podcast apps as sharing long-form audio content has always been a challenge. These links allow you to jump straight to a specific portion of a show.

Linked chapters in episode descriptions

Previously in Apple Podcasts, the time stamps were simply plain text in the episode description. In iOS 18, the plain time-stamped links are automatically converted into links.

This means you can tap on a given time in the episode description and the app will directly send you to that portion of the episode.

Faster search results

Previously, in Apple’s devices such as iOS 17, you had to enter a complete search query before getting any results. The app will provide query suggestions after you have typed.

Now, similar to Music and TV apps, Apple Podcasts will pull in search results with every character you type making searches easier than ever.

Although these upgrades in iOS 18 aren’t huge enough but still make a meaningful difference, making Apple Podcasts a good option for podcast listeners.