How to Sync Podcasts Between Devices
This question is part of the column tips “ Ask Lifehacker» , where Lifehacker staff answers to the burning questions of the readers practical advice. After all, some of the best hacks involve the most annoying problems.
Dear Lifehacker:
As an Android and iOS user, is there a way to sync my podcast feed between iOS and Android and be able to just start listening from where I left off on any device? I think Stitcher might be the only option for this, but with an Amazon Echo it would be nice to have my Echo play from where I left off.
Thanks for the great job and any help you can get!
Darrell
Dear Darrell:
Hi Darrell! As an avid podcast listener and owner of iOS and Android devices, I feel your pain. Launching your favorite podcast on one device and finishing it on another shouldn’t feel like rocket science. Although I have Google Home , I also use my voice assistant to play the latest episodes of my favorite shows. Here’s how you can do it too.
Try Pocket Casts for Cross-Platform Synchronization
Some podcast apps let you listen to music on iOS or Android, as well as on the web. Luckily, you can easily sync your podcasts between the two mobile operating systems if you’re using the right app. There aren’t many options to choose from, but you’ve already named one. Stitcher is really useful for multi-platform listening and syncs your podcasts and listening position across devices.
That being said, I find the Pocket Casts podcast app to be more user-friendly and reliable than Stitcher. The cross-platform app can sync your podcasts between your iOS and Android devices, supports control via Android Wear and Apple Watch wearables, and even offers web usability (after a one-time $ 9 fee).
What’s more, you can schedule podcast updates over Wi-Fi or overnight, adjust the playback speed, and create your own playlists manually or using filters. Unfortunately, while it does support playback through Google Home, Amazon Echo does not support it yet.
Listening to podcasts with voice assistants
Now about how you listen to podcasts through Amazon Echo. It’s pretty easy to get your Echo to play the latest episode of your favorite show – perfect for news podcasts – but it’s a little more difficult to listen to the back catalog of the show. Echo gets its podcast list from TuneIn, which has over 5 million podcasts in its repertoire.
You can use the Alexa app to manage TuneIn podcasts on your phone, but the interface is horribly organized and includes little-known categories mixed with more traditional podcast genres. It’s not exactly fun to use, but you can search for podcasts by title and select an episode from there.
Want to listen to your favorite podcast on Community Radio? Just say “Alexa, play the Welcome to Night Vale podcast” to play it on your Echo. If you need to go back, you can ask him to replay the previous episode, but you can only move forward (or rewind) one episode at a time. However, it doesn’t remember where you are or sync with your other devices, so if you choose to revisit your podcast by listening to it later, you’ll be back where you started.
Bluetooth is always an option (unless it is)
Of course, you can listen to the episode released a few weeks ago. If you want more control, you can use your own podcast app, in this case Stitcher or Pocket Casts. How do you make it play on your Echo? Simple: pair your phone and Echo via Bluetooth.
Tell your Echo to “pair Bluetooth” so that it connects to your smartphone. From there, you can treat your Echo like a normal speaker. You won’t be able to control playback with your voice, but at least your podcasts spread quickly in your living room.
While Google Home doesn’t support Bluetooth playback ( yet ), you can also play your podcasts by asking your virtual assistant. If you ask it for the latest Lifehacker’s The Upgrade , it will launch immediately. You can also play podcasts with supported podcast apps like Pocket Casts. Just say “Ok Google, play Kotaku Splitscreen from Pocket Casts” to enjoy an exciting conversation about Final Fantasy XII (I’m assuming you’re a Final Fantasy XII fan).
Yes, there is still a lot to be done when it comes to syncing podcasts across every audio-enabled device, but right now, the combination of the right voice assistant and the right podcast app should solve your podcast sync problems.
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