Apple's 'Podcasts' App Crashing on Launch

podcastsApple's Podcasts app appears to be malfunctioning for many users, crashing directly after being launched on both devices running iOS 7.1.1 and devices running iOS 8 beta 2. Multiple reports of the crashes have surfaced on Twitter, and MacRumors' own testing also revealed the same crashing-after-launch issue.

While the app will temporarily open after being tapped, it closes automatically just seconds later. The Podcasts app was last updated to version 2.1.2 with minor bug fixes on May 29, so it is unclear what is causing the app to crash.

Podcasts is one of Apple's most poorly rated apps and has been widely criticized for performance issues, with users complaining about syncing problems, podcasts being deleted, and more. Apple attempted to resolve some of these issues with Podcasts version 2.1, which introduced improved episode browsing, Siri integration, and syncing fixes, but the app continues to have a two star rating in the App Store.

As of iOS 8 beta 2, Podcasts is a default iOS app that comes pre-installed on iOS devices, meaning it can no longer be deleted. This change is expected to make its way into the public release of iOS 8, coming later this year.

The crashing issue appears to have begun this morning and it is unknown when a fix might be available.

Update 2:30 PM PT: Some users have had success turning on Airplane Mode and then opening the Podcasts app. This prevents it from crashing, and the app appears to stay open for some users after Airplane Mode is turned off, allowing it to function normally.

Update 10:00 PM PT: Users are now reporting that the Podcasts app is functioning normally once again.

Update 7/1 11:00 AM PT: The Podcasts app appears to be experiencing crashing issues once more, but the Airplane Mode fix continues to work for some users.

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2025 in 10 Minutes

Monday June 9, 2025 5:21 pm PDT by
At today's WWDC 2025 keynote event, Apple unveiled a new design that will inform the next decade of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS development, so needless to say, it was a busy day. Apple also unveiled a ton of new features for the iPhone, an overhauled Spotlight interface for the Mac, and a ton of updates that make the iPad more like a Mac than ever before. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iPadOS 26 Apple Newsroom

Apple Says iPadOS 26 is Compatible With These iPad Models

Monday June 9, 2025 11:22 am PDT by
Apple today announced that iPadOS 26 will be compatible with the iPad models listed below. iPadOS 26 features a new Liquid Glass design, a menu bar, improved app windowing, and more. iPadOS 26 supports the following iPad models:iPad Pro (M4) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later) iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later) iPad Air (M2 and later) iPad Air (3rd generation and...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday June 12, 2025 8:58 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
apple beta 26 lineup

Apple 'Sherlocked' These Apps at WWDC 2025

Wednesday June 11, 2025 7:14 am PDT by
Apple at WWDC previewed a bunch of new features coming in its updated operating systems, but certain changes will have been met with dismay by third-party developers who already offer apps with equivalent or similar features. In other words, their product has been "sherlocked" by Apple. When Apple creates an app or a feature that has functionality found in a third-party app, it is referred...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Says These 13 Vehicle Brands Will Soon Offer iPhone Car Keys

Monday June 9, 2025 2:38 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote today, Apple said that 13...
iOS 26 Screens

Here Are All the iOS 26 Features That Require iPhone 15 Pro or Newer

Thursday June 12, 2025 4:53 am PDT by
With iOS 26, Apple has introduced some major changes to the iPhone experience, headlined by the new Liquid Glass redesign that's available across all compatible devices. However, several of the update's features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, since they rely on Apple Intelligence. The following features are powered by on-device large language models and machine...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 26 Includes These 100 New Features and Changes for Your iPhone

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:59 am PDT by
Apple has announced iOS 26, and the upcoming software update includes a long list of new features and changes for iPhones. The first iOS 26 developer beta is now available, and a public beta will follow next month. The update will be released later this year. iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer. Below, we have provided a high-level overview of 100 new features and changes ...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

Hate iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design? Here's How to Tone It Down

Wednesday June 11, 2025 4:22 pm PDT by
iOS 26 features a whole new design material that Apple calls Liquid Glass, with a focus on transparency that lets the content on your display shine through the controls. If you're not a fan of the look, or are having trouble with readability, there is a step that you can take to make things more opaque without entirely losing out on the new look. Apple has multiple Accessibility options that ...

Top Rated Comments

ignusfast Avatar
143 months ago
What a piece of ****. Amazing that Apple took a perfectly good podcasting application and thoroughly broke it just to add all the sync garbage.

Podcasting still works perfectly... On my several-year-old Nano.

So sad.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QCassidy352 Avatar
143 months ago
Podcasts crashed the first two times I tried to open it today but stayed open after that.

Generally, I don't know why it's so poorly rated. It's simple but does everything I want in a podcast app.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SMIDG3T Avatar
143 months ago
It's simple.

On 7.1.1, it's not acceptable.

On iOS 8, it is because it's a BETA.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frikova Avatar
143 months ago
I'm on iOS 7.1.1, iPhone 5s and latest Podcast app and it is working without problems.

Also, I don't know why people keeps hating this app, it has been getting better and now it is quite good.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bigandtasty Avatar
143 months ago
Did you get that from the Apple keynote? Hahahahaha.

So where do you put widgets on iOS8? Can you tell me what the point of a widget is?

Can your phone read webpages to you while you're driving?

Can you use a calculator and look at an email at the same time or take notes and look at an email or image at the same time?

The only thing iPhone has over Android phones is hardware design.

Free yourself.


Somebody ban this guy. Beat it troll!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
143 months ago
I haven't experienced a single crash with the Podcasts app. It's rock solid. Could it be happening only on jailbroken devices?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)