Google is shutting down its Podcasts app in the U.S. within days. The company has started notifying the app’s users to transfer their subscriptions to YouTube Music by April 2 to keep following and listening to their favorite shows. Users who delay the transfer will still have some time to migrate, but won’t be able to stream from the Podcasts app directly after this date.
With over 500 million installations on Android devices worldwide for more than five years, the Google Podcasts app has been known for its user-friendly interface for discovering, subscribing, and listening to podcasts. Unfortunately, last September, Google announced its plan to phase out the Podcasts app in early 2024 as part of its strategy to consolidate its audio services under YouTube.
In 2020, YouTube Music successfully transitioned music listeners from Google Play Music before its shutdown. However, the Podcasts app remained active as YouTube Music wasn’t initially equipped to support podcasts. By the end of 2023, YouTube Music globally supported podcasts, and in February, users gained the ability to upload their RSS feeds as well.
The shift to integrate podcasts into YouTube aims to strengthen Google’s presence in the podcasting sector by consolidating efforts and focusing on enhancing services, particularly with the increasing popularity of video podcasts on the platform. This week, Spotify partnered with Universal Music Group (UMG) to bring video podcasts to U.S. users, following tests of video podcasts in multiple international markets announced earlier in March.
Bleeping Computer first reported the closure date of Google Podcasts in the U.S., with a Google support page confirming that U.S. users can access the Podcasts app until the end of March 2024. In case users miss the app notifications, Google will extend the deadline to save subscriptions by enabling them to use the app’s export feature until July 2024.
Google has yet to provide a timeline for discontinuing Google Podcasts in other regions.
Updated on 3/29/24, 5:00 PM ET with a comment from Google.
