As Google Podcasts gears down for its impending closure, YouTube Music is adding a new auto-download feature for podcasts. Users can now automatically download the latest episodes of their favorite shows for offline listening.
Auto-downloads in YouTube Music are set up on a per-show and per-device basis, requiring individual activation for each. Unlike Google Podcasts, which has a dedicated Auto Downloading page, YouTube Music users will have to manage their downloads through the Library tab under the Podcasts filter. To activate this feature, users can navigate to a podcast show page and tap the settings gear icon, followed by the “Turn on auto-downloads” button.
Currently, the platform does not automatically delete episodes after they have been listened to, a feature that exists in other podcast clients like Google Podcasts. Google Podcasts also offers more granular control over auto-removal settings, allowing users to specify the time frame for removal of both completed and unfinished episodes.
The auto-download feature is available in version 6.21 of YouTube Music for both Android and iOS devices. Many users are eagerly awaiting the addition of RSS subscription capabilities, which would allow YouTube Music to function as a more conventional podcast player without requiring video uploads.
