Deleting Podcast Episodes from iTunes: A Comprehensive Guide

Removing a podcast episode from iTunes (now Apple Podcasts) involves different processes depending on whether you’re a listener wanting to clear downloaded episodes or a podcaster needing to remove content from the Apple Podcasts directory. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for both scenarios, ensuring your podcast library or podcast feed remains precisely as you intend.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Two Perspectives: Listener vs. Podcaster

It’s crucial to distinguish between the actions a listener takes to remove episodes from their personal device and the actions a podcaster takes to remove an episode from the public Apple Podcasts directory. Listeners primarily deal with managing downloaded files, while podcasters concern themselves with updating their RSS feed.

For Listeners: Managing Downloads on Your Device

As a listener, you’re likely seeking to free up storage space or simply declutter your podcast library. Removing episodes is a straightforward process.

For Podcasters: Removing Content from the Apple Podcasts Directory

Podcasters need to understand how Apple Podcasts pulls content from their RSS feed. Removing an episode here requires modifying that feed. Deleting the actual audio file from your hosting platform is NOT sufficient; the RSS feed tells Apple Podcasts what to display.

Deleting Podcast Episodes as a Listener: A Step-by-Step Guide

This section focuses on removing episodes from your devices. The process varies slightly depending on the platform you are using.

Deleting Episodes on iPhone or iPad

Open the Podcasts app. This is the default app that comes pre-installed on iOS devices.
Navigate to the podcast containing the episode you want to delete. You can find your subscribed podcasts in the “Library” tab.
Find the episode. Scroll through the list of episodes in the podcast feed until you locate the one you want to remove.
Tap the three dots (…) next to the episode title. This will open a context menu with several options.
Select “Remove Download.” This will delete the episode from your device’s storage.
(Optional) Choose “Delete from Library” to entirely remove the episode from your podcast library, even if you haven’t downloaded it. Be cautious with this option; it might remove the entire podcast if there are no other downloaded episodes.

Deleting Episodes on Your Computer (iTunes/Music App)

The process differs slightly depending on whether you are using iTunes (older macOS versions) or the Music app (newer macOS versions).

Using iTunes (older macOS):
1. Open iTunes.
2. Navigate to the “Podcasts” section. You’ll find this in the left sidebar.
3. Select the podcast you want to manage.
4. Find the episode.
5. Right-click on the episode title.
6. Select “Delete from Library” or, if the episode is downloaded, “Delete Download.”
Using the Music App (newer macOS):
1. Open the Music app.
2. Navigate to “Podcasts” in the sidebar.
3. Select the podcast you want to manage.
4. Locate the episode.
5. Right-click on the episode.
6. Select “Delete from Library” or “Remove Download” if it’s downloaded.

Dealing with Streaming Episodes

If you haven’t downloaded an episode and only streamed it, it isn’t stored on your device. Therefore, there’s nothing to delete. Simply stop listening to it, and it won’t consume storage space. However, to prevent it from reappearing, you can remove it from your listening history (if the podcast app provides this functionality).

Deleting a Podcast Episode as a Podcaster: Removing Content from Apple Podcasts

This is a more involved process requiring direct manipulation of your podcast’s RSS feed. Remember, Apple Podcasts retrieves information from your feed, so modifications there are crucial.

Steps to Remove an Episode from Your RSS Feed

Access your podcast hosting platform. Log in to the platform where you host your podcast files and manage your RSS feed (e.g., Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Podbean).
Locate the episode you want to remove. Navigate to the list of published episodes.
Remove or Unpublish the Episode (Potentially Ineffective). Some platforms offer options to unpublish or remove an episode directly. While this might prevent future downloads, it’s often not enough to remove the episode completely from Apple Podcasts.
Edit the RSS Feed Directly (Recommended). This is the most reliable method. The process varies slightly depending on your hosting platform, but the core concept remains the same: you need to remove the tag corresponding to the episode you want to delete.
- Find the tag. This tag encapsulates all the information about a specific episode (title, description, audio file URL, etc.).
- Delete the entire tag. Carefully select and delete the entire block of XML code starting with and ending with .
- Save your changes.
Refresh your podcast feed in Apple Podcasts. Unfortunately, Apple Podcasts doesn’t have a manual refresh button for publishers. You’ll need to wait for Apple Podcasts to automatically re-crawl your feed. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Consider using the Tag (Alternative Method). Instead of deleting the tag entirely, you can use the tag. Add this tag within the tag, like this:
```
... (episode information) ...
yes
```
This tells Apple Podcasts to ignore the episode, effectively removing it from the directory. Some podcasters prefer this method because it allows them to easily reinstate the episode later by removing the tag.

Important Considerations

Cacheing: Apple Podcasts caches podcast feeds. This means changes to your RSS feed might not be immediately reflected in the directory. Be patient; it can take time for the changes to propagate.
Backups: Before making any changes to your RSS feed, back up the file. This will allow you to quickly revert to the original version if something goes wrong.
Other Podcast Directories: Removing an episode from your RSS feed will also affect its availability on other podcast directories that rely on the same feed (e.g., Spotify, Google Podcasts).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will deleting an episode from my device also remove it for the podcaster?

No. Deleting an episode from your device only affects your local copy. It has no impact on the podcaster’s files or the availability of the episode for others.

2. How long does it take for an episode to disappear from Apple Podcasts after I remove it from my RSS feed?

It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days for Apple Podcasts to recrawl your RSS feed and reflect the changes. There’s no guaranteed timeframe.

3. What if I delete the audio file from my hosting platform but don’t update my RSS feed?

The episode will likely remain listed on Apple Podcasts, but users will encounter an error when they try to play it. This is a poor user experience. Always update your RSS feed to reflect the changes.

4. Can I temporarily hide an episode from Apple Podcasts without permanently deleting it?

Yes, using the tag within the tag is a good way to temporarily hide an episode. Simply remove the tag later to reinstate the episode.

5. Will deleting an episode affect my podcast’s rankings on Apple Podcasts?

Potentially. Removing content could slightly impact your overall podcast performance and, consequently, its ranking. However, a single episode removal is unlikely to have a significant long-term impact, especially if the reason for removal is valid (e.g., incorrect information, technical issues).

6. What if I accidentally delete the wrong tag from my RSS feed?

This is why backing up your RSS feed is crucial. Restore the backup file immediately to revert the changes.

7. Can I delete multiple episodes at once from my RSS feed?

Yes, you can delete multiple tags simultaneously. Just be extremely careful to select and delete the correct blocks of XML code. Thoroughly review your changes before saving.

8. Is there a way to refresh my podcast feed manually in Apple Podcasts as a podcaster?

Unfortunately, no. Apple Podcasts doesn’t provide a manual refresh option for publishers. You must rely on its automatic recrawling schedule.

9. What if my podcast hosting platform doesn’t allow direct RSS feed editing?

Consider switching to a platform that offers more control over your RSS feed. Direct RSS feed editing is essential for managing your podcast effectively. Alternatively, contact your hosting platform’s support team for assistance.

10. Will listeners who have already downloaded the episode still have access to it after I remove it from Apple Podcasts?

Yes, listeners who have already downloaded the episode will retain their local copy. Removing it from Apple Podcasts only prevents new downloads.

11. What happens if I remove an episode from my RSS feed and then re-upload it later?

When you re-upload an episode with the same file name and URL, it will be treated as a new episode in Apple Podcasts, even if it’s the same content. This can lead to duplicate entries in the podcast directory. It’s best to avoid this scenario.

12. Does Apple Podcasts notify subscribers when I delete an episode?

No, Apple Podcasts does not send notifications to subscribers when an episode is removed. They may notice the episode is missing when browsing the podcast or if they attempt to play a previously downloaded episode that is no longer available.