Shortly after Google announced that it would reduce its Google One VPN service offering to be available only to Pixel phone users, we just received notice that they also plan to end their Google Podcasts service this year, going beyond just sunsetting VPN services. The app was directly developed by Google and released in 2018 for Android devices and 2020 for iOS devices. If you’ve been a podcast listener on the Google Podcasts app, this concerns you now.
What can Google Podcasts users do now?
If you have used the service before, you can follow a transition path created by Google to make it easier to keep listening to your favorite podcasts. You can access a tool to help you set everything up within your YouTube Music app or download an OPML file with your user and preferences data. The latter can be used to upload your podcast preferences and subscriptions to another podcast app if it supports this import file type. There might be more, but OPML file import is supported by podcast apps such as Goodpods, Castro, Podbean, Pocket Casts, and Overcast.
Related story: Digital Audio and Podcasts – Boom or Bust?
Certainly, the transition within the Google app sphere might be more seamless, so you could also consider trying YouTube Music in case you are not already using another podcast software. Even in the free service tier, Google confirmed you will have features similar to Google Podcasts, such as using background play, downloading podcasts on a WiFi network and listening to them off-grid, and more without needing to pay for the YouTube Music premium service plan.
How does the transition work?
You simply have to access this Google Podcasts settings page and follow the instructions either to migrate to YouTube Music or download the preferences file.
This is all if you want to download the file for another app. If you go down the YouTube Music route, it will just take a few clicks, and you’ll be done within seconds. First, click “Export” in the “Export to YouTube Music” area.
Just click on the transfer button at the bottom to proceed to the next step of the migration wizard for the email address it shows directly on the bottom as well.
With a simple click on the “Continue” button, you can see it process your request. Depending on your library size, this might take a second or two.
You will see an overview of the imported podcasts within your regular YouTube Music interface now. This should do the trick, and you are ready to keep listening to old or new podcasts that you previously subscribed to.
Timeline for this to happen
Listening to podcasts on Google Podcasts will no longer be an option starting June 23, 2024. Additionally, from July 29, 2024, migrating or exporting subscriptions will not be supported. After this point, users will be directed to the web version of Google Podcasts, which may lack certain functionalities like downloading if your Android or iOS apps are outdated.
Before you go: How to Start a Podcast: Tips, Tricks, and Technical Advice
Your Google Podcast data will be accessible through Google Takeout for up to a year after Google Podcasts is deprecated; thereafter, it will be permanently removed. Alternatively, if you delete your Google account, all associated data and content, including emails, files, calendars, and photos, will be erased. It’s important to note that deleting your Google account will result in losing all the data stored within it.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by Aleksandr Davydov. The screenshots in the body of the article have been prepared by Christopher Isak for TechAcute and are owned by Google.
