For more control over downloads and storage, adjust Automatically Download and Remove Played Downloads in Settings > Apps > Podcasts. Video streaming and automatic video downloads have separate mobile-data controls, so set both if you want to avoid video over cellular. The steps below follow Apple’s iPhone and iPad instructions; menu labels can vary by software version or language.
Control how many episodes download automatically
Apple Podcasts can automatically download episodes across your library or follow a limit for an individual show. Use the global setting to change the default behavior, or a show-specific limit when only one show needs different treatment.
Change the global download setting
- Open Settings, tap Apps, then Podcasts.
- Under Automatic Downloads, tap Automatically Download.
- Choose Off to stop new automatic downloads, or choose an episode count or timeframe that suits your listening habits.
With automatic downloads off, you can still download episodes manually. If a show’s downloads have paused because you have not listened or watched for a while, Apple says you can resume them from that show’s page.
Set a limit for one show
- Open Podcasts and go to Library > Shows.
- Touch and hold the show, then tap Settings.
- Set that show’s automatic-download limit.
This lets you keep the global behavior while preventing one show from accumulating more episodes than you want. See Apple’s download settings guide for the global and per-show controls.
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#1 Best Overall
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Choose whether video uses mobile data
Video streaming and automatic video downloads are separate choices. If you want to avoid video over cellular, check both rather than assuming one setting covers the other.
Make video streaming Wi-Fi-only
In Podcasts’ video streaming preferences, turn off Allow Over Mobile. This prevents video streaming over mobile data; it does not control whether video episodes are automatically downloaded.
Rank #2
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Choose what automatic downloads can use
Under Settings > Apps > Podcasts > Automatic Downloads, turn on Download Video if you want video versions downloaded automatically. Apple provides a choice for whether mobile data can be used for audio only or for video as well. Choose audio only or Wi-Fi-only video to avoid transferring video over mobile data. Allowing video over mobile data can use your cellular allowance; Apple’s instructions do not quantify the amount.
Apple documents these controls in its guide to downloading and deleting episodes.
Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Free storage by removing downloaded episodes
To clear played episodes automatically, enable Remove Played Downloads in Settings > Apps > Podcasts. Apple Support says episodes are deleted automatically 24 hours after playback when this setting is on. It applies to played downloads, not every unplayed episode.
Remove downloads immediately
If you need to clear space now, Apple supports removing a single episode, all downloads for a show, or all downloaded episodes from the Downloaded area of your Podcasts library. These actions remove downloaded copies; they do not require you to unfollow the show. See Apple’s download and delete instructions for the available cleanup options.
Rank #4
- Automatically on, automatically connected
- Easy setup for all your Apple devices
- Quick access to Siri by saying “Hey Siri”
- Double-tap to play or skip forward
- New Apple H1 headphone chip delivers faster wireless connection to your devices
Keep Sync Library separate from storage cleanup
Sync Library syncs podcast changes, including followed shows and playback position, across Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account. Change it if you want to alter cross-device syncing. Apple does not describe switching it off as a way to delete local downloads or reclaim storage; use the download-removal controls for that purpose. See Apple’s iPhone download settings guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
- Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to your ears
- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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