How do you manually add a podcast feed to iOS and Android

To listen to a private podcast feed (from Patreon, Supercast, Glow.fm), you'll need to manually add it to your listening app on iOS or Android. This works best on Google Podcasts (for Android) and Apple Podcasts or Overcast (for iOS). Spotify does not currently support private podcast feeds.

How to manually subscribe to a podcast

Copy the podcast's feed URL to your clipboard. Here's an example of where to find your Private RSS link on Patreon:

How to add an RSS feed to Spotify

Spotify doesn't allow you to add an RSS feed URL to their podcast player manually.

This feature has been requested numerous times on their forums:

Please let me add a podcast to Spotify by URL/RSS feed for Patreon and other private streams.

Another user mentioned:

Adding a podcast by URL is a basic feature of any podcast app. You copy a podcast url from a podcast and most (if not all) podcast apps will let you subscribe to the podcast with that url. It’s such a basic feature that it is mind blowing that Spotify doesn’t have it already. I am inclined to think that Spotify specifically doesn’t want to allow this because it would allow people to listen to podcasts that Spotify doesn’t have a relationship with. I have a feeling that Spotify wants to exercise complete control over “podcasts” that are available on its platform. This is evidenced by the fact that there are some “podcasts” which can only be subscribed to on Spotify.

You can vote on this feature request here.

How to add an RSS feed in Google Podcasts (Android & iOS)

Google Podcasts (which is being shut down in 2024) is currently the best way to subscribe to a podcast feed on your Android device manually (it also works on the iPhone). Google has said that Google Podcasts' replacement, YouTube Music, will be able to subscribe to private RSS feeds manually.

1. Click the "Activity" icon (bottom-right of your screen)

2. Click the "Subscriptions" link at the top-right part of your screen

3. Click the "···" menu (upper-right)

4. Select "Add by RSS feed"

5. Paste in the RSS feed URL

6. Click "Subscribe"

How to add an RSS feed in Apple Podcasts (iOS)

Many iPhone users choose Apple Podcasts for listening to private podcast feeds because it comes pre-installed on iOS.

1. Click the Library icon (bottom of the screen).

2. Click the "..." menu in the upper-right-hand corner.

3. Click "Follow a Show by URL."

4. Paste in the podcast's RSS feed.

How to add RSS feed in Overcast (iOS)

1. Click the "+" symbol in the upper-right-hand corner.

2. Click "Add URL" in the upper-right-hand corner.

3. Paste in the podcast's RSS feed.

You can download Overcast here.

How to add RSS feed in Pocket Casts (iOS and Android)

1. Click "Discover" at the bottom of the screen. 

2. Paste in the podcast's RSS feed in the search tab (and click "Enter"). 

3. Click Subscribe.

Download Pocket Casts here.

How to add an RSS feed in Podcast Republic (Android)

1. Click the three dots in the upper-right-hand corner.

2. Click “Add Podcast” and paste in the podcast's RSS feed.

3. Click "Find Podcast."

Download Podcast Republic.

How to add RSS feed in Podcast Addict (Android)

1. Click the "+" symbol in the upper-right-hand corner.

2. Click “Add RSS Feed” and paste in the podcast's RSS feed.

3. Click "Add."

Download Podcast Addict.

Want to start a podcast?

Read our guide on how to start a podcast.

We also have information on how to start a private podcast.

At Transistor, we aim to guide you through the confusing podcasting landscape. Ultimately, you want to record your audio and then get that audio onto platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. We provide the hosting and analytics tools you'll need, but more than that, we'll help answer your questions with our live chat and guides.