As with constantly evolving technology, we’ve adopted Alexa and various other voice assistants for different types of content, including podcasts. Personal, audio-centric, and distinctively intimate podcasts and Alexa beautifully complement one another.
Here is what you must know about listening to podcasts on Alexa so you can access your shows more effortlessly than ever before.
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Playing podcasts on Alexa
In its default state, Alexa can serve podcasts through TuneIn. Upon asking, “Alexa, can you play [name of podcast],” she’ll automatically play the most recent episode from the service.
While you cannot name specific podcast episodes, you can play the preceding episode by asking, “Alexa, play the previous episode.”
You can also ask Alexa to “play podcast,” but then she may play a random show that you won’t enjoy as much.
Playing podcasts using the Alexa app
The Alexa App is also great for finding and controlling podcasts.
- You can open the Alexa App on a mobile device or at alexa.amazon.com.
- You can select Videos, Music, and Books within the main menu.
- Under the music, select TuneIn.
- Now Select Podcasts.
TuneIn search bars can also be used whenever you want to find a specific podcast.
You can explore different categories for discovering the podcast of your niche and then tune in to one specific episode.
At the top, you can choose the desired speaker (s).
Using Pocket Casts for playing podcasts on Alexa
With AnyPod and the recently launched Pocket Casts skill on Alexa, you can easily access podcasts with just a few simple commands. To get Pocket Casts, download it through Alexa Skills Store and link it to your account.
Once everything is synced, you can easily access podcasts after talking to the enabled speakers.
But it’s not all perfect – sometimes the most recent episodes play when that isn’t what we want – which is why this new technology still needs some fine-tuning.
Also, there isn’t any way of skipping ahead an episode if syncing didn’t get things where you left off earlier.
Thankfully, smart voice commands are being implemented to address these issues in hopes that this technology will improve over time.
Using AnyPod to play podcasts
The more skills you have, the more versatility you get.
You can stream podcasts with AnyPod. This renowned Alexa skill offers an elevated podcast experience, allowing you to listen to specific episodes and manage your subscriptions.
Also, in addition to listening to podcasts on Alexa, you get a high readability level. However, the only thing lacking is any visual interface, which can be challenging for listeners who juggle through different podcasts.
Some commands you can use on AnyPod are:
- Alexa, ask AnyPod to “play (podcast name).
- Alexa, ask AnyPod to play episode (number) of (name of the podcast).
- Alexa, play (previous/next) episode.
- Alexa, ask AnyPod to subscribe to (name of the podcast).
- Alexa, ask AnyPod, “What are my subscriptions?”.
- Enable Podcast Skills.
Enable skills through Alexa App:
- Open the Alexa app on your mobile device or at alexa.amazon.com.
- Within the main menu, you can choose Skills
- Search for Stitcher or AnyPod
- Choose desired skill in the outcomes
- Click on Enable Skills
You can activate the skills through voice commands. To do so, you need to provide the voice command, “Alexa, enable (Stitcher/AnyPod).”
Streaming from your favorite podcast app
With the help of Alexa, linking your smart speaker or headphones with a smartphone or tablet is made simple. This gives you control over streaming and subscriptions – all from one device.
Once you link your mobile device, you can easily stream podcasts through the app of your choice.
For pairing the Echo device with a phone or tablet, you can try these steps:
- Ensure that the device has been in the range of the Echo speaker.
- Disconnect any present Bluetooth connections using the “Alexa. Disconnect.” command.
- Now set your device and the device you want to connect with in Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Set the Echo device to pairing mode through the “Alexa, pair” command, and she will confirm with “Searching….”
- You can select the Echo speaker in the Bluetooth settings on the tablet, phone, and other devices. Alexa then announces a successful connection.
Upon configuring the connection, this can be reinitiated whenever you want to listen to podcasts on Alexa and when the two devices are in range.
Pairing is possible by providing some of the following commands: “Alexa, pair with (name of the device)” or “Alexa, connect with (name of the device).”
Link Stitcher Account
If you’re opting for the Stitcher app, you can link the skill to the Stitcher account – which is an excellent way to keep material in sync. Also, this can be done in the Alexa app after clicking the Home screen prompt or after following the below-mentioned steps:
- Open the Alexa application on your phone or visit alexa.amazon.com.
- Inside the main menu, select Skills.
- Choose the skills at top-right
- Select Stitcher
- Select settings within Stitcher
- Click on Link Account and then follow the prompts.
Need a New Alexa?
Looking for a new Amazon Alexa? Here’s our pick:
- Meet Echo - Echo (3rd Gen) has new premium speakers powered by Dolby to play 360° audio with crisp vocals and dynamic bass response.
- Enjoy premium sound - Personalize your listening experience by adjusting the equalizer settings. Pair with a second Echo (3rd Gen) or Echo Plus (2nd Gen) for stereo sound and add more bass with an Echo Sub.
- Voice control your music - Ask Alexa for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, and more. With multi-room music, play music on compatible Echo devices in different rooms.
- Voice control your smart home - Turn on lights, adjust thermostats, lock doors, and more with compatible connected devices.
- Keep your family in sync - Use your Alexa devices like an intercom and talk to any room in the house with Drop-In and Announcements.
- Alexa has skills - With tens of thousands of skills and counting, Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new skills like tracking fitness, playing games, and more.
- Designed to protect your privacy - Built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the mics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I listen to Apple Podcasts on Alexa?
To listen to Apple podcasts on Alexa, you need to open the Amazon Alexa app and tap on the Menu button in the upper-left corner of the app. Next, select ‘skills and games’ and search for the Apple Podcasts skill. Tap ‘enable’ to use it.
Instead of using the app, you can also enable the Apple Podcast skill by using the Alexa skill store through the internet.
You can also set Apple Podcasts as your default podcast platform, which will stop you from having to add ‘on Apple Podcasts’ to the end of every podcast search. To do this, you will again need to go to the Amazon Alexa app and tap on the menu button in the upper-left corner.
Next, go to ‘music and podcasts,’ and under the ‘services’ section, tap ‘link new service.’ You will need to sign in with your Apple ID to link to your Apple Podcasts account, and once you have done this, tap the ‘X’ icon in the upper-right corner. Click on ‘select default service’ and select Apple Podcasts as the default podcast provider.
Can Alexa Play Podcasts From Spotify?
Yes, you can now play Spotify Podcasts on your Alexa device by using any Alexa-compatible speaker.
To do this, you will need to link your Spotify account to the Amazon Alexa app if you haven’t done so already. You can do this by going to the Alexa app settings, tapping on ‘music and podcasts,’ and selecting Spotify Podcasts.
When you’re done connecting these two, you can access your favorite episodes from Spotify through voice commands.
How do I play podcasts on Echo?
To play podcasts on your Echo device, you must add the services you want to use to gain access to podcasts. Open the Alexa app on your mobile phone or tablet device, tap the ‘more’ icon in the bottom toolbar, and then tap on ‘settings.’
The next step is to go to ‘music and podcasts’ and then ‘link new service,’ and you can then choose the specific services that you want to add. This could include things like Apple Podcasts or Spotify Podcasts.
You will need to tap on the ‘enable to use’ button to link the specific service, and then you will be prompted to log in to your account to link them successfully. All that is left to do is click on ‘Allow access,’ then ‘done,’ and the process is complete.
Is TuneIn free on Alexa?
Yes, TuneIn is entirely free to use, and it is the default podcast service that will be loaded onto your Alexa device. It will provide listeners with free FM, AM, and internet radio and a variety of different podcasts for you to listen to.
You do not have to pay for this feature, but you can opt to add extra services by TuneIn at an additional cost.
Can I use Alexa to listen to podcasts remotely?
You can use Alexa to listen remotely through a remote control or by connecting your smartphone. You won’t be able to control all of Alexa’s features remotely, but you can certainly use the listening features.
By using this feature, you will allow your phone to become an Alexa-integrated device. You can use your usual Alexa voice commands with your phone to listen to your favorite podcasts, music, and more with ease.
