After more than four years, Apple still has not found a way to play podcasts on the Apple Watch. Until then, the Outcast app is by far the best alternative. We explain how this alternative Apple Watch podcast app works.
What is Outcast
Apple has put a lot of restrictions on developers when it comes to the Apple Watch. This increasingly means that companies simply stop developing apps for the watch, but Outcast is smart about it. It results in the best app to save, download and listen to a podcast locally from the Watch, without the need for an iPhone. All you need is wireless headphones.
Why Outcast Is Worth It
Apple is increasingly marketing the Apple Watch as a standalone device, which is worthwhile even without an iPhone nearby. Thanks to the built-in GPS of the Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 3, you can run without an iPhone to still register your statistics and running route. The only thing missing is to listen to a podcast during this walk. If you regularly listen to podcasts, this app is well worth its low price of one euro.
If you have Outcast installed, you can already use the companion iPhone app to choose your favorite podcasts. Then follow the steps below to use the app optimally.
This is how the app works
- Make sure you are within range of a WiFi connection;
- Open the Outcast app on your Apple Watch;
- The selected podcast appears on the screen, the download starts;
- Unplug your Apple Watch from your iPhone to increase the download speed;
- Connect your Bluetooth headphones to the Watch;
- Play the podcast to start listening.
While downloading episodes, Outcast should be on the screen or the download will be paused. We also recommend disconnecting your Apple Watch. Then the episode is downloaded directly via the WiFi connection, instead of via Bluetooth and your paired iPhone, which takes much longer.
The best Apple Watch podcast app
Once you know how basic Outcast works, the app has some nice extras. There are nine theme colors to choose from, you can change the playback speed or fast forward. Especially since Apple itself does not provide an alternative, that makes Outcast an excellent way to listen to podcasts without an iPhone. This will probably be a godsend, especially for athletes, because you can just keep the app running in the background to keep listening. So you can just use your favorite running app while the podcast continues to play.
Also read: Guide: Listening to Music on Apple Watch, Everything You Need to Know