How to skip ads in Apple Podcasts on iPhone

Why are there ads in Apple Podcasts?

A podcast can include sponsorships in its recording or advertising added by its publisher. Using Apple Podcasts doesn't by itself turn that audio into an ad-free edition.

A subscription to a particular show or channel may include ad-free listening. Check the offer for the shows you follow; it isn't a blanket subscription that removes ads from your whole podcast library.

Use the playback controls

For an occasional break, open the Now Playing controls and skip forward. You can also move along the playback timeline. Take care around the end of a break so you don't miss the return to the conversation. Apple's listening guide explains the playback controls.

This keeps your current library and doesn't require another subscription. The tradeoff is attention: you still have to notice the break and act, which can be inconvenient while walking, cooking or exercising.

Check the show's ad-free subscription

Apple describes subscriptions to shows and channels, which can offer benefits such as ad-free listening, extra episodes or early access. Read the specific offer rather than assuming every subscription includes all of those benefits.

This is a good option when you want to support a particular publisher and hear its own ad-free edition. A purchase inside Apple Podcasts doesn't automatically provide a private RSS feed for another player. Check the publisher's access options first.

Can you skip podcast ads automatically on iPhone?

PurerPodcasts offers automatic skipping in its own iPhone player. It prepares episodes, marks detected ad breaks and skips those markers during playback. It doesn't change playback inside Apple Podcasts.

You can keep a segment or correct a detected break. Preparation takes time, and the analysis can miss ads or skip content you wanted to hear. Our benchmark explains what we measured; it isn't a guarantee for every show. Gen 5 ad skipping is available in version 1.7.

The PurerPodcasts player is free. Automatic skipping requires a subscription; Plus covers three selected shows for US$3.99/month. Check pricing and trial eligibility. Your App Store checkout confirms local terms.

Start with a few familiar shows

1. Open PurerPodcasts for iPhone and search for a favorite podcast.
2. Check its publisher and episodes before following it. Public RSS shows can be available in multiple players, but paid access and exclusives may not transfer.
3. If you subscribe to skipping, choose the shows to prepare within your plan. Wait for an episode to be ready, then play it.

You don't need to delete Apple Podcasts or move everything at once. Your old downloads and playback history won't follow just because you found the same shows. See the switching guide or compare the options.

Use more than one service? See why Spotify Premium podcasts can still have ads and why YouTube Premium can still include sponsor segments.

Apple documentation checked November 6, 2026. We make PurerPodcasts and are not affiliated with Apple Podcasts.

Watch some of your podcasts on YouTube? See how to find their video RSS editions and watch in a podcast player.