Delete Podcast Episode iPhone 5: Step-by-Step Guide

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Summary of Key Takeaways

Why Delete Podcast Episodes on iPhone 5?

Podcasts are fun, educational, and addictive. But if you’re using an iPhone 5, you probably know the struggle: limited storage space.

Downloaded podcast episodes can quickly eat up gigabytes. The good news? You can delete podcast episodes manually or automatically in just a few taps.

If you’ve been searching “delete podcast episode iPhone 5”, this guide will show you exactly how to do it.

Method 1: Delete a Podcast Episode from the Podcasts App

Step 1: Open the Podcasts App

  • Locate the purple Podcasts app on your iPhone 5.

Step 2: Go to Your Library

  • Tap the Library tab at the bottom.

  • Select Shows or Episodes.

Step 3: Find the Episode

  • Scroll through the list of episodes.

  • Look for the one you want to remove.

Step 4: Delete the Episode

  • Swipe left on the episode.

  • Tap the red Delete button.

  • The episode will be removed from your device.

Method 2: Delete Downloaded Podcasts from Settings

If you need to free up a lot of storage:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Usage (or Storage & iCloud Usage).

  2. Tap Manage Storage under Storage.

  3. Find Podcasts in the list of apps.

  4. Tap it to see how much space each show is taking.

  5. Swipe left on a podcast episode or tap Delete to remove.

Method 3: Turn Off Automatic Downloads

If your iPhone keeps downloading episodes you don’t want:

  1. Open Settings > Podcasts.

  2. Find the option Download Episodes.

  3. Set it to Off (or Manual).

This prevents future episodes from eating up space automatically.

Method 4: Delete All Episodes from a Show

  1. Open the Podcasts app.

  2. Go to Library > Shows.

  3. Tap and hold on a podcast show.

  4. Choose Remove Downloaded Episodes.

This will delete all downloaded episodes from that particular podcast.

Troubleshooting: What If an Episode Won’t Delete?

Sometimes an episode doesn’t disappear after deletion. Try these fixes:

  • Restart your iPhone: Hold the Power button → Slide to power off → Restart.

  • Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

  • Delete and reinstall Podcasts app: This removes all downloads and resets the app.

Why Delete Podcast Episodes?

  • Free up space on your iPhone 5’s limited storage.

  • Prevent clutter in your Podcasts library.

  • Keep only what you listen to instead of hundreds of old episodes.

Tips to Manage Podcasts on iPhone 5

  • Enable “Delete Played Episodes” in Settings > Podcasts to remove them automatically after listening.

  • Use Wi-Fi only for downloads to avoid wasting mobile data.

  • Regularly check Storage > Manage Storage to see how much space Podcasts are using.

Quick Comparison: Manual vs Automatic Deletion

Method Best For How It Works
Manual Swipe Delete Deleting single episodes Swipe left in Podcasts app
Settings Storage Delete Freeing up lots of space Manage storage under Settings
Auto-Delete After Playing Hands-free cleanup Toggle setting in Podcasts

Conclusion: Keep Your iPhone 5 Storage Clean

Deleting podcast episodes on iPhone 5 is easy once you know where to look.

  • Use the Podcasts app for quick one-by-one deletions.

  • Use Settings to manage space more deeply.

  • Turn off auto-downloads to prevent storage issues.

With these steps, you’ll never run into “Storage Almost Full” errors caused by podcasts again.

FAQs About Deleting Podcast Episodes on iPhone 5

1. Can I recover a deleted podcast episode?

Yes, just re-download it from the Podcasts app or re-stream it online.

2. Will deleting episodes unsubscribe me from a podcast?

No, deleting removes only the episode, not the subscription.

3. How do I delete all podcast downloads at once?

Go to Settings > General > Storage > Podcasts, then delete entire shows.

4. Why is my iPhone still showing podcasts after deleting?

You may have iCloud syncing enabled. Check Settings > iCloud > Podcasts and disable sync.

5. Does deleting podcasts free up a lot of space?

Yes — podcasts can take hundreds of MBs or even several GBs if you download many episodes.

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