iOS 26 and Apple Podcasts: Everything You Need to Know

The new features, from improved dialogue and new playback speeds to enhanced search visibility, are transforming the way listeners consume and discover podcasts on the app.

For podcasters, this means new opportunities… but also new responsibilities when it comes to production and discoverability.

In this article, we break down these updates and share practical tips to make the most of them.

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A Detached Magnifying Glass That Puts Search Front and Center

With the new iOS comes a new design — and a completely revamped app interface. While the “Liquid Glass” effect is generating plenty of buzz among design professionals, what really matters to us podcasters is this: the search magnifying glass is now detached from the other three tabs (Listen, Library, New).

It has become a standalone, central tab highlighted in the main navigation bar.

This change might seem minor, but it’s actually a major one for podcasters. By giving more visibility to the search function, Apple is encouraging listeners to use it more often. In other words, users are now prompted to type keywords to explore and discover new content.

👉 More than ever, you need to strengthen your Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) strategy and include more keywords in your metadata.

Identify the most relevant and frequently searched keywords for your podcast
Add them to your episode titles and descriptions
Study your competitors and how they optimize their own metadata
Track your visibility in Apple Podcasts and Spotify search results with Ausha’s PSO Control Panel
And repeat!

With the search bar now taking center stage in the interface, the battle for visibility happens directly in your metadata.

Moreover, the search pages themselves have also evolved. When a user types something into the search bar, they now see categories (True Crime, News, Sports, etc.), each leading to a curated selection.

These categories appear alongside traditional results and give access to an editorialized selection of podcasts within that theme.

Dialogue Enhancement: Clearer Voices, Even with Background Noise

Apple is introducing a new feature called Dialogue Enhancement. Available exclusively on iOS and iPadOS, it uses machine learning to analyze sound in real time, remove background noise, and balance voice levels.

The goal: to improve speech clarity, especially in podcasts that include music, jingles, or ambient sounds. Unlike other apps, this feature can significantly reduce, or even completely remove, music tracks so that voices stand out more clearly.

For listeners, it’s a real comfort in noisy environments (like public transport or crowded spaces). For creators, it means that even if the mixing isn’t perfect, listeners now have an option to better understand spoken voices.

👉 Our tips for podcasters:

Continue to prioritize high-quality recording and mixing (Dialogue Enhancement doesn’t fully replace good production).
Inform your audience about this feature. For example, in your newsletter or at the beginning of an episode, especially if your content includes music.

More Playback Speeds, from x0.5 to x3

iOS 26 expands the range of available playback speeds. Listeners can now adjust the speed anywhere between x0.5 and x3, with tenth-decimal precision (0.1). Gone are the days of being limited to just two or three preset speeds, everyone can now fine-tune the pace that suits them best.

Another key improvement: these settings can now be saved per podcast. For example, a listener can play an audio fiction at x1 and an interview show at x1.5, without having to readjust each time.

The “Browse” Tab Becomes “New” to Make Discovery Easier

Another notable change: the “Browse” tab disappears and is replaced by “New.” This shift is far from insignificant. Apple wants to highlight the freshness and novelty of its catalog by showcasing:

the most recent episodes,
current trends,
Apple’s editorial selections.

This new “New” tab becomes a key hub for attracting new listeners.

New Reports in Apple Podcasts Connect

On the creators’ side, Apple is expanding Podcasts Connect, its analytics platform, with new downloadable reports: Episode, Podcast, Channel, and Listener Provider reports.

These reports can be exported daily, weekly, or monthly. They also make it possible to distinguish between free listens and paid listens (for those using Apple Podcasts Subscriptions).

Together, these reports provide a more detailed view of how your podcast is being consumed on Apple Podcasts, insights you can then compare with your own analytics from Ausha.

In Summary, Here’s What Apple’s New iOS Changes for:

Your Podcast Listeners

With iOS 26, users now enjoy a richer and more personalized experience on Apple Podcasts:

Greater listening comfort thanks to Dialogue Enhancement.
Full flexibility with playback speeds adjustable to the tenth.
Easier discovery through the “New” tab and central search bar.
Saved settings per podcast, for an experience tailored to their habits.

In short, Apple is focusing on personalization and simplicity to build listener loyalty.

You, the Podcasters

For audio creators and marketers, these updates are a real game-changer:

Search becomes an even more crucial entry point, your metadata is your best weapon for being discovered.
The new “New” tab opens up fresh visibility opportunities if your episodes are recent and well categorized.
Enhanced reports in Podcasts Connect help you better steer your content and marketing strategies.
The improved listener experience (clearer audio, personalized speeds) contributes to stronger audience retention.