Google will be discontinuing its Podcasts app in the U.S. very soon. The company has started notifying the app’s users about the need to transfer their subscriptions to YouTube Music by April 2 in order to continue following and streaming their favorite shows. Users who delay the migration will still have some extra time to make the move, but streaming directly from the Podcasts app will no longer be possible after this date.
For over five years, Android devices worldwide have installed the Google Podcasts app over 500 million times. It provides a user-friendly interface for discovering, following, and listening to podcasts, along with the ability to add podcasts via RSS feed. Regrettably for enthusiasts of the app, the tech giant announced last September that it would gradually phase out the Podcasts app in early 2024 as part of its overarching strategy to consolidate its audio services under YouTube.
In 2020, YouTube Music provided a comparable transition plan to shift music listeners away from Google Play Music before its closure in the same year. Despite YouTube Music’s lack of podcast support until recently, the Google Podcasts app has maintained its consistency for a considerable period of time. YouTube Music expanded its global reach for podcasts by the end of 2023. Additionally, in February, users gained the ability to upload their RSS feeds. 
The transition of podcasting to YouTube has the potential to enhance Google’s presence in the field. This move allows Google to consolidate its efforts and concentrate on this platform. Additionally, the growing popularity of video podcasts on YouTube further strengthens Google’s position in the market. During this week, Spotify made a significant agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG) to introduce video podcasts to its streaming app for users in the United States. This move follows their earlier announcement in March about testing video podcasts in 11 different markets globally.
Bleeping Computer was the first to report on the shutdown date for Google Podcasts in the U.S. A support page on Google’s site has confirmed that users in the U.S. will have access to the Podcasts app until the end of March 2024. Google is extending the deadline for users to save their subscriptions by enabling them to utilize the app’s export feature until July 2024, providing more time for those who miss the in-app pop-ups.
Google did not respond to the request for a comment right away. However, they responded after the publication of the article, affirming their commitment to the April 2 timeline in the U.S. They have not yet disclosed a timeline for the rest of the world.
Previous announcements suggest a global discontinuation of Google Podcasts in 2024.
