Apple Podcasts app gets new filtering options in iOS 15.4

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Apple Podcasts filtering in iOS 15.4
It's not easier to navigate long-running shows.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple is making a number of nice design improvements to its Podcasts app in iOS 15.4. The biggest is the ability to filter podcast episodes by season.

That particular change undoubtedly will prove handy as users navigate their way through long-running shows. But it’s not the only new option for podcast filtering in Apple’s latest beta.

Apple Podcasts app adds new filters

Apple Podcasts is an incredibly convenient way to listen to your favorite shows because it comes preinstalled on every iPhone, iPad and Mac. It seems, however, that in recent years Apple recognized the app needs improvement.

After rolling out a major redesign in iOS 14.5, Apple finally added much-anticipated Podcasts Subscriptions last June. And with its new 15.4 beta, Cupertino continues to make tweaks to improve the overall experience.

It’s now possible to filter podcast episodes by season for the first time using a new drop-down menu that appears above episode lists. You also can browse by season in the Episodes view.

These filters only work if the podcast itself added season details — a feature Apple debuted with iOS 11 in 2017. But there are some other filters you can now take advantage of in the Apple Podcasts app.

Filter by played, unplayed and more

Using the same drop-down menu, you can also filter played, unplayed, downloaded and saved episodes. This will make it easier to find episodes you missed — and those you saved locally when you have no data for streaming.

It seems Apple quietly introduced these changes in the first iOS 15.4 beta, released in late January. But in the third release, which Apple rolled out to registered developers Tuesday, a “What’s New” splash screen highlights the new Podcasts features.

iOS 15.4 should go out to everyone in the coming weeks. In addition to Podcasts improvements, it lets you use Face ID with a mask, adds new emoji, and fixes a bug that prevented apps from using ProMotion on iPhone 13 Pro.

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