Apple is upgrading its Podcasts app to allow users to “seamlessly” switch between audio and video podcasts using HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology. While listening to the show, users will be able to switch to the horizontal video version of the podcast and download the video version of the podcast for offline viewing.
By giving users the ability to quickly switch between audio and video, Apple can prevent users from jumping to other platforms to watch episodes of their favorite shows. Video is becoming an increasingly popular way to consume podcasts, with YouTube saying last February that more than 1 billion people watch podcasts on the platform each month. Spotify is also making a big push into video, and Netflix recently launched its own original podcasts and licensed shows from Spotify and iHeartMedia.
The new features in the Apple Podcasts app will officially launch this spring, but will be available for beta testing starting Monday for iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4. The HLS video will also come to the web version of the Podcasts application in the spring. Apple says the video will “seamlessly integrate into existing shows without disrupting viewers or downloads, and creators can monetize through sponsorships and dynamic advertising.”