Google Podcasts, a popular app with over 500 million downloads on the Play Store, is set to shut down in the US on April 2. The decision comes as Google aims to focus more on audio and video podcasts through YouTube Music. The closure of Google Podcasts was announced last year, and users have been receiving notifications about the impending shutdown for weeks.
While the Google Podcasts app will still be available for download on the Play Store and Apple Store, users will no longer be able to stream their favorite shows after April 2. However, they have until July 2024 to migrate their data to another application. Google is encouraging users to transfer their subscriptions to YouTube Music, which will offer a better podcast experience with YouTube-exclusive features.
To transfer subscriptions to YouTube Music, users can follow a few simple steps. They need to open the Google Podcasts app, locate the shutdown notification, and click on “Export Subscriptions.” From there, they can choose to export their subscriptions to YouTube Music, where they will be asked to select a Gmail account for the transfer process.
It’s important to note that not all podcasts may be migrated automatically, and users may need to manually add them by providing the show’s RSS feed link. The process of transferring podcasts to a third-party app can be more complex, requiring users to download via an OPML file for Google Takeout.
Overall, the closure of Google Podcasts marks a shift in Google’s podcast strategy, with a greater emphasis on YouTube Music as the go-to destination for podcast fans and creators. Users are advised to take action before April 2 to ensure a smooth transition of their podcast subscriptions.