Listening To Podcasts On Spotify? Change These 8 Settings First

Spotify is still best known for music, but it has quietly turned into a capable podcast app as well. The problem is that many of its best podcast-related options are buried in settings, and most people never touch them.

If you listen to podcasts regularly, changing a few defaults can save data, free storage, and make long episodes much easier to get through.

Here are the most important Spotify podcast settings worth adjusting.

1. Switch Video Podcasts To Audio-Only

Spotify supports full video podcasts, but streaming video burns data fast. If you mostly listen rather than watch, switching to audio-only makes a big difference.

Where to find it:

Settings and privacy ? Data saving and offline ? Enable Audio-only streaming and Audio-only downloads for video podcasts

This keeps the podcast audio while skipping the video feed entirely.

2. Enable Automatic Episode Downloads

Spotify can work like a traditional podcast app by automatically downloading new episodes from shows you follow. This is ideal for commuting or travel.

How to enable:

Open a podcast ? Settings (gear icon) ? Enable Auto-download episodes

You can also manage downloads for multiple shows from the global download settings.

3. Restrict Downloads To Wi-Fi

If auto-downloads are enabled, limiting them to Wi-Fi prevents Spotify from quietly eating through your mobile data plan.

Where to find it:

Settings and privacy ? Data saving and offline ? Turn off Downloads over cellular

4. Lower Podcast Download Quality

Podcast audio doesn't need high bitrates. Spotify's default podcast quality is already modest, but you can lower it further to save storage.

Where to change it:

Settings ? Audio quality ? Set downloads to Low (24kbps)

Note: This setting affects music too, not just podcasts.

5. Disable Autoplay For Podcasts

By default, Spotify keeps playing the next episode automatically. That can be annoying if you listen while falling asleep or prefer choosing episodes manually.

Where to find it:

Settings ? Playback ? Turn off Autoplay

6. Adjust Playback Speed

Spotify supports variable playback speed, which is essential for long or slow-paced podcasts.

How to use it:

Play an episode ? Tap the 1x button, choose anywhere from slower playback to faster speeds

Even a small bump, like 1.2x, can save hours over time.

7. Reduce Podcast Notifications

Subscribing to multiple shows can flood your phone with alerts. If episodes auto-download anyway, notifications are often unnecessary.

Where to manage:

Settings ? Notifications ? Disable New podcast episodes or fine-tune by show

You can also turn off podcast recommendations entirely.

8. Clear Cache And Old Downloads

Podcasts can quietly take up a lot of storage over time. Clearing the cache and old downloads keeps things under control.

Where to find it:

Settings ? Data saving and offline ? Storage ? use Clear cache and Remove downloads

Be aware this also removes downloaded music.

Final Thoughts

With the right settings, Spotify becomes a much more practical podcast player. It still lacks some advanced features found in dedicated podcast apps, but for many listeners, these tweaks are enough to make it efficient, predictable, and easier on data and storage.

If podcasts are part of your daily routine, spending a few minutes in Spotify's settings is well worth it.