How to Add an RSS Feed to Apple Podcasts
Add a private podcast RSS feed to Apple Podcasts on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This guide is for listeners following a feed by URL, not creators submitting a public show through Apple Podcasts Connect.
Updated 2026-08-24
Quick answer: add an RSS feed to Apple Podcasts
Use “Follow a Show by URL” in Apple Podcasts and paste the complete private RSS URL. This adds the feed to your library; it does not publish the show publicly.
Before you start
Copy the complete private RSS URL from PigeonPod. It should open an RSS feed, not a YouTube page, website homepage, or individual media file.
If you are creating a public podcast for the Apple Podcasts catalog, use Apple Podcasts Connect instead; that is a different publishing workflow.
How to add an RSS feed to Apple Podcasts on iPhone
Open Apple Podcasts, tap Library, tap the More button, then choose “Follow a Show by URL”.
- Paste the complete RSS URL
- Tap Follow
- Open the new show from your Library
How to add an RSS feed to Apple Podcasts on iPad
Open the Apple Podcasts sidebar, tap Shows, tap the More button, then choose “Follow a Show by URL”. Paste the RSS URL and tap Follow.
How to add an RSS feed to Apple Podcasts on Mac
Open Apple Podcasts and choose File → Follow a Show by URL. Paste the RSS URL, then click Follow.
If Apple Podcasts rejects the URL
Check the feed itself before repeatedly adding it again.
- Confirm you copied the entire RSS URL without spaces
- Open the URL in a browser and confirm it is still available
- Check that the feed contains at least one playable episode
- Try again after restarting Apple Podcasts if it cached an earlier failure
Verify it worked
Open the followed show from your Library, confirm that episodes appear, and play or download one episode.
If the show appears but its newest episode is missing, the podcast app may still be refreshing the feed. Wait before removing and adding it again.
FAQ
Can I add a private RSS feed to Apple Podcasts?
No. Following a feed by URL adds it to your library; it does not submit the show to the public Apple Podcasts catalog.
Can I use a YouTube URL instead of an RSS URL?
No. Apple Podcasts requires a valid podcast RSS feed. Convert the source first, then use the generated RSS URL.
Where is “Follow a Show by URL” in Apple Podcasts?
On iPhone or iPad, look in Library or Shows for the More menu. On Mac, use File → Follow a Show by URL. Apple may change its labels or layout between releases.