How to Subscribe to Private Podcasts

Blue padlock with Blubrry logo in the centerPrivate podcast RSS feeds can’t be submitted to podcast-listening platforms in the same way public feeds can be submitted. However, it is still possible to subscribe to private podcast RSS feeds within many popular podcasting apps, including Apple Podcasts.

How to Follow Private Podcasts in Apple Podcasts for macOS and iTunes for Windows

Launch the Apple Podcasts/iTunes app; click the File menu and go to Add a Show by URL…

Screenshot of a red arrow pointing at "Add a Show by URL" in the File menu of Apple Podcasts

Copy the URL of the private podcast RSS feed you want to subscribe to and paste it into the Add a show by URL box.

Screenshot of an input box with "Add a show by URL" above the box and "Cancel" and "Follow" buttons underneath

Click the Follow button; when prompted, enter your username and password to follow the private podcast RSS feed. You will then see the private podcast in your Apple Podcasts/iTunes Library.

How to Follow Private Podcasts in Apple Podcasts for iOS

Launch the Apple Podcasts app; tap the Library icon towards the bottom of the screen.

Screenshot of a red arrow pointing at the Library icon within the Apple Podcasts iOS app

Tap Edit at the top righthand side of the Library screen.

Screenshot of a red arrow pointing at the Edit link within the Apple Podcasts Library screen

Tap Add a Show by URL in the popup menu.

Screenshot of a red arrow pointing at the "Add a Show by URL" link in the Edit menu of the iOS Apple Podcasts app

Copy the URL of the private podcast RSS feed you want to subscribe to and paste it into the Add a show by URL box.

Screenshot of the "Add a Show by URL" box within iOS Podcasts app

Tap the Follow button; when prompted, enter your username and password to follow the private podcast RSS feed. You will then see the private podcast in your Apple Podcasts Library.

How to Subscribe to Private Podcasts in Overcast for iOS

Launch the Apple Podcasts app; tap the + sign at the top righthand side of the screen.

Screenshot of red arrow pointing at the + symbol in the Overcast app

Tap Add URL at the top righthand side of the screen.

Screenshot of a red arrow pointing at the Overcast Add URL link

Tap USE PASSWORD.

Screenshot of a red arrow pointing at the USE PASSWORD link in Overcast

Copy the URL of the private podcast RSS feed you want to subscribe to and paste it into the Podcast URL field; enter your username and password into the corresponding fields..

Screenshot of the Overcast Add URL screen showing Podcast URL, username, and password fields

Tap the done button at the bottom righthand screen to subscribe to the private podcast RSS feed. You will then see the private podcast in your Overcast Library.

How to Subscribe to Private Podcasts in Downcast for iOS

Launch the Downcast app; tap + Add at the bottom center of the screen.

Screenshot of a red arrow pointing at the Add icon in Downcast

Tap Add Podcast Manually.

Screenshot of a red arrow pointing toward the Add Podcast Manually link within Downcast

Copy the URL of the private podcast RSS feed you want to subscribe to and paste it into the FEED OR OPML ADDRESS field; enter your username and password into the corresponding fields.

Screenshot of the Downcast Add Podcast by URL screen

Tap Subscribe at the top righthand side of the screen to subscribe to the private podcast RSS feed. You will then see the private podcast in your Downcast Library.