I guess they'll close on April 2nd so people don't think they're being pranked.
Credit: Justin Potts
Google is shutting down its services just like Google. This time it's Google Podcasts, an application that the tech giant launched just six years ago. Google says Google Podcasts will be completely retired at the end of March, at which point you'll need to bring your podcasts to other services.
At Lifehacker, we think the best podcast app is Pocket Casts. So, I'll show you how to import programs into that app. However, the general steps will work with almost any podcast application, provided the application supports importing his OPML files.
First, open Google Podcasts on your phone or the web. At the top of the screen you will see a warning that the application will be shut down on his April 2nd, as well as a link to export your subscription. When you tap or click on that export option, you'll see two options. One is the option to export the show to YouTube Music, and the other is the option to download his OPML file.
Credit: Justin Potts
If you're confident that Google won't end up shutting down YouTube Music or removing podcasts from the app, then you're more than just a mere mortal. your soul is pure. I'd give you credit even if Google wasn't entirely convinced he was going to do the same thing again in a couple of years.
So yes: tap download Click the button instead. The OPML file is now complete. This is essentially just a text document filled with links to RSS feeds. Don't worry if you don't understand what it means. Basically, just open the file using your new podcast application of choice. Open the app, tap your profile, then tap the settings cog. from here, Import/Export option. Android allows you to browse and retrieve downloaded files.
If you were using Google Podcasts on your iPhone, that's weird. However, you're not out of luck. On iOS, the application will instruct you to send her OPML file to Pocket Casts using the system sharing feature. Simply go to your Downloads folder in the Files app, tap and hold your OPML file, and select Pocket Casts as the application to open it.
If you want to use an application other than Pocket Casts, the process should be pretty much the same. Look through the settings until you find the “Import” option. OPML is an industry standard that is supported by almost all applications. The main exception I can think of is Apple Podcasts, but I somehow doubt that's what you wanted to migrate to.
