The Podcasts application has not obtained as many iOS 26 updates as some of the other Apple applications, but there are design modifications and functional adjustments that are worth known.
Liquid glass
Like all Apple applications, the Podcasts application adopts the new liquid glass design language. User interface elements have a translucent glass look that allow background art.
The buttons have a more rounded design and the navigation bar no longer takes all the bottom of the application. The Bacourir tab is now the new tab, and the search tab at the search bar at the bottom of the screen.
There is also an updated liquid glass icon that looks like several stacked glass layers.
Updated speed checks
Ios 26 includes options to modify the reading speed of a podcast. When you play a show, press the “1x” button in the area and you can change the speed. Apple offers several reading speeds ranging from 0.5x to 3x. In iOS 18, you could only select from four fixed speed options: 1.25x, 1.5x, 1.75 and 2x.
To modify the reading speed, press one of the predefined options or slide a finger on one of the options to display a dial which allows more granular adjustments of 0.1x.
Improve dialogue
The Podcasts application includes an improved dialogue function designed to isolate the voices so that they sound clearer in the middle of any background noise.
To use improve dialogue, play a program in the Podcasts application. From there, open the reading commands in full screen, press the “1x” reading speed button and choose the Improve the dialogue option.
Settings by show
The application of podcasts will remember your preference for improving dialogue and reading speed for each individual podcast, so it does not need to be activated each time you listen and the parameters will not affect other podcasts.
Learn more
More information on the features available in ios 26 can be found in our Roundup iOS 26.
