Pocket Casts Plus Adds Generated Podcast Transcripts

Pocket Casts announced the availability of generated podcast transcripts in the Android and iPhone versions of its app, though only for Plus and Patron members.

“With Pocket Casts version 7.85, we’ve introduced Generated Transcripts, a powerful new feature that makes engaging with your favorite podcasts easier than ever,” the Pocket Casts announcement notes. “This feature allows you to read along, search for specific phrases, and quickly find key discussions–even if a show doesn’t have their own transcripts.”

It’s worth mentioning that Apple added this capabilities to its Podcasts app in iOS/iPadOS 17.4, which shipped in March 2024. That is app and feature are free for all, at least, but they only work on Apple’s devices, whereas Pocket Casts is cross-platform. Pocket Casts Plus is 99 cents a month or $10 per year in the U.S.

Pocket Casts supports transcripts provided by podcast creators, of course, and that feature isn’t going away. But it will provide generated transcripts as an alternative even when there is a transcript, at least for “new episodes from the most-followed podcasts.”

To access generated podcasts, start playing a podcast and then press the “More actions” (“…”) button in the player view, followed by “Transcript.”