Up Next

What Up Next is

Up Next is a podcast client for Apple devices, centered on queue control, podcast feeds, and listening privacy. Listeners can reorder episodes manually, import subscriptions through OPML, or add shows by feed URL. Keyword rules can skip recurring advertisements and segments, with separate settings for each podcast. The app creates episode transcripts on-device without uploading audio. Playback includes bookmarks, a sleep timer, variable speed, and controls that follow chapters. Episodes can be downloaded for offline listening, with automatic refresh and cleanup. Up Next also supports video podcasts, private feeds using tokenised URLs or HTTP Basic Authentication, CarPlay, and Siri Shortcuts. The maker says no account or central server is required and that there is no tracking; Apple’s listing reports that the developer says no data is collected. The Free plan costs nothing and has no locked features, ads, subscriptions, in-app purchases, or paywalls. The listing covers iPhone and Apple Watch, with compatibility also named for Mac and Apple Vision devices. It requires iOS 26.0 or later.

Who it suits

Up Next suits listeners using Apple devices who want detailed queue management, offline playback, transcripts, and private-feed support. It is also aimed at people who prefer a podcast app without accounts, tracking, ads, or paid feature gates.

Limits

The free plan is listed as free and has no locked features, ads, subscriptions, in-app purchases, or paywalls. Compatibility requires iOS 26.0 or later.

Getting started

1. Open the Up Next page in the App Store
2. Install it on a compatible iPhone or Apple device
3. Import subscriptions with OPML or add a podcast feed URL
4. Configure queue order and podcast-specific keyword rules
5. Download episodes for offline listening

Verdict

Up Next offers a privacy-focused Apple podcast experience with queue tools, local transcripts, offline listening, and flexible feed support.