Google Podcasts is gone for most users, and that means the subscription list you carefully built can disappear with the interface. If you still have access—or you have cached data in the app—you can export your subscriptions and carry them into a new podcast player.
This guide focuses on the practical end goal: get a machine-readable list of shows (usually OPML), then import it into another app or rebuild the list quickly and accurately. You’ll also get fallback methods when the standard export path fails.
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Primary target: export subscriptions from Google Podcasts before they’re no longer accessible.
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Why you should export Google Podcasts subscriptions now
When Google Podcasts was retired, many users discovered they could no longer view their library or export their list through the normal UI. Even if you remember every show, the RSS feed URLs and follow state are what determine whether an import works cleanly.
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Exporting now prevents three common problems: broken listening history, missing subscriptions, and time-consuming manual searching across dozens of shows.
What you’re trying to export (OPML, RSS, and show lists)
Podcast apps typically import subscriptions using one of these formats.
| Format | What it contains | Where it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| OPML | Podcast feed URLs organized as a subscription list | Many podcast apps and podcast managers import OPML directly |
| RSS feed URLs | Single show feed URL(s) | Import tools, some apps’ “add by URL” flows |
| Human show list | Show titles (no feeds) | Manual re-subscribe workflows (works, but more error-prone) |
Whenever possible, aim for OPML or RSS feed URLs—not just titles—because feed URLs are what automate re-subscribing.
Prerequisites and what to check before starting
- Account access: confirm you can sign in with the same Google account used in Google Podcasts.
- Device: use a computer browser if you can; export and file handling is easier on macOS and Windows.
- App permissions/caches: if you’re using the mobile app, ensure it’s logged into the correct account.
- File handling: be ready to download and open an
.opmlor.xmlfile. On macOS, you can open it with Finder or any text editor to verify it’s not empty.
If you can’t access your Google Podcasts account at all, skip to the fallback methods later in this guide.
Method 1: Export subscriptions from Google Podcasts (OPML, if available)
If you still have access to the Google Podcasts interface, this is the cleanest route. Look for an export option that generates an OPML file you can import elsewhere.
Try the export option in the Google Podcasts web UI
Depending on the era of the UI you’re seeing, the labels may differ slightly. The typical flow is:
- Open Google Podcasts in your browser and sign in.
- Go to Settings.
- Look for an option like Export subscriptions or Export.
- Choose a destination to download the file (often
.opml). - Verify the file isn’t empty by opening it in a text editor.
How to verify quickly: an OPML file should include tags like <opml> and <outline entries, usually one per subscribed show/feed.
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On some versions, subscription export lived under in-app settings. If you can still see those menus:
- Open the Google Podcasts app.
- Tap your profile icon or Settings.
- Look for Export, Subscriptions, or an OPML option.
- Download/export and save the OPML file to Files (iOS) or Downloads (Android).
If you don’t see any export controls, don’t guess repeatedly—switch to the migration or recovery methods.
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Method 2: Migrate to YouTube Music using Google’s transfer tools
For many users, YouTube Music was the successor experience for podcasts. If your account still has a working migration path, this can preserve your follow state without manual re-searching.
Use the YouTube Music migration workflow
Google’s migration behavior varied over time, but the consistent idea is: sign in to YouTube Music with the same Google account and trigger the migration or subscription sync.
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- Look for a migration prompt or podcast import option in settings or library-related screens.
- If offered, confirm migration and wait for the subscription list to populate.
- After migration, open YouTube Music and confirm your followed podcasts appear.
Even if you plan to move again later (for example, to Apple Podcasts or a podcast manager), getting the shows into a working library first can save time.
When YouTube Music migration doesn’t work
- Wrong account: you migrated from a different Google account than the one that held your Google Podcasts subscriptions.
- Migration not available: some users no longer see transfer prompts.
- Partial migration: only some shows transfer; you may still need OPML or manual recovery.
If migration is missing or incomplete, proceed to recovery methods.
Method 3: Recreate subscriptions on another podcast app (manual import)
If you can’t export OPML, you can still rebuild your library. This method is slower, but it’s reliable when your feed URLs aren’t accessible.
Fastest manual approach: start from your existing show list
Your best source is whatever list still loads (for example, an in-app “Following” list). Then subscribe by show title in the destination app.
- Open the destination podcast app (example: Pocket Casts, Spotify podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, etc.).
- Use the search function and subscribe to each show you recognize.
- After subscribing, confirm playback works by playing one recent episode.
Do this in batches (10–20 shows at a time). It reduces mistakes and makes it easier to track what’s missing.
Manual subscription is less accurate—how to reduce errors
- Watch for similarly named shows: subscribe to the correct publisher/feed.
- Check episode recency: if an imported show suddenly has old episodes, you may have picked the wrong feed.
- Prefer feed-based import if available: OPML import avoids title ambiguity.
Method 4: Recover your list using Google Takeout (where possible)
Google Takeout can export your data across Google services. Depending on how Google stored Podcasts subscription data at the time, you may find a usable export or at least enough information to rebuild quickly.
Use Takeout to search for Podcasts-related export files
- Go to Google Takeout and sign in.
- Select Google Podcasts (if listed). If it isn’t listed, don’t waste time waiting—skip to fallback methods.
- Click Next step and choose export settings (default ZIP is fine).
- Create the export and download the resulting archive when it’s ready.
- Unzip the archive and search for files containing keywords like
podcasts,subscriptions, oropml.
If you find OPML or feed URLs in the extracted files, you can import them immediately.
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If Takeout gives you titles but not feeds
That still helps. Use the title list as your checklist for manual re-subscription, and then only fix ambiguous titles where feeds differ.
Method 5: Fallback export if you can’t access Google Podcasts
If the Google Podcasts site/app won’t load, you still have a few realistic options. The goal is to obtain feed URLs or an already-exported OPML you created earlier.
Check your browser downloads and backups
Many users exported OPML at some point. Look for files named like:
subscriptions.opmlopmlorexport.opmlGoogle Podcastsdownload archives
Search your computer and cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Dropbox) for .opml, .xml, and podcast.
Export via alternative Google services that may have cached subscription data
Some users had podcasts integrated in other Google contexts (for example, in certain playback or search experiences). If you can still browse a list of followed podcasts somewhere under your Google account, export that list into a spreadsheet and then map titles to feeds later.
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- Capture titles and any visible URLs.
- Then use the mapping step in the OPML/RSS import section below.
Manual feed mapping (last resort, but works)
If you only have titles, you can rebuild feed URLs and then create an OPML file yourself. This takes time, but it’s deterministic and correct.
- For each show title, find its official RSS feed URL (publisher site, podcast directory page, or the show’s website).
- Collect the feed URLs in a plain text file or CSV.
- Create an OPML file (or paste the feeds into your destination app if it supports URL import).
If you want, you can keep this structured so you can re-run it later if you switch apps again.
Convert and import your exported subscriptions (OPML and RSS options)
Once you have OPML or RSS feed URLs, the next step is getting them into your podcast app of choice. Some apps can import OPML directly; others only accept feed URLs.
OPML import: what to look for in your destination app
Common import UI labels include:
- Import OPML
- Subscriptions import
- Add by OPML
When importing, expect the app to add new followed shows. If it merges duplicates, make sure you don’t end up with multiple entries for the same show/feed.
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If your destination app only accepts RSS URLs, use the feed URL list from your OPML (or rebuild it). Feed URL import usually looks like:
- Open the destination app settings.
- Find Add podcast by feed URL or similar.
- Paste one feed URL at a time or use batch import if supported.
- Verify by opening a show and confirming recent episodes load.
Quick OPML sanity check before importing
Before you feed a file into another app, open it and confirm it contains meaningful entries.
- If you see only an empty skeleton like
<body></body>, your export failed. - If you see many
<outlineelements, it likely contains subscriptions.
Troubleshooting common failures
Even when you follow the steps, exports can fail. Here’s what to try when your OPML is empty, missing, or not importing correctly.
Export button missing
If you can log into Google Podcasts but there’s no export control, it usually means that specific UI version no longer supports the feature. Skip to YouTube Music migration, Takeout recovery, or fallback manual mapping.
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OPML file downloads but is empty
This often happens if your subscription list didn’t load (network issue, session timeout, or wrong account).
- Re-open Google Podcasts and confirm your following list actually shows the subscriptions.
- Try the export again immediately after the list loads.
- Check the downloaded file size. If it’s suspiciously small (for example, a few kilobytes), it’s likely empty or truncated.
If export still fails, use Takeout or recreate subscriptions from a visible list.
Import completes but shows the wrong podcasts
- Wrong feed URL: a title match doesn’t guarantee the feed.
- Duplicates: some OPML exports include alternate variants. Delete duplicates after import.
- Redirect feeds: some RSS feeds have redirects; some apps follow them and some don’t.
Verify by opening a show and checking the episode list updates.
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- In Google Podcasts, check the signed-in account email.
- In YouTube Music, sign out and sign in with the exact same email.
- If you use a browser profile, make sure it isn’t switching accounts automatically.
Can’t access Google Podcasts at all
If the service is fully inaccessible in your region or account, your best options are:
- Takeout if your subscription data is still present
- Fallback manual mapping from titles (or previously saved data)
- If you exported earlier, reuse the OPML from backups/downloads
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until access is gone: export while you still can see your subscriptions.
- Assuming title lists are enough: without feed URLs, imports become guesswork.
- Importing without verifying: always open 2–3 imported shows to confirm feeds and recency.
- Ignoring duplicates: duplicates can cause repeated notifications and confusing episode lists.
- Switching apps before exporting: if you choose a new app first, you still need the export for future recovery.
Comparisons: OPML vs RSS vs manual subscription
| Method | Setup effort | Accuracy | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPML export/import | Low | High | Most users with a working Google Podcasts export |
| RSS feed import | Medium | High | Users who can obtain feed URLs but not OPML |
| Manual subscription | High | Medium | Small libraries or when feeds aren’t available |
If you care about time and correctness, OPML is the best target format. If you can’t get it, RSS URLs are next best.
FAQs
Can I export Google Podcasts subscriptions after the service is fully shut down?
Not reliably. If Google removed access to your library and export tools, you usually can’t generate OPML from the original UI anymore. Your best bet is Google Takeout (if it includes subscription data) or any OPML files you exported earlier.
What if I only remember show titles and not the feeds?
You can still rebuild your library, but imports won’t be automatic. Use the title list as a checklist, then confirm by opening the show and verifying recent episodes load in your new app.
Where do I find my OPML file once I export it?
Most exports download to your browser’s download folder or trigger a file save dialog. On macOS you can press ⌘ + Space and search for .opml. On Windows, search File Explorer for *.opml.
My OPML imports but only adds a few subscriptions—why?
This usually indicates that export captured only what loaded at export time (for example, because the subscription list didn’t fully render). Re-export after confirming the list is complete, or use fallback recovery to fill missing feeds.
Will migrating to YouTube Music also give me an export I can reuse later?
Not always. YouTube Music migration is good for restoring your listening experience, but it may not provide an OPML file you can import again elsewhere. If you need portability, prioritize OPML/RSS acquisition immediately while you still can export.
Bottom Line
If you still have access to Google Podcasts, exporting subscriptions while the UI still works is the fastest path to preserving your library. Aim for OPML, verify the file isn’t empty, then import it into your new podcast app.
If export isn’t available, use YouTube Music migration first (same-account transfer), then fall back to Google Takeout or manual feed mapping so you don’t lose your subscriptions for good.
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