Does Apple Music have podcasts? Not really, and here's why

• Apple Music has a few scattered podcasts, but Apple has podcasts widely available through its free Podcasts app on the App Store.
• Apple Podcasts allows users to listen and subscribe to podcasts as well as download for later listening.

iTunes helped revolutionize the digital music and streaming experience. But with the macOS Catalina upgrade, Apple ushered in a new era for media platforms. While the iTunes media library once boasted an array of tracks and albums from independent artists to musical titans, it also featured videos, podcasts, and audiobooks.

The update to Catalina, however, introduced four separate apps: Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Books. This shift toward standalone apps has left some wondering if there's any overlap in content, including whether there are podcasts on Apple Music.

Here's what you need to know about Apple music and podcasts.

Apple Music doesn't have podcasts, with a few exceptions

While Apple Music contains more than 50 million songs from artists of all genres, fans of podcasts will need to download Apple Podcasts. This app is for fans of the format and boasts millions of episodes of recorded shows for users to listen, subscribe to, and download for free. While you might find random episodes of a few podcasts in Apple Music, this genre isn't a feature of the program and Apple directs listeners to Podcasts for this reason.

What comes with Apple Podcasts

As long as you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, you can download Apple Podcasts from the App Store and begin subscribing to your favorite shows right away (it might also already be downloaded as a default app on your home screen). The subscribe feature allows users to be notified every time a new episode of that podcast is available. You can also access podcasts through Mac computers running iOS Catalina as well as on your Apple TV.

There are a wide variety of podcasts to choose from, from science, history, and news topics to scripted fiction, comedy, meditation, and panel discussion. Some podcasts choose to focus on true crime stories while others focus in on topics such as baking or TV shows like "The Walking Dead."

How to get podcasts on Apple Podcasts

Should you come across a podcast you like, simply tap on it, then tap the "Subscribe" button to receive updates for when new episodes are available. If you have an active internet connection when listening, you can simply tap a given episode to listen right away.

Otherwise, if you plan to listen while on a long-haul flight or when on vacation with no service, you can tap the plus symbol to download the episode for offline listening.

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to find playlists on Apple Music and add them to your library

• Why is Apple Music not playing? 4 ways to fix your Apple Music app if it won't play music

• How to change your Apple Music plan in 3 simple steps

• How to listen to audio news stories on your iPhone's Apple News+ service

• How to listen to audiobooks on your iPhone using the Apple Books app