Podcasts cause confusion: Apple app starts automatically Apfelpatient

Podcasts are among the most frequently used media formats on Apple devices. The pre-installed Podcasts app has been continuously expanded over the years and, with iOS 26.2, gained features such as automatically generated chapters and a consolidated overview of all links mentioned in an episode. Normally, the app runs reliably. However, for the past few weeks, a behavior has emerged that raises questions about the security and functionality of the entire podcast environment.

The Podcasts app is considered a user-friendly tool that presents audio content clearly. Precisely because it's so well-established, an unusual pattern is particularly noticeable. On some devices, the app opens automatically and displays content that hasn't been subscribed to and isn't from the user's library. These incidents aren't limited to a specific device but occur on both iPhones and Macs. Several users have reported the same issue, reinforcing the suspicion that there's more to it than a single glitch.

Podcasts app opens automatically

404 Media has extensively documented this behavior. The podcast app starts automatically without any human intervention and displays episodes ranging in topic from spirituality and religion to education. The content is completely unfamiliar to those affected. Many of the episodes date back to before 2020, and some contain no spoken content at all. The titles of these episodes are particularly striking, as they consist of cryptic combinations of characters, such as 5../XEWE2'’”&#x22”onclic…. The selection appears neither curated nor random, but rather the result of manipulated or misinterpreted entries.

The irregularities aren't limited to outdated content or empty episodes. In at least one documented case, an episode contained a link to a malicious website. The report links this link to so-called cross-site hacking, where attackers exploit vulnerabilities in software to inject scripts that shouldn't be executed. Experts say the mere fact that an external podcast can start automatically without user consent indicates a potential vulnerability. When an app opens content autonomously, it generally creates opportunities to exploit further vulnerabilities to penetrate deeper into the system.

Assessment by a security expert

404 Media spoke with security expert Patrick Wardle about this. He finds it remarkable that an attacker could apparently trigger the automatic launch of a specific podcast. Even if this action alone doesn't constitute an attack, it creates a foundation upon which an attack could be launched if a vulnerability exists. In the software world, automated, unauthorized actions are often considered a warning sign because they indicate that an external stimulus is influencing the app.

Wardle's assessment suggests that this behavior should be taken seriously. As soon as an app no longer clearly distinguishes between internal actions and external impulses, such processes can be misused. A widely used app like Podcasts, accessed by millions of devices, is a particularly attractive target in such cases.

Apple is not responding

Whether Apple is investigating or has already narrowed down the problem remains unclear. 404 Media reports that five inquiries on the subject went unanswered. It's noteworthy that Apple responded to other press inquiries during the same period but ignored this particular issue. The lack of a statement leaves open the question of whether this is a system error, a potential security vulnerability, or an isolated incident still under internal review.

Security issues are taking center stage at Apple Podcasts.

Recent reports show that even familiar apps like Apple's Podcasts application can raise unexpected security concerns. Automatically starting episodes with old or empty content, cryptic titles, and links to malicious websites combine to create a pattern that warrants closer examination. Until Apple provides an explanation, it remains unclear whether this is a bug, a security risk, or a combination of both. What is clear, however, is that these observations challenge confidence in the technical integrity of podcast feeds and their processing, and that podcasts are once again at the center of the security debate. (Image: Apple)