Cannot remove explicit content restrictions from Podcasts.

Question

Level 1

6 points

Cannot remove explicit content restrictions from Podcasts.

Hello there! I subscribe to many podcasts and have never had an issue with the app until recently. After changing my iPhone (I am using iOS18) I started getting this message on some podcasts: “This podcast can’t be played due to restrictions set for this device.” I have no idea why this is happening, but after some research, I realized it might be related to explicit content restrictions. Since then, and after reading several posts here, I have:

• Checked that there are no explicit content restrictions in Settings -> Screen Time.

• Erased and reinstalled the Podcasts app.

• Even reset all settings, as suggested by another user (which I found very inconvenient).

Unfortunately, nothing has worked, and I’m going crazy. Can someone please please help?

iPhone 14

Posted on Sep 30, 2024 9:44 PM

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Answer 1

claude-b

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2024 7:36 AM in response to Luca_Luca

Hello Luca,

I encountered the same issue after getting my new iPhone16 that came with iOS 18. In my case, a news podcast was marked as 'Explicit' given what is currently going on in the world. I was able to 'solve' the issue by pure chance:

I realized that in the Apple Music app, songs that were marked as 'Explicit' were greyed out
By clicking on one of them, Apple Music prompted me if I wanted to allow playback of this song: it provided an 'Allow' option
The song started playing without any issues and, since then, I can also listen to all my podcasts again

I know that the above is more a work-around rather than a solution, but I hope you can reproduce these steps as well.

Best regards,

Claude

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Answer 2

Luca_Luca Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 21, 2024 4:40 PM in response to claude-b

Hi Claude, thank you for trying to help.

I tried your workaround and realized the problem is even worse! Although I can hear and find explicit content on the desktop Apple Music app (on my MacBook), explicit songs don't even show up on the Apple Music app on my iPhone (they aren't even greyed out like it happened to you). Therefore, I am unable to try your suggestion.

I'm getting frustrated here. I had to download Spotify just to listen to the podcast I wanted. Dear Apple, please help!

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