Apple Podcasts adds automatic chapters and interactive links
Apple continues to enhance its Apple Podcasts app with two major new features set to arrive with iOS 26.2 (currently in developer beta): automatically generated chapters and interactive timestamp links.
These tools aim to make episodes more dynamic and improve navigation and interaction between podcasts and other Apple services.
Automatic Chapters: Effortless Smart Navigation
Until now, only creators manually adding chapters could segment their episodes. Now, Apple Podcasts will automatically generate chapters for English-language episodes using AI and audio transcription:
- Chapters will be created automatically if the creator does not provide them.
- They will be labeled as “automatically generated” above the list of chapters.
- Creators will be able to disable this feature at any time if they prefer to maintain full control over chaptering.
This will make life easier for listeners who want to jump directly to a specific topic.
Timestamp Links: A Bridge to the Apple Ecosystem
The second new feature, called “timed links”, will allow creators to add links associated with specific moments in an episode.
Specifically, when a creator mentions music, an article, or a show, they can insert a clickable link to: Apple Music, Apple News, Apple TV, Apple Podcasts, and other compatible services. These links will appear as interactive banners on the “Now Playing” screen,
and will also be visible in: the episode transcription and the podcast detail page.
Apple will go even further: if a creator mentions another podcast, a link to that podcast will be added automatically, without manual intervention. However, creators will have the option to disable automatic link generation.
Deployment Expected with iOS 26.2
Both features will be integrated into iOS 26.2, currently in developer beta, and are expected to be available in the public version by December 2025. They are part of Apple’s strategy to make its Apple Podcasts app smarter and more connected to the Apple ecosystem while simplifying content creation for podcasters.
With iOS 26.2, Apple Podcasts becomes more interactive and contextual: chapters are generated effortlessly, contextual links enrich the listening experience, and creators maintain control over what they choose to activate or deactivate.
This is a step closer to an intelligent audio ecosystem where content, music, news, and video converge… all without leaving the Podcasts app.
