Apple Tests Auto Chapters and Smarter Discovery in Podcasts With iOS 26.2 Beta

Overview

• Apple Podcasts in iOS 26.2 can auto-generate episode chapters when creators do not provide them, labeled as “Automatically Created.”
• Auto chapters initially apply to full and bonus US English episodes longer than 10 minutes, with creator edits allowed and an opt-out in Apple Podcasts Connect.
• Creator-submitted chapter markers take precedence, so Apple’s chapters appear only when none are provided.
• Listeners can see and follow podcasts mentioned in an episode directly from the player and the transcript, improving on-the-spot discovery.
• A new From This Episode section surfaces links discussed in shows on the episode page, though support in the first developer beta is limited, with a public beta expected soon and a wider release planned for December.