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Apple Tests Auto Chapters, Podcast Mentions, and Timed Links in iOS 26.2

The tools are live in the iOS 26.2 developer beta, offering creator controls with labeled automation.

Overview

  • Apple’s Podcasts app in iOS 26.2 adds automatically generated chapters, surfacing of mentioned shows in the player and transcript, and a new From This Episode section of timestamped links.
  • Auto chapters appear when creators do not provide their own, are labeled “Automatically Created,” can be edited, and can be disabled in Apple Podcasts Connect.
  • Initial chapter support targets full and bonus US English episodes longer than 10 minutes, with Apple prioritizing creator-supplied chapters when available.
  • Mentions let listeners see and follow referenced podcasts from the Now Playing screen and transcript, and links may be created automatically for mentioned shows.
  • Timed links display on a Now Playing banner, in transcripts, and on episode pages; support is limited in this first developer beta, with a wider release expected in December according to MacRumors.