YouTube Music requires manual RSS setup for private podcasts, but don't worry, this guide walks you through the exact steps, plus solutions to common YouTube Music issues.
What You'll Accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll have:
✅ Successfully subscribed to your private podcast in YouTube Music
✅ Found and started playing your episodes
✅ Learned how to fix common YouTube Music subscription issues
This takes about 2-3 minutes and works the same way for all private podcasts.
Important Note About YouTube Music
YouTube Music doesn't offer one-click subscribe buttons for private podcasts like some other apps do. You'll need to manually add the RSS feed URL, but it's straightforward once you know the steps.
Why manual setup? YouTube Music hasn't created a simplified subscription option for private podcasts yet. We're waiting for Google to add this feature, but until then, the manual RSS method works perfectly.
Step 1: Get Your RSS Feed URL
Find your invitation email from your podcast creator (if hosted by Hello Audio, it will have the subject line starting with "Your audio access:")
Click the link in the email to open your subscription page
Look for the YouTube Music button on the page
Click "Copy RSS feed" or copy the RSS URL directly
Can't find the email or link? Contact your podcast creator for a fresh invitation link.
Step 2: Add the Podcast to YouTube Music
Open YouTube Music in your browser or app
Go to the Podcasts section at https://music.youtube.com/library/podcasts (or navigate there through the app)
Click "+ Add Podcast"
Select "Add a podcast by RSS feed" at the bottom of the options
Paste your RSS feed link that you copied in Step 1
Click "Add". The app tells you that it takes several minutes to ingest the private podcast feed.
Step 3: Finding Your Episodes
After successful subscription:
Your private podcast will appear in your YouTube Music podcast library
Episodes are ready to stream immediately
New episodes will appear automatically as your creator releases them
You can listen on any device where you're logged into YouTube Music
What Happens Next
Your private podcast appears in your YouTube Music library with your other podcasts
New episodes will appear automatically as they're released
You can stream episodes with YouTube Music (download requires YouTube Premium)
The podcast syncs across all your devices logged into the same YouTube account
Troubleshooting Common YouTube Music Issues
"Unable to add this podcast" error message
This is YouTube Music's most common issue with private RSS feeds. Try these solutions:
Solution 1: Try 2-3 times
YouTube Music sometimes takes multiple attempts to successfully add a private feed
Wait a few seconds between attempts
The error often resolves itself on the second or third try
Solution 2: Check your RSS link
Make sure you copied the complete RSS URL with no missing characters
Look for extra spaces at the beginning or end and remove them
Verify the link is still active by contacting your creator
Solution 3: Try a different browser or device
Sometimes the issue is browser-specific
Try using the YouTube Music app instead of the web version (or vice versa)
"I don't see the '+ Add Podcast' button"
Make sure you're in the Podcasts section of YouTube Music, not the Music section
Try refreshing the page or restarting the app
Ensure you're logged into your YouTube/Google account
"The RSS feed won't paste properly"
Try copying the RSS link again from your invitation page
Use Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac) instead of right-clicking to paste
Make sure you're pasting in the RSS feed field, not the search box
"I added the podcast but don't see any episodes"
Wait 2-3 minutes for YouTube Music to process the feed
Refresh the page or restart the app
Check that your creator has actually published episodes to the feed
"Episodes aren't updating with new content"
YouTube Music can be slow to update private feeds
Try manually refreshing by going back to the podcast and pulling down (on mobile)
Contact your creator to confirm new episodes have been published
"How do I get the episodes to play in the correct order?"
Most podcast apps show newest episodes first, but you might want to start from the beginning:
Open your private podcast in YouTube Music
Look for sorting options near the episode list
Select "Oldest First" or similar option (YouTube Music's interface may vary)
Note: YouTube Music's podcast sorting options are limited compared to other apps. If precise episode order is important to you, consider using a different podcast app with better sorting features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need YouTube Premium to listen to private podcasts?
A: No, you can listen to private podcasts with a free YouTube Music account. YouTube Premium adds features like offline downloads and ad-free listening.
Q: Can I download private podcast episodes for offline listening?
A: Yes, but only with YouTube Premium. Free accounts can only stream episodes when connected to the internet.
Q: Why doesn't YouTube Music have one-click subscribe like other apps?
A: Google hasn't built this feature into YouTube Music yet. Most other podcast apps offer simpler subscription methods, but YouTube Music still requires manual RSS entry.
Q: Will my private podcast show up in YouTube Music search?
A: No, private podcasts don't appear in search results. You can only access them through the RSS subscription method described above.
Q: Can I use the same RSS link on multiple devices?
A: Yes, once you've added the podcast to your YouTube Music account, it will sync across all devices where you're logged in.
Q: What if YouTube Music keeps giving me errors?
A: Try the troubleshooting steps above, or consider using a different podcast app that offers easier private podcast subscription. Many apps have one-click subscribe options that are much simpler than YouTube Music's manual process.
Want an Easier Experience? Consider Other Apps
YouTube Music's manual RSS process can be frustrating. If you're having trouble or want a simpler experience, consider asking your creator if they support other podcast apps with one-click subscribe options like:
Spotify (if supported by their hosting platform)
Apple Podcasts (built into iPhones)
Overcast (popular iPhone app)
Pocket Casts (works across all devices)
Many hosting platforms offer easier subscription methods for these apps compared to YouTube Music's manual process.
Still having trouble with YouTube Music?
Or email us directly: [email protected] with screenshots of any error messages and we'll get you sorted out quickly.
This guide was created to help listeners access private podcasts on YouTube Music, regardless of which hosting platform their creator uses.