Player FM works great for private podcasts and offers excellent web-based listening, but you'll need to create a Player FM account first. This guide walks you through the account setup and subscription process.
What You'll Accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll have:
✅ Created a Player FM account (required for private podcasts)
✅ Successfully subscribed to your private podcast in Player FM
✅ Found and started playing your episodes
This takes about 3-4 minutes including account setup, or 2 minutes if you already have an account.
Important Note About Player FM Accounts
You must register a Player FM account to import private RSS feeds. Unlike some other podcast apps, Player FM requires an account for private podcast subscriptions. The good news is that accounts are free and enable syncing across all your devices.
Step 1: Create Your Player FM Account (If Needed)
If you don't already have a Player FM account:
Go to Player FM (app or web at player.fm)
Click "Sign Up" or "Register"
Enter your email and create a password
Verify your email if prompted
Log into your new account
Step 2: Subscribe Using Manual RSS Method
Player FM doesn't typically offer one-click subscribe buttons, so you'll use the manual method:
Copy the RSS feed URL from your invitation page
Open Player FM and make sure you're logged in
Visit "Settings" on the bottom-right
Select "Import OPML/RSS"
Choose "Add private RSS feed"
Paste your RSS feed URL in the field
Click "Add feed" and wait until you see "Subscribed"
Step 3: Finding Your Episodes
After successful subscription:
Your private podcast appears in your Player FM library
Click/tap the podcast image to see all available episodes
Episodes are ready to stream immediately
New episodes will appear automatically as your creator releases them
What Happens Next
Your private podcast appears in your Player FM library with your other shows
New episodes will appear automatically across all your devices
You can listen on mobile, tablet, or computer with full sync
Player FM's web player makes it easy to listen at your desk
Troubleshooting Common Player FM Issues
"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 Player FM
Look for sorting options near the episode list (usually a sort icon or dropdown)
Select "Oldest First" or "Date Ascending"
"I can't add the RSS feed without an account"
This is expected behavior. Player FM requires account registration to import private RSS feeds:
Create a free Player FM account using the steps in Step 1 above
Once logged in, you'll be able to add private podcasts by RSS
"I don't see 'Add Podcast' or '+' button"
Under Settings, you'll find the Import option
On web: Check the settings for "Add Podcast"
Make sure you're logged in. Some features only appear after login
"The RSS feed gives an error or won't accept"
Try these solutions:
Verify you're logged into your Player FM account
Make sure you copied the complete RSS URL with no extra spaces
Check that the RSS link is still active by contacting your creator
Try refreshing the page and attempting again
"I subscribed but don't see any episodes"
Try these solutions:
Wait 2-3 minutes for Player FM to process the feed
Click directly on the podcast image to open the full episode view
Refresh the page or restart the app
Check your internet connection
"The podcast isn't syncing between my devices"
Player FM syncing solutions:
Make sure you're logged into the same Player FM account on all devices
Check that sync is enabled in your account settings
Try manually refreshing by pulling down in your podcast list
Give it a few minutes - syncing can sometimes be delayed
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does Player FM require an account when other apps don't?
A: Player FM requires accounts for private RSS feeds as part of their system design. The benefit is that your subscriptions, progress, and settings sync perfectly across all devices.
Q: Is the Player FM account free?
A: Yes, Player FM offers free accounts. They also have premium features available, but private podcast access works with free accounts.
Q: Can I listen to private podcasts on Player FM's web player?
A: Yes! Player FM has an excellent web player at player.fm that syncs with your mobile app. Your private podcasts will appear there too.
Q: Does Player FM work on both iPhone and Android?
A: Yes, Player FM works on both platforms and syncs between them when you're logged into the same account.
Q: Will my private podcast show up in Player FM search or discovery?
A: No, private podcasts don't appear in search results or discovery features. You can only access them through your RSS subscription.
Q: What makes Player FM good for private podcasts?
A: Player FM excels at cross-device syncing and has a great web player, making it easy to listen on your computer. The social features also let you see what others are listening to (though private podcasts remain private).
Still having trouble with Player FM? Here are additional resources:
📘 Player FM Support: https://player.fm/support
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 Player FM, regardless of which hosting platform their creator uses.