You can see all your episodes, but they're not in the order you expected. Maybe you want to start from the beginning, but your app is showing the newest episodes first. This is totally normal. Most podcast apps default to showing recent episodes first, but you can change this.
What You'll Accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll have:
✅ Episodes sorted in your preferred order (oldest to newest or newest to oldest)
✅ Located the sorting options in your specific podcast app
✅ Set up your preferences for future episodes
This takes less than a minute once you know where to look, and your app will remember the setting.
Step 1: Find Your App's Sort Options
Every podcast app has sorting controls, but they're in different places. For detailed instructions with screenshots, check our app-specific guides. We have step-by-step sorting instructions for all major podcast apps, including exactly where to find the sort options and what they look like.
Common locations:
At the top of the episode list (look for arrows or "Sort" text)
In the app's settings or preferences
In a menu accessed by tapping three dots or lines
Sometimes under "Filter" or "Display" options
Here's what Apple Podcast's sorting options look like, after tapping the 3 dots in the right corner:
Then tap "Settings" and you'll see the following:
Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Order
Most apps offer these sorting options:
"Oldest to Newest": perfect if you want to start from episode 1
"Newest to Oldest": shows recent episodes first (default for most apps)
"By Title": alphabetical order (less common for podcasts)
What Happens Next
Once you've set your preferred sort order, episodes will display the way you want them. Most apps remember your preference, so future episodes will appear in the same order automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
I changed the sort order but it went back to the default. How do I make it stick?
Some apps reset sorting when you close them. Look for a "Remember preferences" or "Default sort" option in your app's settings.
My app doesn't seem to have sorting options. What can I do?
A few basic podcast apps don't offer sorting. Consider switching to a more full-featured app. Our app-specific guides can help you pick one.
The episodes have numbers but they're still not in the right order. Why?
At this point, it could be the way your creator set up the feed. You can email them for guidance or to offer a suggestion.
Does changing the sort order affect other podcasts in my app?
It depends on the app. Some apply sorting per show, others app-wide. Check whether the sort control sits on the show page (per show) or in the main settings (app-wide).
Most podcast apps make sorting straightforward once you know where to look, and our app-specific guides have screenshots to make it even easier!