# Next Up - A Podcast Alarm — Wake up engaged with a podcast

> Podcast alarm clock app that syncs with native Podcasts app. (iPhone/iPad app by Landon Mitchell.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-up-a-podcast-alarm/id1472608295 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Landon Mitchell](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472608294)
- Category: Utilities, Entertainment
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.85/5 from 276 App Store ratings · 80 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.2 · 157 MB
- Languages: English, Spanish
- Released: 2019-07-16
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-up-a-podcast-alarm/id1472608295/reviews.md

## What is Next Up?

Next Up is a full-featured podcast alarm clock designed to make mornings better. 

Wake up to the news, a meditation, trivia, a comedy show, or the gentle voice of LeVar Burton reading you a new short story – use any of the more than 750,000 podcasts available on the Apple Podcasts platform.

Next Up syncs with the podcasts you subscribe to and download in the native Podcasts app, so there's no need to manage them in more than one place. Set the time you want to get up and enjoy a more engaging start to the day.  

Skip episodes you’ve already heard, change the snooze duration, set the volume, skip the intro ads and more – Next Up lets you customize every alarm. Even repeat alarms on specific days of the week for podcasts that are released on a regular schedule. 

Wake up to the newest episodes for timely content like news, sports, or current events. Or choose to start from the beginning with newly discovered stand-alone or serial podcasts. 

When the alarm starts playing, you can snooze it for a few, stop the playback altogether, or seamlessly continue listening from the Music app with the standard options available in the lock screen and control center to pause, play, or skip back or forward.*

For a more complete sleep experience, Next Up also includes a built-in white noise generator with a variety of sound choices.

Check out the Featured tab for ideas on good podcasts to start your morning with. Even recommend a favorite of your own. 

Just looking for a standard alarm clock? Feel free to use Next Up's basic alarm sounds and white noise generator for free. 


* Apple Music app is required to be installed for podcasts to play. An Apple Music subscription is not required.

## Key features

- Wake up to podcasts
- Syncs with native Podcasts app
- Customizable alarm settings
- Snooze duration control
- Volume and playback control
- White noise generator
- Repeat alarms by day

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| One Year Subscription | $9.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Unlimited | $1.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Next Up?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 🚀 Peaceful way to wake up
- 👍 Beautifully designed
- 👍 Useful features
- 👍 Excellent customer service

**Cons**

- 🐛 Unreliable alarms
- 🔋 Battery draining
- 🐛 Glitchy playback
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Alarms not going off
- Podcast playback issues
- Compatibility problems with iOS 14
- Subscription model changes

**Most requested features**

- Integration with Spotify or other podcast apps
- Option to resume from last listened position
- White noise/ambient sound options
- Music playlist support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 80)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-up-a-podcast-alarm/id1472608295/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Great once a week when it actually works

*2025-08-25, version 2.5.2*

This app is great when it works. But it rarely works. 4/5 days it doesn’t start. And it also drains my battery like nobody’s business.

### 1/5 — Unreliable battery hog

*2024-04-16, version 2.5.2*

The app needs to be open in the background at all times to play the alarm. It burns through 35+% of my phones battery on a given day, that’s when it doesn’t glitch out and drain it completely. The app also doesn’t reliably trigger the alarm in the morning.

### 1/5 — Great concept if it worked.

*2024-02-13, version 2.5.2*

App never seems to work.

### 5/5 — Yes!

*2024-01-20, version 2.5.2*

Been looking for this! Wish I could edit which podcasts more easily but LOVE this app

### 5/5 — please make updates

*2023-10-05, version 2.5.2*

:)

### 1/5 — Somethings wrong

*2023-06-04, version 2.5.2*

Apple TV HDR
iPad Air 2021
HomePods x2 new stereo
The program will not play the podcast
At alarm time.

Needs update?

### 1/5 — Didn’t Work from the beginning

*2023-05-23, version 2.5.2*

I did a test alarm, the alarm sounded like a broken record and didn’t turn on my podcast. When I went to retest I was told I’ve used up my trial period and had to pay 🙄 (written was 5 alarms and only one was used and didn’t work) will be trying a different app

### 1/5 — Had hopes

*2023-04-19, version 2.5.2*

Does not play podcast episodes

### 1/5 — Trash

*2023-03-28, version 2.5.2*

Trash don’t get this

### 1/5 — Backup sound cannot be adjusted

*2023-03-23, version 2.5.2*

I DO NOT recommend this app!

Constant horrible sounds that cannot be deactivated such as an only telephone or a car horn play constantly throughout the podcast. 

No sound level setting for “background sound” no option to turn it off, it makes the app completely worthless.

## Frequently asked questions about Next Up

### What does Next Up - A Podcast Alarm do?

This app functions as a podcast alarm clock, allowing you to wake up to any podcast available on the Apple Podcasts platform. It syncs with your subscribed and downloaded podcasts from the native Podcasts app, offering a more engaging start to your day than traditional alarm sounds.

### How can I customize my alarm with this app?

You can customize various aspects of your alarm, including the snooze duration, alarm volume, and playback options. You can also choose to skip episodes you've already heard or skip intro ads. Repeat alarms can be set for specific days of the week.

### Is this app free to use?

The app offers basic alarm clock functionality with standard alarm sounds and a white noise generator for free. However, advanced features related to podcast alarms and extensive customization may involve in-app purchases.

### What are the compatibility requirements for Next Up?

To play podcasts, the app requires the Apple Music app to be installed on your device. An Apple Music subscription is not necessary for the podcast playback functionality within this alarm app.

### What are some common use cases for this podcast alarm app?

Common use cases include waking up to daily news podcasts, meditation guides, trivia shows, comedy, or audiobooks. It's ideal for those who want to stay informed or entertained from the moment they wake up, or for anyone seeking a more personalized alarm experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.5.2 — 2021-01-30

Critical bug fix for iOS version 14.3+ users. Other bug fixes, performance improvements.

### 2.5.1 — 2020-11-14

Bug fixes, layout tweaks. Just a one-time purchase after five free podcast alarms are used up, no more subscriptions. Free upgrade to lifetime unlimited podcast alarms for all subscribers.

### 2.5.0 — 2020-09-13

Added a free trial for new users. Bug fixes, layout tweaks, and more user recommended podcasts.

### 2.4.4 — 2020-07-11

Per user requests: 24-hour time option; option to stop after one episode; added a more standard white noise option. Fixed bug that prevented backup sound from playing. New user podcast recommendations. More bug fixes.

### 2.4.3 — 2020-05-23

Per user request, 'Jump Start' now lets you pick exactly how far into the podcast you want to skip when the alarm starts. Bug fixes. Performance improvements. Added user pick in the Featured tab.

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## Related topics

[podcast alarm](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/podcast-alarm) · [landon mitchell](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/landon-mitchell)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*