Learn how to enhance dialogue in Apple Podcasts on the iPhone and iPad to boost voices, reduce noise, and enjoy clearer spoken audio when listening to your favorite shows.
The Enhance Dialogue feature from the built-in TV app has leaped onto the Apple Podcasts app on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. With it turned on, voices won’t be muffled or drowned in background sounds and audio effects. If you stumble upon a podcast episode where it’s difficult to hear spoken words clearly, then this is for you.
Utilizing computational audio, the Enhance Dialogue feature isolates voices and amplifies spoken words, making it easier to hear the host and their guests.
The Enhance Dialogue feature is only available in the Apple Podcasts app on iPhone and iPad, running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. It isn’t available on Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, or HomePod. Furthermore, it won’t work when you use AirPlay on your iPhone or iPad.
Turn on Enhance Dialogue for clearer audio podcasts
- Launch the built-in Podcasts app on your iPhone or iPad, and play any show.
- Pull up the Now Playing screen to access all playback controls.
- Tap the 1x playback speed button and select Enhance Dialogue in the menu.
The Podcasts app will now process audio to make the voices clearer, but you may not notice a discernible difference for some shows. When Enhance Dialogue is turned on, a small dot (.) will appear below the playback speed button (1x).
Enhance Dialogue remains turned on when switching to another episode or show, meaning it works as a global setting. However, I would have loved it if there were a per-show Enhance Dialogue setting. For example, while I do want the voices amplified a bit for talk-heavy shows like Huberman Lab or Lex Fridman Podcast, I don’t need extra processing when enjoying something like CLUBLIFE by Tiesto.
If Apple Podcasts isn’t your first choice…
While the vocal boost enabled by Enhance Dialogue is new to the Apple Podcasts app, similar features have been available in third-party apps for some time now.
Overcast, arguably one of the best podcast apps for iOS devices, has a Voice Boost option to make the voices clearer. Similarly, Pocket Casts allows you to turn on the Volume Boost toggle to make the audio louder and easier to hear.
Which shows do you hear regularly? And will you be using this new vocal booster feature? Share in the comments below.