How do I subscribe to BBC Radio podcasts?

Q I bought my first smartphone — an iphone SE. On this I’ve installed the BBC iplayer Radio app, and I use this to download broadcasts that I want to listen to later. However, I’m stumped when it comes to subscribing to particular shows, so that they download automatically. This would be useful for programmes like The Archers, which is broadcast more or less every day. As it stands, I have to remember every day to open the app and tap the relevant Download button after the show has aired. Surely there must be a simpler way? David Miller

A There is a simpler way but you won’t find it in the BBC iplayer Radio app. The Beeb might get around to adding a subscription feature, but right now it doesn’t have one.

There are various ways to subscribe. You can use Apple’s own Podcasts app, which is pre-installed on your iphone. Open the app, tap Search, then type the name of the programme you’re after — the archers. Next, tap the relevant search result and then, under Podcasts, tap the show’s name. Finally, tap Subscribe (see screenshot above left). Now tap My Podcasts followed by the programme name, and the most recent episode will be shown. To manage when episodes are downloaded and deleted, tap the cog icon next to the show’s name.

Alternatively, for BBC podcasts at least, you can visit the show’s website in the Safari browser on your iphone — The Archers’ page is at www.snipca.com/ 23422 — and then tap the Subscribe button followed by ‘itunes / IOS’ and then Subscribe to confirm (see screenshot above right).