Can no longer access local podcasts as "Can't us this folder - to protect your privacy, choose another folder"

Support
1

App version: 3.110 Google Play (although I did think I installed it from F-Droid…)

Android version: 15.x

Device model: Motorolla edge 40 neo 12GB RAM 256GB ROM

Expected behaviour: I created local podcasts in a folder Podcasts(1). These were accessible, playable and deletable from AntennaPod.

Current behaviour: Podcasts can no longer access their own folders and AntennaPod no longer has access to Podcasts(1) with the message: “Can’t use this folder - to protect your privacy, choose another folder”

First occurred: This week

Steps to reproduce:

  1. Find local podcast in podcast list
  2. Open/select podcast that shows “Local folder” under the podcast name
  3. No files are listed
  4. Select (i) show the URL antennapod_local: etc. that should be the correct directory

OR

  1. Select Add Podcast
  2. Add Local Folder
  3. Select Podcast(1)
  4. “Can’t use this folder - to protect your privacy, choose another folder”

CREATE NEW FOLDER is what I did to make Podcasts(1) that has been working until now.

Environment: Settings are the same as before as I’ve used AntennaPod for a while and have settings I like. There has been an update though.

2

This sounds like your phone got an update and no longer allows AntennaPod to access the folder. You can try going to the podcast info page (info icon) and reconnecting the local folder

3

The issue is the same on trying to reconnect - AntennaPod seems to have lost access to the folder.

The last phone update was 1st November 2025. This was working about a week ago.