Unable to import from Google Podcast OPML export

[z-olpin]

Checklist

• I have used the search function for OPEN issues to see if someone else has already submitted the same bug report.
• I have also used the search function for CLOSED issues to see if the problem is already solved and just waiting to be released.
• I will describe the problem with as much detail as possible.
• If the bug only to occurs with a certain podcast, I will include the URL of that podcast.

App version

3.2.0

Where did you get the app from

Google Play

Android version

14

Device model

Google Pixel 6a

First occurred

Today

Steps to reproduce

1. Create or export an OPML file with an unescaped ampersand in the title of one of the podcasts. The podcast in question for me is "Mind & Matter" and the entity looks like: <outline xmlUrl="https://mindandmatter.substack.com/feed" type="rss" text="Mind & Matter" />
2. Attempt to import the OPML file

Note: I'm aware this is Google failing to export a valid OPML file, but with many people switching from the soon-to-be shuttered Google Podcasts, AntennaPod may wish to try and pick up the slack on their end so as to not immediately turn away potential users. As it stands, I imagine most people would give up on AntennaPod immediately if they are unable to import their subscriptions.

Google Podcasts is pushing users to use YouTube Music, and it's worth noting that exporting the same subscriptions to YouTube Music does work.

Leaving this issue hoping to increase volume of users who will switch from Google Podcasts to AntennaPod, but please close if this issue is not appropriate since it's somewhere between a bug and a feature request, and is, again, ultimately a problem with Google Podcasts OPML export, not AntennaPod.

Expected behaviour

• The unescaped ampersand is identified and corrected while parsing the XML, OR,
• The problematic entity is ignored and that podcast skipped (ideally not silently)

Current behaviour

An error dialog appears with the message below and no subscriptions are imported.

An error has occurred while reading the OPML document:unterminated entity ref (position:START_TAG <outline xmlUrl='https://mindandmatter.substack.com/feed' type='rss' text=Two Psychologists, Four Beers'> @1:3732 in java.io.InputStream Reader@acc8e1 6)

Screenshot:

Logs

No response

[z-olpin]

I'm on mobile and unfamiliar with this repo, but I believe a relatively simple addition to the file core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/export/opml/OpmlReader.java could "fix" this problem (or perhaps more appropriately, implement this functionality)

[tonytamsf]

I think Google engineers have fixed this problem. I verified with Google Podcasts app , subscribed the feed you mentioned and exported OPML and xmllint and imported to AP. You can try exporting again from the latest version of Google Podcasts 1.0.0.562912592

[tonytamsf]

I've closed the issue, if you think it needs to be reopened, I can contact Google employees

[antennapod-bot]

This issue has been mentioned on AntennaPod Forum. There might be relevant details there:

https://forum.antennapod.org/t/can-i-bring-google-podcasts-over-since-they-are-going-away/3808/18

[shawnwright]

You've closed this but I'm having this same issue. I downloaded my OPML from google less than 10 minutes ago and am getting the same error as the OP.

[shawnwright]

For what it's worth, I do not get an error when I import the same OPML into pocket casts.

[tonytamsf]

Thanks @shawnwright . What version of Google Podcasts are you running?

[shawnwright]

The latest available version so far as I know. No updates available, and I'm on Android 14.

…

On Tue, Jan 23, 2024, 20:56 Tony Tam ***@***.***> wrote: Thanks @shawnwright <https://github.com/shawnwright> . What version of Google Podcasts are you running? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#6884 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAA4NWTOAQV4CFVJMU32BULYQBZ43AVCNFSM6AAAAABCBNV5FSVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMYTSMBXGI3DMNBVGY> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[tonytamsf]

@shawnwright - would you be willing to email me your OPML file? engineer.tonytam@gmail.com

[tonytamsf]

@shawnwright, can you still let me know the version of the Google Podcasts app? I think it's in the setting screen.

[shawnwright]

Did the screenshots not come through? 1.0.0.562912592

…

On Wed, Jan 24, 2024, 00:15 Tony Tam ***@***.***> wrote: @shawnwright <https://github.com/shawnwright>, can you still let me know the version of the Google Podcasts app? I think it's in the setting screen. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#6884 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAA4NWSLZ4JLV6XKMVG3YZTYQCRJRAVCNFSM6AAAAABCBNV5FSVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMYTSMBXGQ2DCNZTG4> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[RagingSquirrel]

I have the same issue with Google Takeout too.

[keunes]

@RagingSquirrel The original issue normally is fixed. Also the error message seems to be different from what's been reported before.

Could I ask you, therefore, to create a new bug report with all the details? If you're willing to, attaching the export from TakeOut would be helpful. If not publicly, you may send it to [my username]@mailbox.org and I'll test myself and pass it on to the relevant people if needed.

[nikau6]

Still not working for me. Google's opml files are corrupt. You can't read them with any opml reader on the web. They don't want you to use something else than Google Music.

[keunes]

Hi @nikau6, sorry to hear about that. Same request for you as in my previous comment: please create a new issue, ideally attaching your OPML file so it can be investigated.

[DigiFink]

I had the same issue and found out that Google generates a faulty OPML file when exporting.
For example:
<outline xmlUrl="https://example.com/feed/mp3" type="rss" text="foo & bar" />
instead of:
<outline xmlUrl="https://example.com/feed/mp3" type="rss" text="foo &amp; bar" />

"&" is a reserved character in XML files and marks the beginning of a character entity. If you want to use the "&" character in the text attribute, it must be written as "&am;" instead.
I didn't find any other reserved characters in the text attribute of my OPML file, but you might find some in yours.

Reserved characters and its named entities:

&: &
<: &lt;
>: &gt;
": &quot; 
': &apos; 

I manually corrected the OPML file in a text editor. After that, it was importable with AntennaPod.

This error only occurs when using the web version of Google Podcasts for exporting the opml file. The current mobile app appears to create a valid file.

[keunes]

Google generates a faulty OPML file when exporting.
"&" is a reserved character in XML files
This error only occurs when using the web version of Google Podcasts for exporting the opml file. The current mobile app appears to create a valid file.

Thanks @DigiFink for sharing that insight! @tonytamsf do you think we could get that message to Google engineers? In the meantime, I'll update our blog post on the website to recommend using the in-app export.