Cover Image in Downloaded Audiobook missing in Android Auto #101

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opened 2026-04-24 23:07:12 +02:00 by adam · 17 comments

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:12 +02:00

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Originally created by @Sacerdoss on GitHub (Apr 24, 2022).

Steps to reproduce

1. Download Audiobook from Server
2. Start Playing Audiobook
3. Cover of the Audiobook is black in the player.

Expected behaviour

• Cover is displayed

Actual behaviour

• A black image is shown

Environment data

Audiobookshelf Version:

• Android App?
• iOS App?

Android Issue

Android version: 11

Device model: Galaxy S10

Stock or customized system: Custom Lineage OS 18.1

iOS Issue

iOS Version: -

iPhone model: -

Originally created by @Sacerdoss on GitHub (Apr 24, 2022). ### Steps to reproduce 1. Download Audiobook from Server 2. Start Playing Audiobook 3. Cover of the Audiobook is black in the player. ### Expected behaviour - Cover is displayed ### Actual behaviour - A black image is shown ### Environment data Audiobookshelf Version: - [x] Android App? - [ ] iOS App? #### Android Issue Android version: 11 Device model: Galaxy S10 Stock or customized system: Custom Lineage OS 18.1 #### iOS Issue iOS Version: - iPhone model: -

adam added the bug label 2026-04-24 23:07:12 +02:00

adam closed this issue 2026-04-24 23:07:12 +02:00

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:13 +02:00

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@B0rax commented on GitHub (Apr 24, 2022):

On iOS I have the same problem with all audiobooks (not downloaded books)

@B0rax commented on GitHub (Apr 24, 2022): On iOS I have the same problem with all audiobooks (not downloaded books)

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:14 +02:00

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@MidnightSnowleopard commented on GitHub (Apr 24, 2022):

Downloading with 0.9.42-beta on Android with server v2.0.2 shows logs on server of "Api called without a token" for all calls to download cover.

Can provide more details if needed.

@MidnightSnowleopard commented on GitHub (Apr 24, 2022): Downloading with 0.9.42-beta on Android with server v2.0.2 shows logs on server of "Api called without a token" for all calls to download cover. Can provide more details if needed.

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:15 +02:00

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@advplyr commented on GitHub (Apr 30, 2022):

This is fixed with v0.9.43-beta

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Apr 30, 2022): This is fixed with [v0.9.43-beta](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/releases/tag/v0.9.43-beta)

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:15 +02:00

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@feerlessleadr commented on GitHub (May 4, 2022):

It looks like this is fixed for the app itself, but the issue is still present in Android Auto (Please let me know if you'd like me to open a separate issue on this).

@feerlessleadr commented on GitHub (May 4, 2022): It looks like this is fixed for the app itself, but the issue is still present in Android Auto (Please let me know if you'd like me to open a separate issue on this).

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:15 +02:00

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@advplyr commented on GitHub (Dec 13, 2022):

Partially fixed in v0.9.60-beta

In my testing I got the cover for downloaded items to show in the list views but once starting playback the cover was not showing.

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Dec 13, 2022): Partially fixed in [v0.9.60-beta](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/releases/tag/v0.9.60-beta) In my testing I got the cover for downloaded items to show in the list views but once starting playback the cover was not showing.

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:16 +02:00

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@gazpachoking commented on GitHub (Feb 18, 2023):

Yeah, still having this issue on latest version. I see the small cover before I start playing the book, and covers show large in the background for streaming books, but playing a downloaded book just has a blank background on the player in android auto.

@gazpachoking commented on GitHub (Feb 18, 2023): Yeah, still having this issue on latest version. I see the small cover before I start playing the book, and covers show large in the background for streaming books, but playing a downloaded book just has a blank background on the player in android auto.

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:16 +02:00

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@Ansem93 commented on GitHub (Mar 10, 2024):

If you will work on it again I can help it testing if you want :)

@Ansem93 commented on GitHub (Mar 10, 2024): If you will work on it again I can help it testing if you want :)

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:16 +02:00

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@SenorSmartyPants commented on GitHub (Jun 10, 2024):

Still an issue. Cover shows in queue, but not on large nowplaying screen.
Android 10, Android App version 0.9.74-beta, server ABS v2.10.1.
Book is a collection of MP3s, 1 per chapter. Book was downloaded to local in app storage (default storage on android 10).
Here's a couple screenshots.

@SenorSmartyPants commented on GitHub (Jun 10, 2024): Still an issue. Cover shows in queue, but not on large nowplaying screen. Android 10, Android App version 0.9.74-beta, server ABS v2.10.1. Book is a collection of MP3s, 1 per chapter. Book was downloaded to local in app storage (default storage on android 10). Here's a couple screenshots.  

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:17 +02:00

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@JeffSchofield commented on GitHub (Jul 26, 2024):

I have this issue as well. It has been going on for a couple of years. I had this problem initially, but then at one point it was fixed in an update. Recently the issue came back.

For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue.

EDIT: Just saw above was a local file. Maybe not related to network depending on how the cover is fetched.

@JeffSchofield commented on GitHub (Jul 26, 2024): I have this issue as well. It has been going on for a couple of years. I had this problem initially, but then at one point it was fixed in an update. Recently the issue came back. For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue. EDIT: Just saw above was a local file. Maybe not related to network depending on how the cover is fetched.

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:17 +02:00

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@gavinorland commented on GitHub (Jul 27, 2024):

This is the number one issue for me at the moment. True, it doesn't really inhibit using the app, but it would be nice to have the image there on Android Auto :) .

For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue.

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but for me the cover image does show if the book is streaming, but does not show if the book is locally downloaded.

@gavinorland commented on GitHub (Jul 27, 2024): This is the number one issue for me at the moment. True, it doesn't really inhibit using the app, but it would be nice to have the image there on Android Auto :) . > _For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue._ I'm not sure what you mean by this, but for me the cover image _does_ show if the book is streaming, but _does not_ show if the book is locally downloaded.

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:18 +02:00

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@JeffSchofield commented on GitHub (Jul 27, 2024):

This is the number one issue for me at the moment. True, it doesn't really inhibit using the app, but it would be nice to have the image there on Android Auto :) .

For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue.

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but for me the cover image does show if the book is streaming, but does not show if the book is locally downloaded.

Oh shoot, I misread this thread as no covers generally. I have this problem for both local and network on Android Auto.

I'm digging through the related code to help get some clarity. It looks like for local covers there is a different method of loading depending on SDK version. Can you clarify what version of Android you're using?

@JeffSchofield commented on GitHub (Jul 27, 2024): > This is the number one issue for me at the moment. True, it doesn't really inhibit using the app, but it would be nice to have the image there on Android Auto :) . > > > _For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue._ > > I'm not sure what you mean by this, but for me the cover image _does_ show if the book is streaming, but _does not_ show if the book is locally downloaded. Oh shoot, I misread this thread as no covers generally. I have this problem for both local and network on Android Auto. I'm digging through the [related code](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/blob/master/android/app/src/main/java/com/audiobookshelf/app/player/PlayerNotificationService.kt#L295) to help get some clarity. It looks like for local covers there is a different method of loading depending on SDK version. Can you clarify what version of Android you're using?

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:18 +02:00

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@feerlessleadr commented on GitHub (Jul 27, 2024):

This is the number one issue for me at the moment. True, it doesn't really inhibit using the app, but it would be nice to have the image there on Android Auto :) .

For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue.

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but for me the cover image does show if the book is streaming, but does not show if the book is locally downloaded.

Oh shoot, I misread this thread as no covers generally. I have this problem for both local and network on Android Auto.

I'm digging through the related code to help get some clarity. It looks like for local covers there is a different method of loading depending on SDK version. Can you clarify what version of Android you're using?

I also have this issue, but have had this across Android versions. I think all the way back as 10 or 11. I'm currently on 14.

@feerlessleadr commented on GitHub (Jul 27, 2024): > > This is the number one issue for me at the moment. True, it doesn't really inhibit using the app, but it would be nice to have the image there on Android Auto :) . > > > _For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue._ > > > > > > I'm not sure what you mean by this, but for me the cover image _does_ show if the book is streaming, but _does not_ show if the book is locally downloaded. > > Oh shoot, I misread this thread as no covers generally. I have this problem for both local and network on Android Auto. > > I'm digging through the [related code](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/blob/master/android/app/src/main/java/com/audiobookshelf/app/player/PlayerNotificationService.kt#L295) to help get some clarity. It looks like for local covers there is a different method of loading depending on SDK version. Can you clarify what version of Android you're using? I also have this issue, but have had this across Android versions. I think all the way back as 10 or 11. I'm currently on 14.

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:19 +02:00

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@gavinorland commented on GitHub (Jul 27, 2024):

Can you clarify what version of Android you're using?

I'm using Android 12 but I saw the issue on later versions with another phone, too.

@gavinorland commented on GitHub (Jul 27, 2024): > _Can you clarify what version of Android you're using?_ I'm using Android 12 but I saw the issue on later versions with another phone, too.

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:20 +02:00

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@SenorSmartyPants commented on GitHub (Jul 28, 2024):

I've got it on Android 10

@SenorSmartyPants commented on GitHub (Jul 28, 2024): I've got it on Android 10

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:21 +02:00

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@Ansem93 commented on GitHub (Jul 28, 2024):

This is the number one issue for me at the moment. True, it doesn't really inhibit using the app, but it would be nice to have the image there on Android Auto :) .

For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue.

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but for me the cover image does show if the book is streaming, but does not show if the book is locally downloaded.

Oh shoot, I misread this thread as no covers generally. I have this problem for both local and network on Android Auto.

I'm digging through the related code to help get some clarity. It looks like for local covers there is a different method of loading depending on SDK version. Can you clarify what version of Android you're using?

I'm on the latest 14

@Ansem93 commented on GitHub (Jul 28, 2024): > > This is the number one issue for me at the moment. True, it doesn't really inhibit using the app, but it would be nice to have the image there on Android Auto :) . > > > _For anyone else getting the issue, how are you reaching your own instance? I am using Tailscale so I'm wondering if this is more of a config issue._ > > > > > > I'm not sure what you mean by this, but for me the cover image _does_ show if the book is streaming, but _does not_ show if the book is locally downloaded. > > Oh shoot, I misread this thread as no covers generally. I have this problem for both local and network on Android Auto. > > I'm digging through the [related code](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/blob/master/android/app/src/main/java/com/audiobookshelf/app/player/PlayerNotificationService.kt#L295) to help get some clarity. It looks like for local covers there is a different method of loading depending on SDK version. Can you clarify what version of Android you're using? I'm on the latest 14

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:21 +02:00

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@Sp4rky001 commented on GitHub (Aug 31, 2024):

Oh shoot, I misread this thread as no covers generally. I have this problem for both local and network on Android Auto.

I'm digging through the related code to help get some clarity. It looks like for local covers there is a different method of loading depending on SDK version. Can you clarify what version of Android you're using?

Hi, thanks for pointing me in the right direction with the relevant code. I'm a web/java programmer and never worked with Android before so it would have taken me a long time to figure out even where to look.

I think that the fix for this issue is pretty simple: If you setIconUri, setIconBitmap will be ignored.

I modified the code like so:

       val mediaDescriptionBuilder = MediaDescriptionCompat.Builder()
          .setExtras(extra)
          .setTitle(currentPlaybackSession!!.displayTitle)
//          .setIconUri(coverUri)

        bitmap?.let {
          mediaDescriptionBuilder.setIconBitmap(it)
        } ?: mediaDescriptionBuilder.setIconUri(coverUri)

        return mediaDescriptionBuilder.build()

I compiled and tested on my own device and the artwork is showing up for both local and streamed books.

Please let me know what you think. Thank you!

@Sp4rky001 commented on GitHub (Aug 31, 2024): > > Oh shoot, I misread this thread as no covers generally. I have this problem for both local and network on Android Auto. > > I'm digging through the [related code](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/blob/master/android/app/src/main/java/com/audiobookshelf/app/player/PlayerNotificationService.kt#L295) to help get some clarity. It looks like for local covers there is a different method of loading depending on SDK version. Can you clarify what version of Android you're using? Hi, thanks for pointing me in the right direction with the relevant code. I'm a web/java programmer and never worked with Android before so it would have taken me a long time to figure out even where to look. I think that the fix for this issue is pretty simple: If you setIconUri, setIconBitmap will be ignored. I modified the code like so: ``` val mediaDescriptionBuilder = MediaDescriptionCompat.Builder() .setExtras(extra) .setTitle(currentPlaybackSession!!.displayTitle) // .setIconUri(coverUri) bitmap?.let { mediaDescriptionBuilder.setIconBitmap(it) } ?: mediaDescriptionBuilder.setIconUri(coverUri) return mediaDescriptionBuilder.build() ``` I compiled and tested on my own device and the artwork is showing up for both local and streamed books. Please let me know what you think. Thank you!

adam commented 2026-04-24 23:07:21 +02:00

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@github-actions[bot] commented on GitHub (Nov 6, 2024):

Fixed in v0.9.77-beta.

@github-actions[bot] commented on GitHub (Nov 6, 2024): Fixed in [v0.9.77-beta](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/releases/tag/v0.9.77-beta).

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Reference: starred/audiobookshelf-app#101