[Bug]: Offline playback not working for custom folder downloads #1091

New Issue

2026-04-24T23:48:20+02:00

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:48:20 +02:00

Originally created by @SurjitSahoo on GitHub (Nov 23, 2024).

What was the Problem?

From settings > Local Media, I've added a custom folder for books and another custom folder for podcasts. And I downloaded some books and podcasts to the custom folders. Then when I try to play the downloaded books, the app crashes.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

Click on the hamburger menu on top right corner.
Click on "Local Media"
Select Media Type "Books" and click on "New Folder" and select an empty folder from phone storage.
Go to library and download some books to the custom folder.
Try to play the downloaded book

What was Expected?

The playback should work.

Phone Model

Mi 11x

Phone OS

PixelOS: Android 14

Audiobookshelf App Version

Android App - 0.9.77

Installation Source

Google Play Store

Additional Notes

I tried download a book to the default "Internal App Storage", and for that book the playback worked just fine.
The playback doesn't work when the book is downloaded to the custom folder.

Originally created by @SurjitSahoo on GitHub (Nov 23, 2024). ### What was the Problem? From settings > Local Media, I've added a custom folder for books and another custom folder for podcasts. And I downloaded some books and podcasts to the custom folders. Then when I try to play the downloaded books, the app crashes. ### Steps to Reproduce the Issue 1. Click on the hamburger menu on top right corner. 2. Click on "Local Media" 3. Select Media Type "Books" and click on "New Folder" and select an empty folder from phone storage. 4. Go to library and download some books to the custom folder. 5. Try to play the downloaded book ### What was Expected? The playback should work. ### Phone Model Mi 11x ### Phone OS PixelOS: Android 14 ### Audiobookshelf App Version Android App - 0.9.77 ### Installation Source Google Play Store ### Additional Notes I tried download a book to the default "Internal App Storage", and for that book the playback worked just fine. The playback doesn't work when the book is downloaded to the custom folder.

adam added the bug android labels 2026-04-24 23:48:20 +02:00

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:48:21 +02:00

@Tom-Finke commented on GitHub (Nov 27, 2025):

I am experiencing the exact opposite:

I can stream podcast just fine
I cannot play Podcasts downloaded to the default "Internal App Storage". The App crashes every time I try
I CAN play Podcasts downloaded to a custom folder (what a great feature btw, I just love audiobookshelf)

Phone Model
Fairphone 5

Phone OS
/e/ OS 3.1.4 (Android 13)

Audiobookshelf App Version
0.11.0-beta

Custom Folder from which I can stream podcasts:
/storage/emulated/0/Podcasts/Audiobookshelf

@Tom-Finke commented on GitHub (Nov 27, 2025): I am experiencing the exact opposite: - I can stream podcast just fine - I cannot play Podcasts downloaded to the default "Internal App Storage". The App crashes every time I try - I CAN play Podcasts downloaded to a custom folder (what a great feature btw, I just love audiobookshelf) Phone Model Fairphone 5 Phone OS /e/ OS 3.1.4 (Android 13) Audiobookshelf App Version 0.11.0-beta Custom Folder from which I can stream podcasts: /storage/emulated/0/Podcasts/Audiobookshelf

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Reference: starred/audiobookshelf-app#1091