[Bug]: Audiobooksehlf app crashing after random amount of time #1145

New Issue

2026-04-24T23:50:56+02:00

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:50:56 +02:00

Originally created by @Commiccannon on GitHub (Feb 9, 2025).

What was the Problem?

Ever since updating to newest version of the app the app will stop playing randomly after somewhere between 1 min and 2 hours. When I open the app to resume playback thr app is running very slow and I usually have to force stop it to get it working again.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

Listen to any audiobook on the most recent update of the app.

What was Expected?

Audiobook keeps playing

Phone Model

Galaxy s23

Phone OS

Android 14

Audiobookshelf App Version

Android App - 0.9.79

Installation Source

Google Play Store

Additional Notes

No response

Originally created by @Commiccannon on GitHub (Feb 9, 2025). ### What was the Problem? Ever since updating to newest version of the app the app will stop playing randomly after somewhere between 1 min and 2 hours. When I open the app to resume playback thr app is running very slow and I usually have to force stop it to get it working again. ### Steps to Reproduce the Issue Listen to any audiobook on the most recent update of the app. ### What was Expected? Audiobook keeps playing ### Phone Model Galaxy s23 ### Phone OS Android 14 ### Audiobookshelf App Version Android App - 0.9.79 ### Installation Source Google Play Store ### Additional Notes _No response_

adam added the bug android labels 2026-04-24 23:50:56 +02:00

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:50:57 +02:00

@TCoughlin02 commented on GitHub (Feb 10, 2025):

I am having a similar problem.

@TCoughlin02 commented on GitHub (Feb 10, 2025): I am having a similar problem.

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:50:57 +02:00

@nichwall commented on GitHub (Feb 10, 2025):

There are some known issues with Android Auto related code causing high background usage in the recent app versions, but it still seems to affect some phones even if you aren't using Android Auto (so potentially related to that).

Can y'all answer the following questions to help try and narrow down what the cause could be?

Are these local audiobooks or streamed?
Are they single file or multiple files? File formats? All books or only certain books?
Are you using Android Auto, casting to a device, or only local playback?
Does the app crash or behave slowly if you don't listen to anything and are just navigating around the app?
How big are the libraries on the server?
How are you connecting to the server? Are you listening in poor cell service or somewhere that has a stable and fast connection?

@nichwall commented on GitHub (Feb 10, 2025): There are some known issues with Android Auto related code causing high background usage in the recent app versions, but it still seems to affect some phones even if you aren't using Android Auto (so potentially related to that). Can y'all answer the following questions to help try and narrow down what the cause could be? - Are these local audiobooks or streamed? - Are they single file or multiple files? File formats? All books or only certain books? - Are you using Android Auto, casting to a device, or only local playback? - Does the app crash or behave slowly if you don't listen to anything and are just navigating around the app? - How big are the libraries on the server? - How are you connecting to the server? Are you listening in poor cell service or somewhere that has a stable and fast connection?

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:50:58 +02:00

@Commiccannon commented on GitHub (Feb 10, 2025):

Usually local
So far only one book (i havnt finished this one yet) but ill update if it happens to another
Multiple files all .mp3
It started when I was using aindriod auto but has continued with local playback
Not that I've noticed but when it does after stopping it only takes about 30 seconds to fix so I probably havnt noticed if it would
I've currently got 35gb on the server
Happens both over very stable wifi and usually pretty good 4-5G connection

I have been getting device care conplain that audiobookshelf is using a lot of resources in the background to.

@Commiccannon commented on GitHub (Feb 10, 2025): Usually local So far only one book (i havnt finished this one yet) but ill update if it happens to another Multiple files all .mp3 It started when I was using aindriod auto but has continued with local playback Not that I've noticed but when it does after stopping it only takes about 30 seconds to fix so I probably havnt noticed if it would I've currently got 35gb on the server Happens both over very stable wifi and usually pretty good 4-5G connection I have been getting device care conplain that audiobookshelf is using a lot of resources in the background to.

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:50:59 +02:00

@burned42 commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2025):

Same issue on a Samsung Galaxy S22 here with current version of docker image and android app.

Are these local audiobooks or streamed?

Streamed podcast episodes.

Are they single file or multiple files? File formats? All books or only certain books?

Happens on different episodes and different podcasts.

Are you using Android Auto, casting to a device, or only local playback?

I noticed this behavior when not using Android Auto, but in general I also use Android Auto if that's relevant.

Does the app crash or behave slowly if you don't listen to anything and are just navigating around the app?

I didn't notice such behavior yet.

How big are the libraries on the server?

About a dozen podcasts with 3 episodes downloaded for each.

How are you connecting to the server? Are you listening in poor cell service or somewhere that has a stable and fast connection?

Happens via wifi as well as via mobile network 4G/5G, both are usually stable and fast.

edit: For me it seems to take more like between 1min and max. 5-10min before the app crashes.

@burned42 commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2025): Same issue on a Samsung Galaxy S22 here with current version of docker image and android app. > Are these local audiobooks or streamed? Streamed podcast episodes. > Are they single file or multiple files? File formats? All books or only certain books? Happens on different episodes and different podcasts. > Are you using Android Auto, casting to a device, or only local playback? I noticed this behavior when not using Android Auto, but in general I also use Android Auto if that's relevant. > Does the app crash or behave slowly if you don't listen to anything and are just navigating around the app? I didn't notice such behavior yet. > How big are the libraries on the server? About a dozen podcasts with 3 episodes downloaded for each. > How are you connecting to the server? Are you listening in poor cell service or somewhere that has a stable and fast connection? Happens via wifi as well as via mobile network 4G/5G, both are usually stable and fast. edit: For me it seems to take more like between 1min and max. 5-10min before the app crashes.

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:51:00 +02:00

@burned42 commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2025):

After writing my last comment, I checked for the latest pipeline and downloaded the apk from https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/actions/runs/13401920083

Afterwards I went for a walk and listened to podcasts for about an hour without any crashes, so the issue may be fixed on master already.

@burned42 commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2025): After writing my last comment, I checked for the latest pipeline and downloaded the apk from https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/actions/runs/13401920083 Afterwards I went for a walk and listened to podcasts for about an hour without any crashes, so the issue may be fixed on master already.

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:51:01 +02:00

@fmillion-mnsu commented on GitHub (Mar 20, 2025):

I am wondering if this is similar to an issue I'm having, but I don't believe the app is crashing.

Samsung (at least up through Android 14) has notoriously aggressive power saving algorithms that commonly kill apps running in the background even if you have changed settings to not do so. I have regularly had the audiobook suddenly stop playing, only to discover that the app is just not running anymore. It does look like a crash, but I suspect it's actually the horribly aggressive background app killing that Samsung does (since this doesn't seem to happen if the device is plugged in - although I have seen it happen then too, just far less often).

Audiobookshelf does not appear in the list of "never sleeping apps" (i.e. it's not in the list so you can't select it). I'm guessing this might be something you need to set in the app manifest? It also doesn't look like the app is requesting a wake lock (which is, I think, how you can have an app keep running in the background reliably? - I'm only a noob with Android development!)

https://dontkillmyapp.com/ has more info on the issue in general. Samsung supposedly is going to stop playing these games in Android 15, but 1) that's not available for most devices, even the S24 Ultra, yet, and 2) it sounds like it might only apply to apps built for the latest Android APIs, so apps that are trying to remain compatible with older devices might not be spared...

@fmillion-mnsu commented on GitHub (Mar 20, 2025): I am wondering if this is similar to an issue I'm having, but I don't believe the app is _crashing_. Samsung (at least up through Android 14) has notoriously aggressive power saving algorithms that commonly kill apps running in the background **even if you have changed settings to not do so**. I have regularly had the audiobook suddenly stop playing, only to discover that the app is just not running anymore. It does look like a crash, but I suspect it's actually the horribly aggressive background app killing that Samsung does (since this doesn't seem to happen if the device is plugged in - although I have seen it happen then too, just far less often). Audiobookshelf does not appear in the list of "never sleeping apps" (i.e. it's not in the list so you can't select it). I'm guessing this might be something you need to set in the app manifest? It also doesn't *look* like the app is requesting a wake lock (which is, I *think*, how you can have an app keep running in the background reliably? - I'm only a noob with Android development!) https://dontkillmyapp.com/ has more info on the issue in general. Samsung supposedly is going to stop playing these games in Android 15, but 1) that's not available for most devices, even the S24 Ultra, yet, and 2) it sounds like it might only apply to apps built for the latest Android APIs, so apps that are trying to remain compatible with older devices might not be spared...

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Reference: starred/audiobookshelf-app#1145