[Bug]: Android media control disappears while paused for a couple minutes #1347

New Issue

2026-04-24T23:57:41+02:00

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:41 +02:00

Originally created by @jaredtodworkman on GitHub (Feb 9, 2026).

I have verified that the bug is not already awaiting release

Yes

What was the Problem?

ABS on Android only remains running in the background while paused for a very brief time, the media control notification disappearing after only a couple minutes. This is a new problem after the latest update. I know that it's a problem with ABS because other apps like Spotify last forever paused.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

Leave ABS paused and running in the background for a couple minutes. The media control notification disappears.

What was Expected?

It used to stay running in the background for several hours, allowing me to pause the audiobook and start it again without reopening the app. I miss those days.

Phone Model

Pixel 6a

Phone OS

Android 16

Audiobookshelf App Version

Android App - 0.11.0

Installation Source

Google Play Store

Additional Notes

No response

Originally created by @jaredtodworkman on GitHub (Feb 9, 2026). ### I have verified that the [bug is not already awaiting release](https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf-app/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20label%3A%22awaiting%20release%22) Yes ### What was the Problem? ABS on Android only remains running in the background while paused for a very brief time, the media control notification disappearing after only a couple minutes. This is a new problem after the latest update. I know that it's a problem with ABS because other apps like Spotify last forever paused. ### Steps to Reproduce the Issue Leave ABS paused and running in the background for a couple minutes. The media control notification disappears. ### What was Expected? It used to stay running in the background for several hours, allowing me to pause the audiobook and start it again without reopening the app. I miss those days. ### Phone Model Pixel 6a ### Phone OS Android 16 ### Audiobookshelf App Version Android App - 0.11.0 ### Installation Source Google Play Store ### Additional Notes _No response_

adam added the bug label 2026-04-24 23:57:41 +02:00

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:42 +02:00

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 6, 2026):

I have also experienced this. I noticed that anytime I go to resume my audio after a few minutes (taking my ear buds out for a few minutes to work on something). It seems that every time I leave my audio for a few minutes that the media will never resume. It's as though the background process on Android is being force closed after a few minutes. I didn't have this issue back in early January, but this appears to be a similar case to mine.

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 6, 2026): I have also experienced this. I noticed that anytime I go to resume my audio after a few minutes (taking my ear buds out for a few minutes to work on something). It seems that every time I leave my audio for a few minutes that the media will never resume. It's as though the background process on Android is being force closed after a few minutes. I didn't have this issue back in early January, but this appears to be a similar case to mine.

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:42 +02:00

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Apr 6, 2026):

Can you check what the battery usage settings are for the app? There should also be an option to set background usage to "Unrestricted". Can you test that out?

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Apr 6, 2026): Can you check what the battery usage settings are for the app? There should also be an option to set background usage to "Unrestricted". Can you test that out?

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:43 +02:00

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026):

Hello @advplyr

I have tried switching it to "Unrestricted" when I first started experiencing the issue, however, I just got a new phone a week ago so this has been an issue with two phones now. Both were android (Pixel 8 and Galaxy S26+). I also tried clearing the non-metadata cache as well. I set the app to be unrestricted in "maximum power saving mode" as well just in case that was a problem (even though I don't use that mode). Any other suggestions you can think of?

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026): Hello @advplyr I have tried switching it to "Unrestricted" when I first started experiencing the issue, however, I just got a new phone a week ago so this has been an issue with two phones now. Both were android (Pixel 8 and Galaxy S26+). I also tried clearing the non-metadata cache as well. I set the app to be unrestricted in "maximum power saving mode" as well just in case that was a problem (even though I don't use that mode). Any other suggestions you can think of?

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:43 +02:00

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026):

Hello @advplyr

I have tried switching it to "Unrestricted" when I first started experiencing the issue, however, I just got a new phone a week ago so this has been an issue with two phones now. Both were android (Pixel 8 and Galaxy S26+). I also tried clearing the non-metadata cache as well. I set the app to be unrestricted in "maximum power saving mode" as well just in case that was a problem (even though I don't use that mode). Any other suggestions you can think of?

Are you playing downloaded books or streaming? If streaming, can you see if it happens with downloaded books?

Does this happen when the app is in the background but the screen stays on?

It is also possible that other apps could interfere. Can you see if this happens when all other apps are closed

@advplyr commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026): > Hello [@advplyr](https://github.com/advplyr) > > I have tried switching it to "Unrestricted" when I first started experiencing the issue, however, I just got a new phone a week ago so this has been an issue with two phones now. Both were android (Pixel 8 and Galaxy S26+). I also tried clearing the non-metadata cache as well. I set the app to be unrestricted in "maximum power saving mode" as well just in case that was a problem (even though I don't use that mode). Any other suggestions you can think of? Are you playing downloaded books or streaming? If streaming, can you see if it happens with downloaded books? Does this happen when the app is in the background but the screen stays on? It is also possible that other apps could interfere. Can you see if this happens when all other apps are closed

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:43 +02:00

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026):

Hello @advplyr
I have tried switching it to "Unrestricted" when I first started experiencing the issue, however, I just got a new phone a week ago so this has been an issue with two phones now. Both were android (Pixel 8 and Galaxy S26+). I also tried clearing the non-metadata cache as well. I set the app to be unrestricted in "maximum power saving mode" as well just in case that was a problem (even though I don't use that mode). Any other suggestions you can think of?

Are you playing downloaded books or streaming? If streaming, can you see if it happens with downloaded books?

Does this happen when the app is in the background but the screen stays on?

It is also possible that other apps could interfere. Can you see if this happens when all other apps are closed

I can at least confirm that I am utilizing a downloaded book. I almost never stream on mobile as I'm usually walking around where data is unstable. This only happens when I stop the playback, wait about 10-20 minutes, then try playing again.

I can't confirm today whether other apps are interfering, so I can troubleshoot that tomorrow. With that said, most of the time (in the morning, I only open Discord and I am not watching any media with audio. Hope this helps!

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026): > > Hello [@advplyr](https://github.com/advplyr) > > I have tried switching it to "Unrestricted" when I first started experiencing the issue, however, I just got a new phone a week ago so this has been an issue with two phones now. Both were android (Pixel 8 and Galaxy S26+). I also tried clearing the non-metadata cache as well. I set the app to be unrestricted in "maximum power saving mode" as well just in case that was a problem (even though I don't use that mode). Any other suggestions you can think of? > > Are you playing downloaded books or streaming? If streaming, can you see if it happens with downloaded books? > > Does this happen when the app is in the background but the screen stays on? > > It is also possible that other apps could interfere. Can you see if this happens when all other apps are closed I can at least confirm that I am utilizing a downloaded book. I almost never stream on mobile as I'm usually walking around where data is unstable. This only happens when I stop the playback, wait about 10-20 minutes, then try playing again. I can't confirm today whether other apps are interfering, so I can troubleshoot that tomorrow. With that said, most of the time (in the morning, I only open Discord and I am not watching any media with audio. Hope this helps!

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:43 +02:00

@jaredtodworkman commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026):

I can confirm that it's not interference from other apps. I just had it happen with all other apps closed.

@jaredtodworkman commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026): I can confirm that it's not interference from other apps. I just had it happen with all other apps closed.

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:44 +02:00

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026):

I can confirm the same as jared. I believe that I may have some more details based on what I noticed today. It seems like every time I put my earbuds away or leave Android Auto (essentially bluetooth connections), the audio cannot play again unless I open the app. Autoplay just doesn't work. My guess is that the background usage is being blocked for some reason (even with unrestricted access).

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026): I can confirm the same as jared. I believe that I may have some more details based on what I noticed today. It seems like every time I put my earbuds away or leave Android Auto (essentially bluetooth connections), the audio cannot play again unless I open the app. Autoplay just doesn't work. My guess is that the background usage is being blocked for some reason (even with unrestricted access).

adam commented

2026-04-24 23:57:44 +02:00

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 16, 2026):

Any updates on this one? This is still happening for me. Anytime I switch from Android Auto to my buds, I have to go into the app to start the audio again. Whenever I disconnect any bluetooth source, I have to go into the app to restart the audio now that I think about it. Perhaps it's an issue with bluetooth tracking?

@NoxRaijin commented on GitHub (Apr 16, 2026): Any updates on this one? This is still happening for me. Anytime I switch from Android Auto to my buds, I have to go into the app to start the audio again. Whenever I disconnect any bluetooth source, I have to go into the app to restart the audio now that I think about it. Perhaps it's an issue with bluetooth tracking?

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Reference: starred/audiobookshelf-app#1347