Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed?

[mitchdowney]

Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed?

[mitchdowney]

This seems to happen randomly unfortunately for a small % of listeners whenever we update the app 🤦‍♂️ I haven't identified a root cause yet.

Some people report the issue goes away after restarting their phone, or if that doesn't work, deleting and reinstalling the app.

If you have a Podverse Premium membership then the app should auto-restore your subscriptions after reinstall. If you'd like us to extend your Premium membership for free, then please email contact@podverse.fm, and let us know what email address you use to sign into Podverse Premium.

[dindale]

This is a serious issue that has made Podvese almost unusable for me. It is without a doubt Podverse related, and I lose Airplay connectivity any time the screen moves away from the Podverse app. It is broken on my iPhone, two iPads, and an older iPod Touch. I've gone back to an earlier version of Podverse on the old device (to test if it worked), and it worked fine - until it forced me to update the app. It was immediately broken again after that. That tells me that it's not just a small number of devices - I have 4 Apple devices, and it is affecting all of them.

Guys, I'd hate to stop using you now, but try listening to podcasts while working out and you can't lock your device screen, or listen to podcasts and you can't open another app at any point without losing audio. I spent three weeks working with Sonos, thinking it was their problem - only to finally isolate it to Podverse.

Any effort being put into fixing this???

[mitchdowney]

Hi @dindale I'm very sorry for the trouble and the delay. I haven't been able to work on Podverse for a long time, but I'm finally back at it. We've had several people report to us that AirPlay was working previously, but stopped working after an update.

Unfortunately, we have never actually added AirPlay support by design. Apparently it was working by accident previously, but we didn't implement that feature. We also don't mention AirPlay in our features list. The root of the problem is that the open source library we use, react-native-track-player, does not yet officially support AirPlay. Here is a table showing their latest casting support:

The react-native-track-player library is the only open source library in existence that can support the features of Podverse as an open source, cross platform app, so unfortunately it seems we are stuck being unable to offer AirPlay support for now. It's very difficult (and not lucrative at all) creating open source software, so there's not much I can do but ask the RNTP library maintainers if this is a feature they plan on implementing soon.

Sorry again for the trouble. If you purchased a Premium membership and Podverse isn't usable for your purposes, please email us at contact@podverse.fm and we can help you with processing a refund.

[mitchdowney]

@dindale sorry I have a follow up question...is the issue specifically with AirPlay? Or is it with any bluetooth device? I use Podverse with my AirPods often, and I have been able to move the app into the background without the audio stopping. I just want to make sure the bug you're reporting is specifically with AirPlay and not with other scenarios where the app is moved into the background.

[dindale]

Seems to only be with Airplay. The Control Center still shows the speakers as the source, but the audio plays to the iPhone. If I pause/play Podverse, the audio starts on the speakers again. Only happens with Podverse.

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________________________________ From: Mitch Downey ***@***.***> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2024 9:21:35 PM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Cc: dindale ***@***.***>; Mention ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) @dindale<https://github.com/dindale> sorry I have a follow up question...is the issue specifically with AirPlay? Or is it with any bluetooth device? I use Podverse with my AirPods often, and I have been able to move the app into the background without the audio stopping. I just want to make sure the bug you're reporting is specifically with AirPlay and not with other scenarios where the app is moved into the background. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#20 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAGOLK3ACVTRTJXHX5PBTQTY3X4B7AVCNFSM6AAAAAA7G2A5SWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43SRDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHM4TAMJVHE2TA>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[dindale]

Hey Mitch - some additional information that may be helpful... It also works fine hardwired into headphones or a car adapter. It's strange.... This was never a problem until some point in Jan/Feb. Worked fine from the beginning, and then after an update sometime in that timeframe, it just broke. I initially thought it was an Apple or Sonos issues, but after a lot of troubleshooting and reverting to older software versions, the only thing that was consistent was Podverse. I wasn't sure until I dug up an older iPod Touch that I remembered had an old version of Podverse on it. After charging, I turned off all automatic updates, and it worked perfectly until the app forced me to upgrade Podverse (it wouldn't continue playing without the update). As soon as the update finished - didn't work anymore. I can connect via Airplay, and if I disable the screen auto lock and don't touch the iPhone, it'll usually play endlessly without issues. If the screen locks, another app jumps to the front, or I accidentally hit one of the side buttons - audio drops out to the iPhone immediately. Happy to troubleshoot, take videos of the issue, or anything else you might need (if you have time to fix it). I understand if it's not worth your time. It's funny, I know switching to another app might only take me an hour or two to get setup how I like, but I have been so used to Podverse over the years that it feels like a friend is dying on me!🤣 Best, Keith

…

________________________________ From: K Mc ***@***.***> Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 8:11:42 AM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) Seems to only be with Airplay. The Control Center still shows the speakers as the source, but the audio plays to the iPhone. If I pause/play Podverse, the audio starts on the speakers again. Only happens with Podverse.

________________________________ From: Mitch Downey ***@***.***> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2024 9:21:35 PM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Cc: dindale ***@***.***>; Mention ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) @dindale<https://github.com/dindale> sorry I have a follow up question...is the issue specifically with AirPlay? Or is it with any bluetooth device? I use Podverse with my AirPods often, and I have been able to move the app into the background without the audio stopping. I just want to make sure the bug you're reporting is specifically with AirPlay and not with other scenarios where the app is moved into the background. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#20 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAGOLK3ACVTRTJXHX5PBTQTY3X4B7AVCNFSM6AAAAAA7G2A5SWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43SRDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHM4TAMJVHE2TA>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[dindale]

I'm assuming another update was pushed? Whatever you did, it appears to have fixed the issues I was having. 🙂

…

________________________________ From: K Mc ***@***.***> Sent: Saturday, April 6, 2024 11:18:03 AM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) Hey Mitch - some additional information that may be helpful... It also works fine hardwired into headphones or a car adapter. It's strange.... This was never a problem until some point in Jan/Feb. Worked fine from the beginning, and then after an update sometime in that timeframe, it just broke. I initially thought it was an Apple or Sonos issues, but after a lot of troubleshooting and reverting to older software versions, the only thing that was consistent was Podverse. I wasn't sure until I dug up an older iPod Touch that I remembered had an old version of Podverse on it. After charging, I turned off all automatic updates, and it worked perfectly until the app forced me to upgrade Podverse (it wouldn't continue playing without the update). As soon as the update finished - didn't work anymore. I can connect via Airplay, and if I disable the screen auto lock and don't touch the iPhone, it'll usually play endlessly without issues. If the screen locks, another app jumps to the front, or I accidentally hit one of the side buttons - audio drops out to the iPhone immediately. Happy to troubleshoot, take videos of the issue, or anything else you might need (if you have time to fix it). I understand if it's not worth your time. It's funny, I know switching to another app might only take me an hour or two to get setup how I like, but I have been so used to Podverse over the years that it feels like a friend is dying on me!🤣 Best, Keith

________________________________ From: K Mc ***@***.***> Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 8:11:42 AM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) Seems to only be with Airplay. The Control Center still shows the speakers as the source, but the audio plays to the iPhone. If I pause/play Podverse, the audio starts on the speakers again. Only happens with Podverse.

________________________________ From: Mitch Downey ***@***.***> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2024 9:21:35 PM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Cc: dindale ***@***.***>; Mention ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) @dindale<https://github.com/dindale> sorry I have a follow up question...is the issue specifically with AirPlay? Or is it with any bluetooth device? I use Podverse with my AirPods often, and I have been able to move the app into the background without the audio stopping. I just want to make sure the bug you're reporting is specifically with AirPlay and not with other scenarios where the app is moved into the background. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#20 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAGOLK3ACVTRTJXHX5PBTQTY3X4B7AVCNFSM6AAAAAA7G2A5SWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43SRDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHM4TAMJVHE2TA>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[mitchdowney]

woo hoo! 🥳 there were some permissions missing in our player. They were enabled by default previously, but I made a coding error that wiped them out. Anyway glad it's working finally!

[dindale]

Well thank you! It made my week to get it back. 🙂

…

________________________________ From: Mitch Downey ***@***.***> Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 10:06:20 PM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Cc: dindale ***@***.***>; Mention ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) woo hoo! 🥳 there were some permissions missing in our player. They were enabled by default previously, but I made a coding error that wiped them out. Anyway glad it's working finally! — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#20 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAGOLKYHOZQYAUNKGL3CUYTY7GZBZAVCNFSM6AAAAAA7G2A5SWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43SRDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHM4TEMZRGQYDA>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[dindale]

Hey guys, Still riding high over you fixing the Airplay issue earlier this year, so this is just a minor complaint.🙂 I have noticed in the past few weeks that the app has started not reliably marking podcasts as played. I will mark an episode played, listen to another one or two, and when I go back to the original podcast later that day or possibly the next day - the episode still shows up as unplayed. I mark it played again, and it seems to stick. I haven't found a definite way to recreate the situation yet - it seems random and doesn't always happen. It is happening frequently enough that I have noticed it. I often listen to 2 or 3 new episodes in a row, and will go back after marking them all as listened - and sometimes more than one is still showing up in the "Episodes" list as unplayed. It feels like the second time I mark an episode, it always takes (but I could be imagining that). Best, Keith

…

________________________________ From: K Mc ***@***.***> Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 6:19:40 PM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) I'm assuming another update was pushed? Whatever you did, it appears to have fixed the issues I was having. 🙂

________________________________ From: K Mc ***@***.***> Sent: Saturday, April 6, 2024 11:18:03 AM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) Hey Mitch - some additional information that may be helpful... It also works fine hardwired into headphones or a car adapter. It's strange.... This was never a problem until some point in Jan/Feb. Worked fine from the beginning, and then after an update sometime in that timeframe, it just broke. I initially thought it was an Apple or Sonos issues, but after a lot of troubleshooting and reverting to older software versions, the only thing that was consistent was Podverse. I wasn't sure until I dug up an older iPod Touch that I remembered had an old version of Podverse on it. After charging, I turned off all automatic updates, and it worked perfectly until the app forced me to upgrade Podverse (it wouldn't continue playing without the update). As soon as the update finished - didn't work anymore. I can connect via Airplay, and if I disable the screen auto lock and don't touch the iPhone, it'll usually play endlessly without issues. If the screen locks, another app jumps to the front, or I accidentally hit one of the side buttons - audio drops out to the iPhone immediately. Happy to troubleshoot, take videos of the issue, or anything else you might need (if you have time to fix it). I understand if it's not worth your time. It's funny, I know switching to another app might only take me an hour or two to get setup how I like, but I have been so used to Podverse over the years that it feels like a friend is dying on me!🤣 Best, Keith

________________________________ From: K Mc ***@***.***> Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 8:11:42 AM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) Seems to only be with Airplay. The Control Center still shows the speakers as the source, but the audio plays to the iPhone. If I pause/play Podverse, the audio starts on the speakers again. Only happens with Podverse.

________________________________ From: Mitch Downey ***@***.***> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2024 9:21:35 PM To: podverse/info ***@***.***> Cc: dindale ***@***.***>; Mention ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [podverse/info] Podverse is not playing while the app is in the background or the screen is locked. Can it be fixed? (Discussion #20) @dindale<https://github.com/dindale> sorry I have a follow up question...is the issue specifically with AirPlay? Or is it with any bluetooth device? I use Podverse with my AirPods often, and I have been able to move the app into the background without the audio stopping. I just want to make sure the bug you're reporting is specifically with AirPlay and not with other scenarios where the app is moved into the background. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#20 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAGOLK3ACVTRTJXHX5PBTQTY3X4B7AVCNFSM6AAAAAA7G2A5SWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43SRDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHM4TAMJVHE2TA>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[mitchdowney]

Hi Keith, I'm sorry for the trouble. We are currently working on a full rewrite of the Podverse infrastructure, which should be far more reliable than the current version when it's finished. Unfortunately it will be a lot of work, and we're not expecting it to be available in beta until close to the end of the year. In any case, mysterious bugs like this where data isn't saved or goes missing should be solved in the newer version. Thank you for the bug report!