Android: Playback stops when screen Locked or App Backgrounded

[Marcia13]

Pandora randomly stops playing on Android

Has this problem ever been resolved?  It seems lots of folks have had this same problem but I couldn't find a definitive reason why or a solution.  I have a Pixel 4A 5G and just started a paid subscription a few days ago.  I can listen for about thirty minutes or so, and then for no apparent reason, it stops.  The only way to get it started again is to exit the app and then try again.  This glitch needs to be fixed...please!

mod edit: changed title for clarity

[AdamPandora]

@MusicFan11929 I moved your post over to this existing thread: Android: Playback stops when screen Locked or App Backgrounded

Check out the accepted solution for our recommended troubleshooting steps, as they may resolve the issue for you.

Let me know how it goes.

[Songstress]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. I used to be able to play Pandora in the background while using another app. Now, if I open anything else, after opening Pandora, the music stops. No error message. It just stops playing.

[MariaPandora]

Hi @Songstress !

To keep things in order, I moved your post over to this existing thread: Android: Playback stops when screen Locked or App Backgrounded

Please the accepted solution for our recommended troubleshooting steps.

Let me know how it goes.

[TwoPennies]

Issue with playback on Samsung phone - Pandora stops working when screen times out

I've emailed support about this issue several times. Nothing has been resolved. When Pandora is running on my phone (on wi-fi), it will not play the next song if the screen has timed out. Once I've  refreshed the screen, Pandora continues. I've sent the build and version of my phone and hear nothing back. NOW I see that my Pandora subscription is going up 20% at renewal. SERIOIUSLY...looking into Spotify. The latest issue is it takes several times to get Pandora up and going...constantly getting a "retry" when loading the app. And, yes, I've uninstalled the app and reinstalled it. That did not fix the problem. Maybe I should take this to TikTok and see how other's feel about the quality of this app taking a dive while they plan to up the subscriptions by 20%! 

[ArtP]

After the latest update Pandora stops playing in auto play mode when I lock the screen. I start a song, lock the screen and put the phone away. It keeps playing until the song comes to an end and Pandora stops playing. 

Once I unlock the screen it starts playing again. 

Happens very often but unfortunately not all the time. 

[AdamPandora]

@ArtP To clarify, does this only happen when Pandora is in AutoPlay?

Or does the music also stop (when your phone screen is locked) while listening to regular stations, albums or playlists?

Let me know.

[ArtP]

Anything. Playlist as well. Just tested. But it doesn't stop the music immediately. Finished the song. Also it happens when I have Bluetooth earbuds in. I'll test with Bluetooth in the car. It wasn't happening in the car yesterday. 

[AdamPandora]

@ArtP Thanks for following up.

I moved your post over to this existing thread: Android: Playback stops when screen Locked or App Backgrounded

In the meantime, check out the accepted solution for our recommended troubleshooting steps, as they may resolve the issue for you.

Let me know how it goes.

[Foxdarla8]

My music stops playing Everytime I leave the app and go onto another ap. How do I keep it playing?!

[TannerPandora]

Hi @Foxdarla8 

Welcome to community!

It sounds like there may be some battery restriction settings enabled on your Android. I've moved your post over to an existing thread around this experience.

Try these steps to see if they help:

When updating the OS on Android devices, the battery optimization on all apps may be automatically turned back on by default. This can cause performance issues or interfere with playback when the app is backgrounded.

Please try the following steps:

• Open your device Settings and then Apps.
• Scroll to find Pandora or use Search in the upper right hand corner.
• Select Battery
• Next select Unrestricted.

Due to the numerous models of Android devices, we are unable to provide step by step instructions for every device. Please look up the steps to manage battery optimization for the specific make and model of your device and disable this for the Pandora app if the above does not apply.

[MartyKara]

Try plugging / charging your phone and playing your music.

I started having the same problem mid-September 2024, when my screen closed within a few minutes, did not matter what app but it was always streaming, would shut down or more likely pause. As soon as I tap on the screen it would start back up playing. This did not happen with the music I have stored on my phone. I've done all the suggestions about battery optimization, I can only keep my screen on for 10 minutes. So today I decided to plug it in put on a streaming radio app and shut that screen down 15 minutes later it was still playing. It has to have constant power now, whereas before we did not. I don't know when or how, possibly an update, that did this. I hate it as do most likely the rest of us. 

[Mojito13]

It's locked screen on my tablet I didn't put a lock on it it looked on the screen as soon as I finished signing into Pandora 

[AdamPandora]

@Mojito13 I'd be happy to help with any questions you have, but I will need additional information to do so.

Can you explain your issue a bit further?

Does the music stop on Pandora when your tablet's screen is locked?

Is this only an issue with Pandora, or do you also experience this issue with other apps that require audio?

The more details you're able to provide, the better equipped I'll be to help.

I look forward to hearing back.

[Mojito13]

Yes the music stopped when screen is locked cannot open screen for anything apps, email,etc 

[AdamPandora]

@Mojito13 I'm still having trouble understanding what is happening.

You mentioned when your screen is locked, you can't open it?

Does this only happen when listening to Pandora?

Or does this happen when you lock your tablet's screen regardless if Pandora is playing or not?

Let me know.