Listening to Napster in the Background on Android
Napster supports background audio playback on Android, so your music keeps playing even when you switch to another app, lock your screen, or turn off the display.
How Background Playback Works
Once you start playing a track in Napster, the audio continues automatically when you:
- Press the home button to go to another app
- Lock your screen
- Switch between other apps
Controlling Playback from the Notification Bar
While Napster is playing in the background, a persistent notification appears in your notification bar. From there you can:
- Play / Pause the current track
- Skip forward to the next track
- Skip back to the previous track
- See the current song title and artist
Controlling Playback from the Lock Screen
Android also shows media controls on the lock screen when Napster is playing. You can play, pause, and skip tracks without unlocking your phone.
Troubleshooting Background Playback
If music stops when you switch apps or lock your screen:
- Check Battery Optimization: Go to Settings > Apps > Napster > Battery and select Unrestricted or Don't optimize. Battery optimization can kill background apps.
- Check Background App Refresh: Ensure Napster is allowed to run in the background in your device settings.
- Restart the app: Close and reopen Napster, then start playback again.
Offline Playback
Background playback requires an active internet connection unless you have downloaded tracks for offline listening (available on select plans).