After a while of playback in the background, Arc often pauses. If I then unlock my phone and navigate back to Arc, it will start playing again, but I have to kill the app and restart it to get playback to work properly again. I've noticed that the Arc persistent notification is not displayed when the problem occurs, and then reappears once I kill and restart the app.
I'm using the most recent Android version on the Google Pixel 6a (April update with build number BP1A.250405.007). Battery optimization is set to "Unrestricted" for Arc.
Describe your network setup
TP-Link Deco X50 AX3000 mesh network. Problem occurs on cellular connection as well.
Thank you for reaching out to Roon Support — we’re happy to see you in our community!
The issue could be related to the Android software update and aggressive battery optimization. Please go through the following guide and let us know if it’s helps.
1. Battery Optimization
Android battery management may kill background apps or restrict network access:
Go to Settings > Apps > Roon ARC > Battery
Set to “Unrestricted” (not “Optimized” or “Restricted”)
2. App Permissions
Make sure ARC has all the necessary permissions:
Settings > Apps > Roon ARC > Permissions
Allow Local Network, Storage, and Location if prompted (sometimes required for local discovery)
3. Data Usage / Network Access
Settings > Apps > Roon ARC > Mobile Data & Wi-Fi
Ensure “Allow background data usage” and “Allow data usage while Data saver is on” are enabled
4. App Hibernation
Pixel phones may hibernate unused apps to free up resources:
Go to:Settings > Apps > Roon ARC
→ Make sure “Remove permissions and free up space” is turned off
By “Storage”, I’m guessing you mean “Music and audio” and “Photos and videos”? I’ve now enabled those permissions (although it’s not clear why Arc should need them). Nearby devices and Notifications were already enabled.
I’ve enabled both (background usage was already enabled) for now, but it’d be pretty concerning if Arc needs the latter for normal operation.
This setting is actually called “Manage app if unused”. I’ve disabled it.
@vadim I’ve only been testing this afternoon, but I haven’t run into any background pauses as of yet. However, the persistent notification does still keep disappearing after a while (especially if playback is paused) and then going into Arc and starting playback does not cause it to reappear. I still have to kill and restart the app to get it back.
The issue with notifications on Pixel devices is currently under investigation by our R&D team. I’ll make sure to include your report in the ongoing case as well.
We’ll escalate that question as well for a more precise answer, but we’ve responded briefly in the other discussion in Roon Software Discussion for now. Please stand by.
We had a chance to discuss your case with the team and they have mentioned that this issue could be related to ARC using the remaining limited memory for your phone. Android will terminate background processes that appear to exceed the device’s memory budget, so the first thing we need to understand is the overall load on the system when Roon ARC is pushed to the background.
Could you please let us know:
How many other apps are typically running at the same time you see ARC getting closed? (A rough count is fine.)
Whether the problem still occurs when ARC is the only app open (i.e., after force‑quitting all others or restarting the phone and launching only ARC).
Any accessibility services or system‑wide tools you have enabled—screen readers, overlay apps, automation utilities such as Bixby Routines/Tasker, battery‑saver or “adaptive” modes, etc.
This made me think of something: what happens if I enable the “Don’t keep activities” option in developer settings? Interestingly, if I open Arc, start playback and then switch to a different app, Arc playback stops and its notification disappears. This is definitely not correct behaviour for a music app on Android (you can try doing the same thing with something like Tidal and playback continues when switching apps). Android should be able to reclaim memory from Arc’s backstack without affecting playback: the only thing that should kill playback is the process itself being force stopped (by Android or the user). I’d imagine this will point to the root of the issue.
As I’ve stated above, you can reproduce with just a single other app open (using “Don’t keep activities”), but I’d guess that having more apps open (and not returning to Arc) will make this issue more likely in the wild as it increases the chances that Arc’s Activity objects will be destroyed to reclaim memory.
I’ve not been able to reproduce with Arc as the only open app.
I’ve not got anything like that running as far as I’m aware.
Thanks for sharing that information. I’ve forwarded it to the team for discussion and we will get back to you once we have next steps ready, thanks in advance for your patience!