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Audio Playback

Play audio files

The Seaty mobile app provides professional-grade audio playback with native lock screen controls, background playback, and seamless integration with iOS and Android.

At its simplest, audio playback answers one question: How do I play and control audio files during rehearsals and events?

Who uses this: Event organisers, theatre directors, music teachers, and production staff who need reliable audio playback with precise control.

Key capabilities:

  • Play audio files directly from Downloads or Dropbox
  • Control playback from your lock screen without unlocking your phone
  • Continue listening while using other apps
  • Create bookmarks (pins) at specific positions for quick navigation
  • Automatic position memory - resume exactly where you left off

How It Works

At a glance: Open an audio file, tap play, and control playback from anywhere on your device - the app handles everything else automatically.

1. Opening Audio Files

Navigate to any audio file in your Downloads or Dropbox folders and tap to open. The file preview shows playback controls, position information, and any bookmarks you've created.

2. Controlling Playback

Use the play/pause button, position slider, and skip controls to navigate through your audio. These same controls appear on your lock screen and notification area automatically.

3. Background Listening

When you switch apps or lock your phone, audio continues playing. Phone calls pause playback automatically and resume when you hang up.

4. Position Memory

The app remembers where you stopped in each file. Return days later and playback resumes from exactly the same position.

Think of it this way:

  • File playback is like a smart music player that remembers your place in every file
  • Lock screen controls let you manage playback without unlocking your phone
  • Background mode keeps audio playing while you do other things
  • Pins are bookmarks that let you jump to important moments instantly

Playing Audio Files

From your Downloads or Dropbox file browser:

  1. Navigate to your audio file (MP3, M4A, WAV, and other formats)
  2. Tap the file to open the preview screen
  3. Tap the play button to start playback
  4. Lock screen controls appear automatically

What you'll see:

  • File information and album artwork (if embedded in the file)
  • Large play/pause button
  • Position slider showing current time and total duration
  • Skip backward and forward buttons
  • Any pins you've created for this file

Note: If the file has ID3 metadata (title, artist, album artwork), this information appears in the controls and on your lock screen.

Playback Controls

Play/Pause Button

  • Large circular button in the centre of the controls
  • Tap to toggle between playing and paused
  • State syncs automatically with lock screen and notification controls

Position Slider

  • Shows current position and total duration
  • Drag the slider thumb to jump to any position
  • Tap anywhere on the bar to jump directly to that point
  • Position updates smoothly during playback

Skip Controls

  • Skip backward 10 seconds (left arrow)
  • Skip forward 10 seconds (right arrow)
  • Useful for reviewing sections or finding specific moments

Additional Controls

  • Restart from the beginning
  • Create a pin at the current position
  • Share the audio file
  • Download (when viewing from Dropbox)

Lock Screen Integration

When audio plays, your lock screen displays playback controls automatically.

On iOS:

  • Album artwork (from file metadata or a default icon)
  • Track title and artist
  • Play/pause, skip forward, and skip backward buttons
  • Position slider
  • All controls work without unlocking your phone

On Android:

  • Similar controls in the notification shade
  • Media notification stays visible while playing
  • Tap the notification to return to the app

With Headphones and Speakers:

  • Play/pause with your headphone button
  • Skip tracks using double-tap gestures (if supported)
  • Album artwork displays on compatible Bluetooth devices

Background Playback

Audio continues playing when you:

  • Lock your phone screen
  • Switch to other apps
  • Take photos or videos
  • Use navigation or messaging apps

Automatic Interruption Handling:

  • Phone calls: Audio pauses when a call starts and resumes automatically when the call ends
  • Other audio apps: If another app plays audio, you'll need to manually resume Seaty playback
  • Alarms and timers: Audio pauses for alarms; resume manually after dismissing

Note: Background playback is battery-efficient and won't drain your device faster than normal music apps.

Continuous Playback

When one audio file finishes, the next file in the folder plays automatically.

How it works:

  1. Current track finishes playing
  2. Brief pause (half a second)
  3. Next audio file in the folder starts automatically
  4. Continues until the last file or you stop manually

Behaviour details:

  • Files play in sort order (with smart numeric sorting: Track 1, Track 2, Track 10)
  • Non-audio files are skipped automatically
  • Only downloaded files play when offline
  • You can disable continuous playback in the player settings

Manual Navigation:

  • Skip to next or previous track using the controls
  • Tap any file in the folder to jump to it
  • Continuous playback continues from your new position

Position Memory

The app automatically saves your position in every audio file.

Automatic saving:

  • Position saves continuously while playing
  • Works independently for each file
  • Persists across app restarts and device restarts
  • No manual saving required

When you return to a file:

  • Last position restores automatically
  • Position shows in the slider before you press play
  • Use the restart button if you want to start from the beginning

Position persists across:

  • Closing and reopening the app
  • Restarting your device
  • Days or weeks between plays
  • Only clears when you delete the file

Metadata Display

Audio files with embedded metadata (ID3 tags) display:

  • Track title
  • Artist name
  • Album name
  • Album artwork/cover art

Where metadata appears:

  • File preview header
  • Playback controls
  • Lock screen controls
  • Notification centre

If metadata is missing:

  • Filename shows as the title
  • "Seaty" shows as the artist
  • A generic music icon replaces artwork

Supported Audio Formats

All features work with these formats:

  • MP3: Most common format, excellent compatibility
  • M4A: Apple audio format, high quality
  • AAC: Compressed format, good quality/size balance
  • WAV: Uncompressed, large files, perfect quality
  • FLAC: Lossless compression, high quality
  • OGG: Open format, good compression
  • AIFF: Apple uncompressed format

Note: MP3, M4A, and FLAC files typically include metadata (title, artist, artwork). WAV and AIFF files usually don't.

Folder-Based Playlists

The current folder acts as your playlist:

  • All audio files in the folder are queued automatically
  • Files sort using smart numeric ordering (Track 1, Track 2, Track 10 - not Track 1, Track 10, Track 2)
  • Queue updates when you navigate to a different folder
  • Only downloaded files are available when offline

Visual queue:

  • The file list shows your current playlist
  • Currently playing file is highlighted
  • Tap any file to skip directly to it

Use Cases

Theatre Rehearsals

  • Play background music during scene work
  • Pin important dialogue cues for quick access
  • Control playback from the lighting booth using lock screen controls

Music Rehearsals

  • Play reference recordings for choir or band
  • Skip between sections quickly using pins
  • Background playback during sectional practice

Dance Rehearsals

  • Choreography music with reliable playback
  • Pins marking routine section changes
  • Quick position jumping for reteaching steps

Backing Tracks

  • Reliable playback during performances
  • Precise position control
  • Emergency pause from the lock screen

Creating Pins

Pins are bookmarks that let you jump to specific moments in an audio file.

  • Tap the pin button in the controls to create a pin at the current position
  • Name pins for easy identification
  • Tap any pin to jump instantly to that position
  • See Pins & Bookmarks for full details

Sharing Audio

Share downloaded audio files from the preview screen:

  • Tap the share button
  • Choose from AirDrop, Messages, Email, or other apps
  • Recipients can play the file in their preferred app

Common Questions

Playback Issues

Audio won't play - what should I check?

First verify the file is downloaded (look for a checkmark, not a cloud icon). Check that your device isn't in silent mode (the Ring/Silent switch on iPhone). Try force closing and reopening the app.

Lock screen controls aren't appearing

Start playback first - controls appear after you tap play. Check that Seaty has notification permissions in your device settings. Try locking and unlocking your screen.

Audio stops when I switch apps

Check the app wasn't force closed. On Android, verify battery optimisation isn't restricting Seaty. Reduce the number of open apps if your device has limited memory.

Position and Memory

My position isn't being saved

Ensure the file is downloaded locally (not streaming from the cloud). Play the file for at least 5 seconds. Check you have sufficient device storage for the app data.

Can I clear my saved position?

Use the restart button to play from the beginning. The saved position will update once you start playing from a new position.

Continuous Playback

How do I stop automatic playback between tracks?

You can disable continuous playback in the player settings, or simply pause playback before the current track ends.

Why are some files being skipped?

Files that aren't downloaded locally are skipped when playing offline. Non-audio files are also skipped automatically.

Need help? Contact support@seaty.co.uk