[Bug]: iOS app using a local file doesn't sync properly with web player #2650

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opened 2026-02-20 10:21:26 -05:00 by deekerman · 1 comment

deekerman commented

2026-02-20 10:21:26 -05:00

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Originally created by @EloquenceWinters on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025).

What happened?

When switching back and forth between iOS app playing a file that is locally downloaded to the iOS device and the Web Player (which is running on the same PC as the ABS server), the book does not sync properly. It seems to sync progress from iOS to Web Player, but going from Web Player to iOS will often (always?) result in either the book starting from an earlier point or from the beginning of the book, despite the iOS app being able to connect to the ABS server.

The "Your Progress" indicator in the iOS app does not accurately reflect the progress indicated in the Web Player and, for the times when it restarts at the beginning of the book, it doesn't even accurately reflect where the iOS app is going to restart playback.

What did you expect to happen?

I expect the iOS app to resume playback where the Web Player left off (as long as the iOS app can connect to the ABS server to retrieve that data, obviously).

Steps to reproduce the issue

Download a book to iOS app.
Listen to the book for a while (or move forward manually or via bookmark).
Stop the playback in the iOS app (closing the app or not doesn't seem to matter).
Start listening to the same book using the same login in the Web App.
After some progress is made, stop the playback in the Web App.
Open the iOS app, verify that it is connected to the ABS server, and select the same book to play.
The playback will either begin again at the start of the book, or will begin where the iOS app left off. Which of these it does doesn't appear to be consistent, as far as I've found.

I'm not sure whether you have to start listening in iOS for the problem to manifest (steps 1-3, above). I haven't recognized a specific pattern beyond switching back and forth between playback devices and the fact that it seems to only occur with items I have downloaded to my phone.

Audiobookshelf version

v2.19.5

How are you running audiobookshelf?

Windows Tray App

What OS is your Audiobookshelf server hosted from?

Windows

If the issue is being seen in the UI, what browsers are you seeing the problem on?

None

Logs

Additional Notes

I don't have my system set up to allow connections to ABS from outside my LAN, so everything documented here is happening via my local WiFi. I'm not expecting proper syncing when the iOS app can't connect to the ABS server to retrieve the listening data.

Originally created by @EloquenceWinters on GitHub (Mar 11, 2025). ### What happened? When switching back and forth between iOS app playing a file that is locally downloaded to the iOS device and the Web Player (which is running on the same PC as the ABS server), the book does not sync properly. It seems to sync progress from iOS to Web Player, but going from Web Player to iOS will often (always?) result in either the book starting from an earlier point or from the beginning of the book, despite the iOS app being able to connect to the ABS server. The "Your Progress" indicator in the iOS app does not accurately reflect the progress indicated in the Web Player and, for the times when it restarts at the beginning of the book, it doesn't even accurately reflect where the iOS app is going to restart playback. ### What did you expect to happen? I expect the iOS app to resume playback where the Web Player left off (as long as the iOS app can connect to the ABS server to retrieve that data, obviously). ### Steps to reproduce the issue 1. Download a book to iOS app. 2. Listen to the book for a while (or move forward manually or via bookmark). 3. Stop the playback in the iOS app (closing the app or not doesn't seem to matter). 4. Start listening to the same book using the same login in the Web App. 5. After some progress is made, stop the playback in the Web App. 6. Open the iOS app, verify that it is connected to the ABS server, and select the same book to play. 7. The playback will either begin again at the start of the book, or will begin where the iOS app left off. Which of these it does doesn't appear to be consistent, as far as I've found. I'm not sure whether you have to start listening in iOS for the problem to manifest (steps 1-3, above). I haven't recognized a specific pattern beyond switching back and forth between playback devices and the fact that it seems to only occur with items I have downloaded to my phone. ### Audiobookshelf version v2.19.5 ### How are you running audiobookshelf? Windows Tray App ### What OS is your Audiobookshelf server hosted from? Windows ### If the issue is being seen in the UI, what browsers are you seeing the problem on? None ### Logs ```shell ``` ### Additional Notes I don't have my system set up to allow connections to ABS from outside my LAN, so everything documented here is happening via my local WiFi. I'm not expecting proper syncing when the iOS app can't connect to the ABS server to retrieve the listening data.