Jellyfin Android: Keep Screen On While Viewing Lyrics

Hey music lovers! Are you facing an issue where your screen turns off while viewing lyrics in the Jellyfin Android app? You're not alone! Let's dive into this problem and explore why it's happening and what the expected behavior should be.

The Pesky Screen Dimming Issue

So, you're jamming to your favorite tunes on the Jellyfin Android app, and you've got the lyrics rolling. Everything's groovy until the screen dims and eventually goes black, locking you out of your lyrical experience. This issue has been observed across multiple devices, including Samsung, Xiaomi, and Moto phones, making it a widespread concern for Jellyfin users.

The root of the problem lies in how the app interacts with your device's screen timeout settings. Even with battery usage set to "Unrestricted" for Jellyfin, the screen still dims and locks after a period of inactivity. This can be super frustrating when you're trying to follow along with the lyrics!

Why This Is Annoying

Imagine you're belting out the chorus, eyes glued to the screen, and suddenly – darkness! Not only does it interrupt your karaoke session, but it also forces you to unlock your phone and navigate back to the lyrics. Plus, if you're like many users who instinctively touch the screen to keep it awake, you might accidentally tap a different part of the lyrics, causing the player to jump to a different time frame. Talk about a buzzkill!

To reiterate the issue: When viewing lyrics in the Jellyfin Android app, the screen should ideally remain on, allowing for an uninterrupted karaoke experience. The current behavior, where the screen dims and locks, detracts from the user experience and needs a fix.

Expected Behavior: Screen Stays On!

What we really want, guys, is for the screen to stay on while we're viewing lyrics. It's a pretty simple expectation, right? When you're engaged with the lyrics, the app should recognize this and prevent the screen from dimming or locking. This would make the whole experience much smoother and more enjoyable.

Think about it: you're at a party, showing off your vocal skills, and the lyrics are right there on the screen, clear as day. No more fumbling with your phone or worrying about the screen going dark at the crucial moment. That's the dream!

The Ideal Scenario

In an ideal world, the Jellyfin app would have a setting to keep the screen on specifically when viewing lyrics. This would give users the flexibility to choose whether they want this feature enabled or not. But for most of us, having the screen stay on while lyrics are displayed is a no-brainer.

Let's paint a picture: You tap "View Lyrics," and the screen stays bright and clear, displaying every word in perfect sync with the music. You can sing along without interruption, and the whole experience feels seamless and immersive. That's the goal we're aiming for!

Digging into the Technical Details

Now, let's get a bit technical. The issue has been reported on devices running various Android versions, including Android 14 and Android 15, and across different phone brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Moto. This suggests that the problem isn't specific to a particular device or Android version but rather lies within the Jellyfin Android app itself.

The user who reported this issue has already confirmed that the battery usage for the Jellyfin app is set to "Unrestricted" in the system settings. This means that the app should have the necessary permissions to prevent the system from putting it to sleep or dimming the screen. Yet, the problem persists.

Application and Server Versions

The reported application version is 2.6.3, and the Jellyfin server version is 10.10.7. This information is crucial for developers to identify if the issue is related to a specific version of the app or server. If you're experiencing this problem, make sure to include your application and server versions when reporting the bug.

The key takeaway here is: The issue seems to be independent of device type and Android version, pointing towards a potential bug within the Jellyfin Android app's screen management logic.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

While we wait for a permanent fix from the Jellyfin developers, there are a few potential workarounds you can try to mitigate the issue. Keep in mind that these are just temporary solutions, and the ideal fix is for the app to handle screen management properly.

1. Keep Tapping the Screen

This is the most obvious workaround, but also the most annoying. By periodically tapping the screen, you can prevent it from dimming and locking. However, as mentioned earlier, this can lead to accidental taps on the lyrics, causing the player to jump to different timeframes.

2. Use a Third-Party App to Keep the Screen On

There are several apps available on the Google Play Store that can keep your screen on for specific applications. These apps usually work by overriding the system's screen timeout settings. While this can be a viable workaround, it's important to choose a reputable app and be mindful of its battery usage.

3. Adjust System Screen Timeout Settings

You can try increasing your device's screen timeout setting in the system settings. This will delay the screen dimming and locking, giving you more time to view lyrics before interruption. However, this will also affect screen timeout for all other apps, so it's not an ideal solution if you prefer a shorter timeout in general.

To summarize the workarounds: While these methods can help, they're not perfect. The best solution is for the Jellyfin app to handle screen management intelligently when viewing lyrics.

Reporting the Bug and Contributing to the Solution

The user who reported this issue has already done a fantastic job of providing detailed information, including device models, Android versions, Jellyfin app and server versions, and steps to reproduce the bug. This kind of information is invaluable to developers trying to diagnose and fix a problem.

If you're experiencing this issue, it's essential to report it on the Jellyfin GitHub repository. When reporting the bug, make sure to include the following information:

• A clear description of the issue
• Steps to reproduce the issue
• Your device model
• Your Android version
• Your Jellyfin app version
• Your Jellyfin server version
• Any relevant logs or screenshots

Remember, the more information you provide, the better the chances of the bug being fixed quickly.

Contributing to the Community

Besides reporting bugs, you can also contribute to the Jellyfin community by participating in discussions, sharing workarounds, and even contributing code if you have the technical skills. Open-source projects like Jellyfin thrive on community contributions, so every little bit helps!

Conclusion: Let's Keep the Music Playing!

The screen dimming issue while viewing lyrics in the Jellyfin Android app is a frustrating problem, but it's one that can be solved. By understanding the issue, exploring potential workarounds, and reporting the bug to the developers, we can help make the Jellyfin experience even better.

Let's hope the Jellyfin team addresses this issue soon so we can all enjoy uninterrupted karaoke sessions. Until then, keep those screens on (one way or another), and keep the music playing! And remember, if you're facing this problem, you're not alone – the Jellyfin community is here to help.

In conclusion, the screen dimming issue in Jellyfin Android while viewing lyrics is a real pain, but with community support and developer attention, we can get it fixed. Keep reporting those bugs, share your workarounds, and let's make Jellyfin the best media server out there!