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Audio stops when screen shuts off

I just updated to iOS 15 today and every time I shut my phone off the music stops. Or really I can’t hear the music playing but the song is still playing. Only with my screen off. If I let the screen shut off by itself audio stops. I tried restarting it and force quitting the app

Posted on Sep 23, 2021 2:05 PM

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Posted on Nov 15, 2021 6:37 AM

Same issue started with iOS 15. Happens with NPR app, Podcast app. Using airpods. Super frustrating. I should be able to listen to a podcast or radio with a locked screen so that when my phone is in my pocket I don’t accidentally click something.

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36 replies

Sep 24, 2021 4:42 PM in response to WillMoor

Hello WillMoor,


Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. We've reviewed your question and it looks like you are unable to play audio while your iPhone is locked. It's understandable that you'd want this resolved, so allow us to assist with that. Is this happening with the Music app, or another app? Does this happen with multiple apps? Have you tried deleting the app and reinstalling it? See this article to delete apps on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.


If you have follow-up questions, please let us know. We're here for you. Have a fantastic day!

Nov 22, 2021 9:08 PM in response to SeanToohey

Hey! I am having the exact same issue, today I decided to listen HiRes tracks in apple music with my VModa headphones via the 3.5 to lightning adapter and whenever the screen goes off the music stops, this is really annoying, I am using an iPhone 13 Pro Max and the latest version of iOS 15.1.1.


The weird part is that it happens with some specific tracks/albums i.e when listening to Pink Floyd's The Division Bell the music goes off but when listening Legend from Bob Marley all good...

Jan 10, 2022 10:19 AM in response to WillMoor

I recently purchased an iPhone 13 pro and I am having this same issue. I am using a totally different app to listen to audio talks and the audio stops when the phone locks. How is this being fixed? It sounds it is an issue with the system and not the specific apps (since it is happening with lots of different apps listed on these responses).

Jan 20, 2022 6:53 AM in response to WillMoor

This is no longer an issue for me, so not sure what exactly did it but I had read to turn off the auto Lock Screen function as one solution. The other was to delete and reinstall the Music app. I could find the post about the second, but not the first - here it is:


“Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! We understand that if you lock the screen on your iPhone music will stop playing. We know it's important to be able to listen to music with a locked screen; we'd like to help. If this is affecting the Music app, take a look at these steps first:



If the behavior continues, we'd also suggest removing and redownloading the Music app to your device. Please keep in mind that this will remove any content you've downloaded and will need to be downloaded again:


"Delete a built-in app from your device

    1. On your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold the app.
    2. Tap Rearrange Apps.
    3. Tap  in the upper-left corner to delete the app.
    4. Tap Delete. Then on an iPhone X or later, tap Done. Or on an iPhone 8 or earlier, press the Home button.

If you have an Apple Watch, deleting an app from your iPhone also deletes that app from your Apple Watch.


Restore a built-in app that you deleted

    1. On your iOS or iPadOS device, go to the App Store.
    2. Search for the app. Make sure that you use the exact name of the app. Find the correct name of built-in apps.
    3. Tap  to restore the app.
    4. Wait for the app to restore, then open it from your Home screen.

If you have an Apple Watch, restoring an app to your iPhone also restores that app to your Apple Watch."


Delete built-in Apple apps on your iOS 12, iOS 13, or iPadOS device or Apple Watch


If the behavior doesn't occur with the Music app, but other apps are affected, please let us know which apps you have trouble with. “

Audio stops when screen shuts off

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