I successfully enabled my app to be able to play audio and video in background after the screen is locked. However, for better user experience I want to show play and pause controls of the running media on the locked screen. After following couple of blogs online, added the following code:
@interface MyControllerClass () <UIGestureRecognizerDelegate, UIApplicationDelegate>
- (void)viewDidAppear:(BOOL)animated {
[super viewDidAppear:animated];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] beginReceivingRemoteControlEvents];
[self becomeFirstResponder];
AVURLAsset *avAsset = [AVURLAsset URLAssetWithURL:url options:nil];
AVPlayerItem *playerItem = [AVPlayerItem playerItemWithAsset:avAsset];
AVAudioSession *session = [AVAudioSession sharedInstance];
[session setCategory:AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback error:nil];
NSError *activationError = nil;
BOOL success = [[AVAudioSession sharedInstance] setActive: YES error: &activationError];
}
- (void)viewWillDisappear:(BOOL)animated {
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] endReceivingRemoteControlEvents];
[self resignFirstResponder];
[super viewWillDisappear:animated];
}
- (BOOL) canBecomeFirstResponder {
return YES;
}
- (void) remoteControlReceivedWithEvent: (UIEvent *) receivedEvent {
NSLog(@"received event %@",receivedEvent);
if (receivedEvent.type == UIEventTypeRemoteControl) {
switch (receivedEvent.subtype) {
case UIEventSubtypeRemoteControlTogglePlayPause: {
if ([self isVideoPlaying]) {
[self.avPlayer pause];
} else {
[self.avPlayer play];
}
break;
}
case UIEventSubtypeRemoteControlPlay: {
[self.avPlayer play];
break;
}
case UIEventSubtypeRemoteControlPause: {
[self.avPlayer pause];
break;
}
default:
break;
}
}
}
Added background modes in info.plist
Even though I am able to see the control screen, no user event is received by my app upon clicking the buttons.
I believe I am missing out on something very obvious. Any pointers would be helpful.
EDIT 1: The accepted answer in iOS - UIEventTypeRemoteControl events not received says that Your app must be the “Now Playing” app. How do I do this?