No timer sound when phone is in vibrate/silent mode

[mtnbnz]

Checklist

• I can reproduce the bug with the latest version given here.
• I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• I made sure that there are no existing discussions - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• I have read the FAQs inside the app (Menu -> About -> FAQs) and my problem isn't listed.
• I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the bug report will be dismissed otherwise.
• This issue contains only one bug.
• I have read and understood the contribution guidelines.

Affected app version

1.3.0

Affected Android/Custom ROM version

Android 15 / Xiaomi HyperOS 2.0.202.0

Affected device model

Poco F7 Pro

How did you install the app?

F-Droid / IzzyOnDroid

Steps to reproduce the bug

1. Set phone to vibrate/silent mode
2. Tap the "Create timer" (+) button
3. Set a timer for 30 seconds and make sure a timer sound is selected
4. Start the timer
5. Send the app to the background (go to home screen) and turn off screen
6. Wait for the timer to fire

Expected behavior

I expect the selected timer sound to be played even if my phone is in vibrate/silent mode.

Actual behavior

A "Timer expired" notification is displayed and, if configured for the timer, the phone vibrates but no sound is played.

Screenshots/Screen recordings

No response

Additional information

I think this is due to the way timers currently work in the app (I haven't looked at the code yet so I'm just guessing from what I can see in the app): Creating a local notification with the specified sound when the timer is up. However, notification sounds will not be played if the phone is in vibrate/silent mode.

[mtnbnz]

This might be of interest: https://github.com/surendar4/Critical-Alerts-Android-Demo/blob/1ffc50351225591d9a7c3980ccaf4a5f7246344f/app/src/main/java/com/surendar4/criticalnotifications/notifications/NotificationNotifier.kt#L62

It uses AudioManager to disable silent/vibrate mode just before showing the notification and then switches back to the original "ringer mode" after the notification sound is done playing.

[mtnbnz]

Ignore my previous comment.
It seems this line is actually the problem:

Clock/app/src/main/kotlin/org/fossify/clock/extensions/Context.kt

Line 470 in 3c1ff89

.setCategory(Notification.CATEGORY_EVENT)

Changing it to .setCategory(Notification.CATEGORY_ALARM) fixes the issue.

[CosmicBagel]

On a Pixel 7a, android 16, clock ver 1.3.0. Installed with F-Droid.

Timers never seem to go off unless I leave the phone unlocked and the clock app open. Do not disturb seems to kill the vibration as well.

[Aga-C]

@CosmicBagel Do you have a custom ROM, or have you modified something in your OS (related to notifications or battery optimization)?

[mtnbnz]

Ignore my previous comment. It seems this line is actually the problem:

Clock/app/src/main/kotlin/org/fossify/clock/extensions/Context.kt

Line 470 in 3c1ff89
.setCategory(Notification.CATEGORY_EVENT)

Changing it to .setCategory(Notification.CATEGORY_ALARM) fixes the issue.

Nevermind. This only works on my emulator, not on my actual device. I think the only real solution is to use a foreground service and have it use MediaPlayer to play the timer sound just like it is done for alarms.

[naveensingh]

It does use a foreground service, but yes, it still relies on the notification for playing sounds.

I think the only real solution is to use a foreground service and have it use MediaPlayer to play the timer sound just like it is done for alarms.

Issues like #40 and #156 also require that change. I'll be working on it.

[CosmicBagel]

@CosmicBagel Do you have a custom ROM, or have you modified something in your OS (related to notifications or battery optimization)?

Vanilla google rom: what ever it came with in the box + updates from google.

I have do not disturb mode on (fossify clock is added as an exception aka "Apps that can interrupt")
I also usually run with battery saver "Extreme" on (fossify clock is added as an "essential app")

Built-in google clock works fine with similar configuration. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[kmantel]

may be related to https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/384844015

as a temporary workaround, I rebuilt replacing STREAM_ALARM with STREAM_MUSIC, because I usually have that on. another stream might be more reliable

[nlorc]

I've ran into an issue that might be related.

1. Set timer to 5 minutes
2. Send app to background
3. Turn off screen
4. Timer doesn't go off at the expected time
5. When i turn on the screen again, the timer sound is played and the notification says time is over as if it just went off

This happens even if the device isn't set to silent/do not disturb/vibrate only.

Device: OnePlus Nord with OxygenOS 12.1 (Android 12)
Version: 1.3.1 from F-Droid

[th23x]

I have made the same observation - and figured out no way to adjust with Clock or Android settings.

I use a Samsung S10e with the latest stock Android, no custom one. Android 12 / Samsung One UI 4.1