Bug Report: Gemini App TTS “Read Aloud” cannot continue playback in the background (MIUI 14 / Android 12)
Body:
Platform: Android
Device: Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
OS: MIUI Global 14.0.1 (Android 12)
Gemini App Version: 1.0.882555348
Google App Version: 17.12.51.ve.arm64
Issue Description:
The “Read Aloud” (speaker icon) feature in the Gemini app cannot continue playback in the background. When the app is moved to the background or the screen is locked, the audio terminates immediately. This issue persists even when all system-level battery and memory restrictions are disabled. In contrast, other AI apps like ChatGPT can maintain background playback without interruption.
Troubleshooting & Evidence:
I have configured all possible “keep-alive” settings on my device to rule out system interference. I have provided screenshots showing my system configuration and app permissions in the following Google Drive folder:
Screenshots for Gemini TTS Bug Report - Google Drive
The screenshots in the folder confirm the following settings:
Battery Optimization: “No Restrictions” has been applied to Gemini, the Google App, and Google Assistant.
Process Persistence: The Gemini app is locked/pinned in the Recents (multi-tasking) view to prevent it from being cleared by the system.
Notifications: All notification permissions, including Permanent/Allow-listed notifications, are fully granted.
Background Permissions: “Display pop-up windows while running in the background” and all other necessary system permissions are enabled.
Technical Observation:
It appears that the Gemini TTS feature does not register a proper MediaSession or utilize a Foreground Service for its “Read Aloud” function. As a result, the Android OS treats the audio as a transient UI feedback sound rather than a media stream, leading to the immediate suspension of playback when the activity is no longer in the foreground.
Request:
Could the development team please implement a Foreground Service or a standard MediaSession for the Read Aloud feature? This would allow the app to continue playback in the background, which is essential for listening to long responses while multitasking.