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Nimaz includes a comprehensive audio system for playing Adhan (call to prayer) and Quran recitations using Android’s Media3 (ExoPlayer) library.

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Audio services

The app uses two foreground services for audio playback:
  1. AdhanPlaybackService - Plays Adhan at prayer times
  2. QuranAudioService - Streams or plays downloaded Quran recitations
Both services use Media3 with MediaSession for:
  • Notification controls (play, pause, stop)
  • Background playback
  • Audio focus management
  • Lock screen controls

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AdhanPlaybackService

Foreground service that plays Adhan sounds when prayer notifications trigger. Source: data/audio/AdhanPlaybackService.kt

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Features

  • Automatic playback when prayer time arrives
  • Volume management (uses alarm stream for reliability)
  • Wake lock to ensure playback completes
  • Notification controls to stop adhan
  • Vibration pattern during playback
  • Audio focus handling (pauses other audio)

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Starting adhan playback

companion object {
    fun playAdhan(
        context: Context,
        adhanSound: AdhanSound,
        prayerName: String
    ) {
        val intent = Intent(context, AdhanPlaybackService::class.java).apply {
            action = ACTION_PLAY_ADHAN
            putExtra(EXTRA_ADHAN_SOUND, adhanSound.name)
            putExtra(EXTRA_PRAYER_NAME, prayerName)
        }
        context.startForegroundService(intent)
    }

    fun stopAdhan(context: Context) {
        val intent = Intent(context, AdhanPlaybackService::class.java).apply {
            action = ACTION_STOP_ADHAN
        }
        context.startService(intent)
    }
}

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Adhan sounds

Four adhan sound options: 
enum class AdhanSound(val fileName: String, val displayName: String) {
    MISHARY("mishary.mp3", "Mishary Alafasy"),
    ABDUL_BASIT("abdul_basit.mp3", "Abdul Basit"),
    MAKKAH("makkah.mp3", "Makkah"),
    SIMPLE_BEEP("simple.mp3", "Simple Beep")
}
Source: data/audio/AdhanSound.kt

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Service lifecycle

1

Service started

When prayer time arrives, BootReceiver starts AdhanPlaybackService with the configured adhan sound.
2

Foreground notification

Service displays a notification with prayer name and stop button.
3

ExoPlayer initialization

Media3 ExoPlayer is configured with the adhan audio file.
4

Playback starts

Adhan plays with full volume on the alarm audio stream.
5

Completion or stop

Service stops itself when playback completes or user taps stop button.

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Notification controls

The foreground notification includes:
  • Prayer name and time
  • Stop button (PendingIntent)
  • Tap to open app action
private fun createNotification(prayerName: String): Notification {
    return NotificationCompat.Builder(this, CHANNEL_ID)
        .setContentTitle("Adhan for $prayerName")
        .setContentText("Playing adhan...")
        .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_prayer)
        .addAction(
            R.drawable.ic_stop,
            "Stop",
            stopPendingIntent
        )
        .setOngoing(true)
        .build()
}

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AdhanDownloadService

Foreground service for downloading adhan audio files. Source: data/audio/AdhanDownloadService.kt

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Features

  • Background downloads with progress notification
  • Storage management in app-specific directory
  • Download verification (checks file size and integrity)
  • Automatic default download on first app launch

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Starting a download

companion object {
    fun downloadAdhan(
        context: Context,
        adhanSound: AdhanSound
    ) {
        val intent = Intent(context, AdhanDownloadService::class.java).apply {
            action = ACTION_DOWNLOAD
            putExtra(EXTRA_ADHAN_SOUND, adhanSound.name)
        }
        context.startForegroundService(intent)
    }

    fun downloadDefault(context: Context) {
        downloadAdhan(context, AdhanSound.MISHARY)
    }
}

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Default download on first launch

In NimazApp.onCreate(): 
private fun downloadDefaultAdhanIfNeeded() {
    CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO + SupervisorJob()).launch {
        try {
            val defaultSound = AdhanSound.MISHARY
            if (!adhanAudioManager.isFullyDownloaded(defaultSound)) {
                AdhanDownloadService.downloadDefault(this@NimazApp)
            }
        } catch (e: Exception) {
            e.printStackTrace()
        }
    }
}
Source: NimazApp.kt:98-111

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AdhanAudioManager

Manages adhan file storage and verification. Source: data/audio/AdhanAudioManager.kt

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Methods

class AdhanAudioManager @Inject constructor(
    @ApplicationContext private val context: Context
) {
    fun getAdhanFile(sound: AdhanSound): File
    fun isFullyDownloaded(sound: AdhanSound): Boolean
    fun deleteAdhan(sound: AdhanSound): Boolean
    fun getDownloadedSounds(): List<AdhanSound>
}

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Storage location

Adhan files are stored in: 
/data/data/com.arshadshah.nimaz/files/adhan/
├── mishary.mp3
├── abdul_basit.mp3
├── makkah.mp3
└── simple.mp3

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QuranAudioService

Foreground service for Quran recitation playback. Source: data/audio/QuranAudioService.kt

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Features

  • Streaming audio from online sources
  • Local playback for downloaded recitations
  • Surah or ayah range playback
  • Playback controls (play, pause, seek, next, previous)
  • Repeat modes (single ayah, surah, all)
  • Playback speed adjustment
  • Media session integration for lock screen and notification controls

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Starting Quran playback

companion object {
    fun playSurah(
        context: Context,
        surahNumber: Int,
        reciterId: String = "ar.abdurrahmanalsudais"
    ) {
        val intent = Intent(context, QuranAudioService::class.java).apply {
            action = ACTION_PLAY_SURAH
            putExtra(EXTRA_SURAH_NUMBER, surahNumber)
            putExtra(EXTRA_RECITER_ID, reciterId)
        }
        context.startForegroundService(intent)
    }

    fun playAyahRange(
        context: Context,
        surahNumber: Int,
        fromAyah: Int,
        toAyah: Int,
        reciterId: String = "ar.abdurrahmanalsudais"
    ) {
        val intent = Intent(context, QuranAudioService::class.java).apply {
            action = ACTION_PLAY_AYAH_RANGE
            putExtra(EXTRA_SURAH_NUMBER, surahNumber)
            putExtra(EXTRA_FROM_AYAH, fromAyah)
            putExtra(EXTRA_TO_AYAH, toAyah)
            putExtra(EXTRA_RECITER_ID, reciterId)
        }
        context.startForegroundService(intent)
    }

    fun pause(context: Context)
    fun resume(context: Context)
    fun stop(context: Context)
}

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Available reciters

Quran audio sources from EveryAyah.com:
  • Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais (ar.abdurrahmanalsudais)
  • Mishary Rashid Alafasy (ar.misharyalafasy)
  • Abdul Basit (ar.abdulbasitmurattal)
  • And more…

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Media session controls

The service exposes standard media controls:
  • Play/Pause
  • Skip to next ayah
  • Skip to previous ayah
  • Seek within ayah
  • Stop playback
These controls appear in:
  • Notification
  • Lock screen
  • Android Auto
  • Wear OS

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Audio focus management

Both services request audio focus to ensure:
  • Only one audio stream plays at a time
  • Other apps pause when adhan/Quran plays
  • Playback resumes after interruptions (like phone calls)
private fun requestAudioFocus(): Boolean {
    val audioManager = getSystemService(Context.AUDIO_SERVICE) as AudioManager
    val result = audioManager.requestAudioFocus(
        audioFocusChangeListener,
        AudioManager.STREAM_MUSIC,
        AudioManager.AUDIOFOCUS_GAIN
    )
    return result == AudioManager.AUDIOFOCUS_REQUEST_GRANTED
}

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Dependencies

Audio playback uses Media3 (ExoPlayer): 
implementation("androidx.media3:media3-exoplayer:1.9.0")
implementation("androidx.media3:media3-ui:1.9.0")
implementation("androidx.media3:media3-session:1.9.0")
Source: app/build.gradle.kts:108-111

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Best practices

Android requires foreground services for background audio playback. Both services display persistent notifications.
Ensures your audio doesn’t conflict with other apps and system sounds.
Implement audio focus change listeners to pause/resume on phone calls or notifications.
Adhan playback uses PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK to ensure audio plays even if screen is off.
Release ExoPlayer, media session, and wake locks in service onDestroy().

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