Pandora Keeps Opening & Running in the Background

[LushMelody]

Firstly, this issue is different than the Spotify issue.

Original subject title: Pandora Media Output Won't Go Away

Also: Is there a way to keep the media player on the Watch 6 from automatically opening when media is played on the phone?

Note: I have Pandora Premium paid account, and have been using Pandora since 2008. Even after the incident with the community mods, I won't switch. I've invested a touch over 15 years to my stations, and 6 years into my playlists. The cost is the same as Spotify.

That said... After closing Pandora, the 'Media Output' bar in the notification pulldown doesn't close unless manually swiped away. After being swiped away/dismissed, Pandora opens back up, on it's own, and the 'Media Output' notification comes right back with the new song (thankfully it doesn't auto play 90% of the time anymore, which was a Pandora issue now said to be resolved).

Different scenarios:

1: Swipe Close Pandora > Swipe Away Output Notification > Stop Pandora 'Active in Background' > Media Output Shows Output Device Name with 'Unknown' over 'Unknown' instead of Artist and Song Title > Swipe Away Unknown Output Notification > Pandora Opens Again Within an Hour.

2: Swipe Closed Pandora > Immediately Stop Pandora from Active in Background > Swipe Away Media Output Notification > Pandora Widget Shows as Still Open but Paused > Media Output Notification Comes Back Within Minutes.

3. Swipe Closed Pandora > Do Nothing > Pandora Continues Running Indefinitely w/ Unchanged Media Output Notification.

Troubleshooting steps taken (Note- the Pandora setting 'Auto Start' is verified off)

• Cleared App Cache
• Cleared App Data
• Restarted Device (Note 20 Ultra 5G)
• Turned Off Media & Devices Notification (still shows when off)
• Put Pandora into 'Sleeping Apps' in Device Care
• Put Pandora into 'Deep Sleeping Apps' in Device Care
• Turn Off Background Use Permission in App Settings
• Uninstalled Pandora > Reinstalled
• Uninstalled Pandora > Smart Switch Backup (& manual backup via both Samsung account and Google, as well as backing up files manually on separate drive/device) > Factory Reset > Smart Switch Restore > Reinstall Pandora
• --- Factory Reset > Samsung Account Restore > Reinstall Pandora
• --- Factory Reset > Google Account Restore > Reinstall Pandora
• --- Factory Reset > Manually Restore Personal Files, Settings, etc., & Manually Reinstalling Apps > Reinstall Pandora

NONE of these resolved the issue, and Pandora keeps opening and media output notification won't go away no matter what I do. Please help, it's killing my brand new Watch 6 battery as the media player is constantly running, because Pandora is always running. I'm not sure if the media output is opening Pandora, creating a vicious cycle, or if Pandora is starting the cycle by opening itself.

Other observations: When I connect a Bluetooth audio device, Pandora opens and starts playing immediately. I've made sure ALL auto play/start settings are turned off. As well as (much less often now) sometimes, after getting home and my phone auto connects to my Wi-Fi, Pandora will start playing. Sometimes I have my media volume all the way down and don't hear it, but this auto play issue has been said to be resolved by Pandora engineers, and it's a very rare occurrence since the latest update, but does still happen. The support article from Pandora's Community site regarding this issue was marked as spam and has been deleted by the mods. The mods continue to delete my posts (which was a copy and paste of this post), so my only recourse for support is through Samsung Community.

Any ideas or troubleshooting steps I missed or overlooked would be greatly appreciated! 

Technical Info:

• Device - Samsung Unlocked Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (branded, not carrier specific)
• Model - SM-N968U1
• Model Code - SM-N968UZKATMB
• One UI Version - 5.1
• Android Version - 13
• Build Number - TP1A.220624.014.N968U1UES5HWJ4
• Carrier - T-Mobile
• Pandora Version - 2310.1
• •App Last Updated - October 16th 2023

If further information is needed, I'm happy to provide it.

[ILoveGabcom]

Can you unpair your watch(es) from your phone for a few hours and see if the phone still opens pandora, even though it's in deep sleep mode?

[LushMelody]

That's the same thing as powering the watch off does the same thing, without the need to accept unpaid returns. My watch was complete powered off. 

Again, this problem was, and is, occuring since before I purchased the new watch. I have been experiencing this issue for over a year now.

[SoeurSage]

I don't have a watch and have the SAME problem, almost same device (Note 20+). So frustrating.

[LushMelody]

Looks like Pandora has updated their stuff, at least. Since the last update, when I close the app, it closes and doesn't show up in the "Active in Background" anymore. But, unfortunately. the watch problem is still there. 😩 One step at a time though, right? 💪

[TC6]

Same issue on my Galaxy S21.  Tried all your ideas as well as replies to your thread. Posted the same weeks ago on Pandora Community with no feedback!  Weak!!

[LushMelody]

Ya, I'm really upset with the lack of support from Pandora. If I could switch to Spotify, I would... But I have almost 20 years of effort built into a lot of my stations.

[Skuhsme]

I'm having the same issue with my S22+ and have also completed the same TS steps. At least I don't have a watch to deal with too

[LushMelody · Accepted solution]

New thread for Watch 6 specific media player issue.

Pandora seems to have resolved the app constantly opening with the latest update. However, this hasn't fixed the issue with my Galaxy Watch 6.