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Does Spotify call the correct WiFi state when screen is off?

Does Spotify call the correct WiFi state when screen is off?

When syncing playlists for offline listening, I have to leave my phone (a Nexus 4) on, or the downloading becomes ridiculously slow.  Is Spotify selecting the correct function when it's syncing?

 

WORKAROUND:
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Use this widget: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ratcash.wifiperf 



SOLUTION:
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NONE, cause it's not an (android) BUG, that's a FEATURE.



EXPLANATION: 
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WIFI_MODE_FULL_HIGH_PERF is a new function introduced in SDK API Level 2 (Android 3.1+)

If wifi lock is called by "WIFI_MODE_FULL" wifi will only be in "low performance" mode if the Hardware has some Powersaving support (like Galaxy Nexus) and the Android Version is 3.1 or newer. This Powersaving modes are enough for apps that need only few data transfer for some stuff like push notifications (IMAP idle, push notification by messangers etc.). All this works fine for me with the usual Wifi policy.

If an app requires FULL speed for something like streaming etc. it should call the new function "WIFI_MODE_FULL_HIGH_PERF". 

This can be found in the official Android SDK documentation:

http://developer.android.com/reference/android/net/wifi/WifiManager.html#WIFI_MODE_FULL_HIGH_PERF

If you have an issue with an app, you should send a bug report to the dev of the app and make them aware of this new function (just give them the link to the sdk documentation above, they should know what to do then). Until the app is fixed you can use the widget linked above as a workaround, wich does nothing else but calling the WIFI_MODE_FULL_HIGH_PERF
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5 Replies

Hi. This is way over my head although it sounds like you may be onto something 🙂 Can I suggest you use the online contact form to make sure the right folk see this. If you get an automated reply directing you back to the community or to the help pages, make sure to reply to it directly (even though it says not to) to speed things along.

Done.  Thanks for that link!  I tried for quite a while to find that screen, as I've used it before.

So much is cunningly concealed here 🙂 Here's hoping for a new improved android app soon!

The best of both world solution would be for Spotify to be able to call full performance Wi-Fi when streaming or downloading, but go back to the power saving Wi-Fi when playing already downloaded music or sitting idle.  I don't know if an app can switch between states, or only call one or the other when launched.

 

A technician has already replied to my form submission.  Hopefully he can research this and let us know.

The technician kept asking questions that had nothing to do with what I was talking about, then said that Spotify behaves normally and does not download offline playlists well while the screen is off (standby) on purpose.

 

...why would you intentionally want to use a phone's wifi incorrectly?

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