Troubleshooting and FAQ
Answers to the questions people ask most about RetroBeat.
My library is empty
On Android, RetroBeat needs permission to read your music. If the library says We need permission to read the music on your device., tap Grant access. If it says music access is turned off, tap Open Settings and allow Music and audio for RetroBeat.
If permission is granted and the library says No music found on your device., check that your songs are on the phone itself (not only in a streaming app), then open Settings and tap Rescan library.
On Linux, add a folder: Settings > Folders > Add folder.
Some songs are missing
- Songs shorter than 30 seconds are hidden. Turn off Hide short audio in Settings.
- The folder may be turned off in Settings > Folders.
- New files appear after a rescan. Tap Rescan library.
Ringtones and voice notes show up as songs
Open Settings > Folders and turn off the folders they are in.
The equalizer says to play a song
Your phone only reports its equalizer bands once something is playing. Start a song, then open the equalizer again.
The equalizer barely changes the sound
Each phone sets its own limit on how much a band can boost or cut. Some allow much less than others, and emulators often allow very little. RetroBeat never shows more boost than your phone accepted.
There is no equalizer on Linux
The equalizer only works on Android, so it is hidden on desktop.
Why does RetroBeat want the microphone?
Only for Audio-reactive in Retro mode. Android requires the microphone permission to read the waveform of any sound, even the app's own music. Nothing is recorded or stored. Leave Audio-reactive off and the permission is never asked for.
On Linux, songs do not play
RetroBeat plays audio through libmpv. Install it with sudo apt install libmpv2 (Debian and Ubuntu).
Is there an Android download?
Not yet. RetroBeat is not in the Play Store and the GitHub releases have no APK, so on Android you build it from the source.
Does RetroBeat stream music from the internet?
No. On Android it has no internet access at all. On Linux it only connects to WebDAV servers you add yourself.
Where do I report a problem?
Open an issue on the RetroBeat GitHub issues page.