SoundLeaf v1.2: The Update You’ve Been Waiting For

SoundLeaf, the premium iOS client for Audiobookshelf, just got better. v1.2 is here with the features you’ve been asking for. Background downloads finally work properly, the player got smarter, and those annoying connection issues with your Audiobookshelf server? Fixed.

Background Downloads That Actually Work

The old download system was… not great. Downloads would pause when you switched apps, fail randomly, and the progress tracking was a mess.

v1.2 completely rewrites how downloads work:

• Downloads continue in the background - Switch apps, lock your phone, whatever. Your books keep downloading.
• Proper progress tracking - No more stuck progress bars or incorrect file sizes
• Smart retry logic - Network hiccup? Downloads automatically resume where they left off
• Better queue management - Downloads process one at a time to avoid overwhelming your connection

The new download UI shows real progress with smooth animations. You’ll see exactly what’s happening with each download, including speed and time remaining.

Player Improvements You’ll Actually Notice

Playback Speed That Remembers

You like listening at 1.5x speed? SoundLeaf now remembers that. The last playback speed you used becomes your default for all books. No more adjusting it every time you start a new audiobook.

Chapter Navigation That Makes Sense

Long chapter names used to get cut off, making navigation frustrating. Now they scroll smoothly so you can read the full title. The chapter menu also got visual improvements to make finding your spot easier.

Progress Bar Lock

Ever accidentally scrub to a different part of your book while it’s in your pocket? The new progress bar lock prevents accidental touches from jumping around in your audiobook. Perfect for when you’re running, walking, or just have your phone in your pocket. Toggle it on/off right from the player.

Better iPad Layout

The player view on iPad was cramped and weird. Fixed. Proper spacing, better button placement, everything scales correctly now.

Audiobookshelf Server Connection: Finally Reliable

This was a big one. SoundLeaf now handles various Audiobookshelf server configurations properly:

• Smart protocol detection - No need to specify HTTP or HTTPS. The app tries both automatically
• DNS name support - Using a local DNS name like audiobooks.local? That works now
• Better offline detection - The app knows when you’re offline and handles it gracefully
• Improved session syncing - Your progress syncs more reliably with your Audiobookshelf server

The Little Things That Add Up

Performance Fixes

• The home screen doesn’t lag anymore when you have a large library
• Library switching is instant (no more 3-second wait)
• Authors view properly filters by your selected library
• Stats page is now interactive - tap those numbers for details

Visual Polish

• Mini player has proper padding on all devices
• Download progress animations are smooth, not janky
• HTML in book descriptions displays correctly (no more raw tags)
• Context menus let you mark books as finished or download them directly

Crash Fixes

• Fixed that login crash some of you were experiencing
• Download view doesn’t crash when switching libraries
• Chapter navigation works reliably without freezing

What’s Next?

Your feedback drives development. The most requested features in the pipeline:

• CarPlay support (coming soon)
• Series-based downloads (download entire series at once)
• More granular download settings
• Enhanced search with filters

Getting the Update

v1.2 is available now on the App Store. If you have automatic updates enabled, you probably already have it.

Found a bug? Have a feature request? GitHub issues are the best way to reach me.

SoundLeaf continues to be the best iOS client for Audiobookshelf, and your support and feedback make it better with every update.