additional carplay changes

Reviewed-on: http://192.168.1.74:30008/kfj001/kryz-go-flutter/pulls/8

.vscode/settings.json

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+    "chat.tools.terminal.autoApprove": {
+        "flutter": true
+    }
+}

android/app/src/main/kotlin/com/example/kryz_go_flutter/KryzAutoMediaBrowserService.kt

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import android.app.NotificationChannel
 import android.app.NotificationManager
 import android.content.ComponentName
 import android.content.Context
+import android.content.Intent
 import android.os.Handler
 import android.os.Looper
 import android.support.v4.media.MediaBrowserCompat
@@ -178,11 +179,37 @@ class KryzAutoMediaBrowserService : MediaBrowserServiceCompat() {
 
     override fun onDestroy() {
         Log.d(TAG, "onDestroy()")
+        stopFlutterPlaybackForHeadUnitDisconnect()
         disconnectFromFlutterAudioService()
         if (::mediaSession.isInitialized) mediaSession.release()
         super.onDestroy()
     }
 
+    override fun onTaskRemoved(rootIntent: Intent?) {
+        Log.d(TAG, "onTaskRemoved()")
+        stopFlutterPlaybackForHeadUnitDisconnect()
+        super.onTaskRemoved(rootIntent)
+    }
+
+    override fun onUnbind(intent: Intent?): Boolean {
+        Log.d(TAG, "onUnbind()")
+        stopFlutterPlaybackForHeadUnitDisconnect()
+        return super.onUnbind(intent)
+    }
+
+    private fun stopFlutterPlaybackForHeadUnitDisconnect() {
+        pendingPlayRequest = false
+        pendingStopRequest = false
+
+        try {
+            audioServiceController?.transportControls?.stop()
+        } catch (error: Exception) {
+            Log.w(TAG, "Unable to stop Flutter audio on head unit disconnect: ${error.message}")
+        }
+
+        applyPlaybackState(isPlaying = false, isBuffering = false)
+    }
+
     private fun applyPlaybackState(isPlaying: Boolean, isBuffering: Boolean) {
         if (!::mediaSession.isInitialized) return
         val state = when {
@@ -303,7 +330,7 @@ class KryzAutoMediaBrowserService : MediaBrowserServiceCompat() {
     ) {
         if (!::mediaSession.isInitialized) return
 
-        val iconUri = Uri.parse("android.resource://${packageName}/mipmap/ic_launcher")
+        val iconUri = Uri.parse("android.resource://${packageName}/drawable/kryz_auto_art")
         mediaSession.setMetadata(
             MediaMetadataCompat.Builder()
                 .putString(MediaMetadataCompat.METADATA_KEY_TITLE, title ?: "KRYZ Live Stream")

android/app/src/main/kotlin/com/example/kryz_go_flutter/MainActivity.kt

@@ -27,13 +27,26 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 	companion object {
 		private const val METHOD_CHANNEL = "kryz_go_flutter/casting/methods"
 		private const val EVENT_CHANNEL = "kryz_go_flutter/casting/events"
+		private const val MAX_PENDING_CAST_AUTOPLAY_RETRIES = 5
+		private const val REMOTE_STATUS_POLL_INTERVAL_MS = 500L
 	}
 
+	private data class PendingCastRequest(
+		val streamUrl: String,
+		val title: String,
+		val subtitle: String,
+	)
+
 	private var castContext: CastContext? = null
+	private var methodChannel: MethodChannel? = null
 	private var eventSink: EventChannel.EventSink? = null
 	private var chooserDialog: MediaRouteChooserDialog? = null
 	private val mainHandler = Handler(Looper.getMainLooper())
     private var activeRemoteMediaClient: RemoteMediaClient? = null
+	private var pendingCastRequest: PendingCastRequest? = null
+	private var pendingCastRequestInFlight: Boolean = false
+	private var pendingCastAutoplayRetryCount: Int = 0
+	private var remoteCastStatusPollingRunnable: Runnable? = null
 
 	private var statusPayload: MutableMap<String, Any?> = mutableMapOf(
 		"status" to "idle",
@@ -58,10 +71,13 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 
 		override fun onSessionStarted(session: CastSession, sessionId: String) {
 			attachRemoteClientCallback(session)
+			startRemoteStatusPolling()
 			emitStatus("connected", session.castDevice?.friendlyName)
+			startPendingCastRequest(session)
 		}
 
 		override fun onSessionStartFailed(session: CastSession, error: Int) {
+			clearPendingCastRequest()
 			emitStatus("error", message = "Cast session failed to start ($error)")
 		}
 
@@ -71,6 +87,10 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 		}
 
 		override fun onSessionEnded(session: CastSession, error: Int) {
+			stopRemoteStatusPolling()
+			clearPendingCastRequest()
+			// If app was launched from Android Auto, restart audio service on cast disconnect
+			restartAudioServiceSession()
 			emitStatus("idle")
 		}
 
@@ -80,14 +100,18 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 
 		override fun onSessionResumed(session: CastSession, wasSuspended: Boolean) {
 			attachRemoteClientCallback(session)
+			startRemoteStatusPolling()
 			emitStatus("connected", session.castDevice?.friendlyName)
+			startPendingCastRequest(session)
 		}
 
 		override fun onSessionResumeFailed(session: CastSession, error: Int) {
+			clearPendingCastRequest()
 			emitStatus("error", message = "Cast session failed to resume ($error)")
 		}
 
 		override fun onSessionSuspended(session: CastSession, reason: Int) {
+			stopRemoteStatusPolling()
 			detachRemoteClientCallback()
 			emitStatus("idle")
 		}
@@ -96,8 +120,8 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 	override fun configureFlutterEngine(flutterEngine: FlutterEngine) {
 		super.configureFlutterEngine(flutterEngine)
 
-		MethodChannel(flutterEngine.dartExecutor.binaryMessenger, METHOD_CHANNEL)
-			.setMethodCallHandler(this)
+		methodChannel = MethodChannel(flutterEngine.dartExecutor.binaryMessenger, METHOD_CHANNEL)
+			.apply { setMethodCallHandler(this@MainActivity) }
 
 		EventChannel(flutterEngine.dartExecutor.binaryMessenger, EVENT_CHANNEL)
 			.setStreamHandler(this)
@@ -114,13 +138,14 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 		when (call.method) {
 			"getStatus" -> result.success(statusPayload)
 			"showDevicePicker" -> {
-				showDevicePicker()
+				showDevicePicker(call)
 				result.success(null)
 			}
 			"startCastingLiveStream" -> {
 				startCastingLiveStream(call, result)
 			}
 			"disconnect" -> {
+				clearPendingCastRequest()
 				castContext?.sessionManager?.endCurrentSession(true)
 				emitStatus("idle")
 				result.success(null)
@@ -174,12 +199,15 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 		}
 	}
 
-	private fun showDevicePicker() {
+	private fun showDevicePicker(call: MethodCall) {
 		if (castContext == null) {
+			clearPendingCastRequest()
 			emitStatus("unavailable", message = "Cast services unavailable")
 			return
 		}
 
+		setPendingCastRequest(parsePendingCastRequest(call.arguments))
+
 		val receiverAppId = getString(R.string.cast_receiver_app_id)
 		val routeSelector = MediaRouteSelector.Builder()
 			.addControlCategory(CastMediaControlIntent.categoryForCast(receiverAppId))
@@ -210,6 +238,7 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 		val currentStatus = statusPayload["status"] as? String
 
 		if (currentSession == null && currentStatus == "connecting") {
+			clearPendingCastRequest()
 			emitStatus("idle")
 		}
 	}
@@ -222,8 +251,8 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 		}
 
 		val streamUrl = arguments["streamUrl"] as? String
-		val title = arguments["title"] as? String ?: "Live Stream"
-		val subtitle = arguments["subtitle"] as? String ?: ""
+		val title = "KRYZ 98.5 LPFM Mariposa Community Radio"
+		val subtitle = "Live Stream"
 
 		if (streamUrl.isNullOrBlank()) {
 			result.error("invalid_stream_url", "streamUrl is required", null)
@@ -236,6 +265,113 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 			return
 		}
 
+		val loadRequestData = buildLoadRequestData(
+			streamUrl = streamUrl,
+			title = title,
+			subtitle = subtitle,
+		)
+
+		loadMediaWithRetry(
+			session = currentSession,
+			loadRequestData = loadRequestData,
+			attempt = 1,
+			result = result,
+		)
+	}
+
+	private fun setPendingCastRequest(request: PendingCastRequest?) {
+		pendingCastRequest = request
+		pendingCastRequestInFlight = false
+		pendingCastAutoplayRetryCount = 0
+	}
+
+	private fun clearPendingCastRequest() {
+		setPendingCastRequest(null)
+	}
+
+	private fun parsePendingCastRequest(arguments: Any?): PendingCastRequest? {
+		val map = arguments as? Map<*, *> ?: return null
+		val shouldAutoplay = map["autoplay"] as? Boolean ?: false
+		if (!shouldAutoplay) {
+			return null
+		}
+
+		val streamUrl = map["streamUrl"] as? String
+		if (streamUrl.isNullOrBlank()) {
+			return null
+		}
+
+		return PendingCastRequest(
+			streamUrl = streamUrl,
+			title = map["title"] as? String ?: "Live Stream",
+			subtitle = map["subtitle"] as? String ?: "",
+		)
+	}
+
+	private fun startPendingCastRequest(session: CastSession) {
+		val request = pendingCastRequest ?: return
+		if (pendingCastRequestInFlight) {
+			return
+		}
+		pendingCastRequestInFlight = true
+
+		loadMediaWithRetry(
+			session = session,
+			loadRequestData = buildLoadRequestData(
+				streamUrl = request.streamUrl,
+				title = request.title,
+				subtitle = request.subtitle,
+			),
+			attempt = 1,
+			result = object : MethodChannel.Result {
+				override fun success(result: Any?) {
+					clearPendingCastRequest()
+				}
+
+				override fun error(errorCode: String, errorMessage: String?, errorDetails: Any?) {
+					pendingCastRequestInFlight = false
+					schedulePendingCastRequestRetry(errorMessage ?: errorCode)
+				}
+
+				override fun notImplemented() {}
+			},
+		)
+	}
+
+	private fun schedulePendingCastRequestRetry(message: String) {
+		val request = pendingCastRequest
+		val currentSession = castContext?.sessionManager?.currentCastSession
+		if (request == null || currentSession == null || !currentSession.isConnected) {
+			clearPendingCastRequest()
+			emitStatus("error", message = message)
+			return
+		}
+
+		if (pendingCastAutoplayRetryCount >= MAX_PENDING_CAST_AUTOPLAY_RETRIES) {
+			clearPendingCastRequest()
+			emitStatus("error", message = message)
+			return
+		}
+
+		pendingCastAutoplayRetryCount += 1
+		mainHandler.postDelayed(
+			{
+				val resumedSession = castContext?.sessionManager?.currentCastSession
+				if (resumedSession != null && resumedSession.isConnected) {
+					startPendingCastRequest(resumedSession)
+				} else {
+					clearPendingCastRequest()
+				}
+			},
+			1000,
+		)
+	}
+
+	private fun buildLoadRequestData(
+		streamUrl: String,
+		title: String,
+		subtitle: String,
+	): MediaLoadRequestData {
 		val metadata = MediaMetadata(MediaMetadata.MEDIA_TYPE_MUSIC_TRACK).apply {
 			putString(MediaMetadata.KEY_TITLE, title)
 			putString(MediaMetadata.KEY_SUBTITLE, subtitle)
@@ -247,17 +383,10 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 			.setMetadata(metadata)
 			.build()
 
-		val loadRequestData = MediaLoadRequestData.Builder()
+		return MediaLoadRequestData.Builder()
 			.setMediaInfo(mediaInfo)
 			.setAutoplay(true)
 			.build()
-
-		loadMediaWithRetry(
-			session = currentSession,
-			loadRequestData = loadRequestData,
-			attempt = 1,
-			result = result,
-		)
 	}
 
 	private fun loadMediaWithRetry(
@@ -292,14 +421,14 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 
 		try {
 			remoteMediaClient.load(loadRequestData).setResultCallback { mediaChannelResult ->
-				if (mediaChannelResult == null) {
-					emitStatus("error", message = "Cast load returned no result")
-					result.error("cast_load_failed", "Cast load returned no result", null)
-					return@setResultCallback
-				}
-
 				if (mediaChannelResult.status.isSuccess) {
+					// Stop local playback immediately when remote load succeeds
+					// This MUST be done in Kotlin (not Flutter) because the audio service
+					// session may be active from Android Auto and won't respond to Flutter calls
+					stopAudioServiceSession()
+					
 					emitStatus("connected", session.castDevice?.friendlyName)
+					// Force initial remote status update and continue polling
 					emitRemotePlaybackStatus()
 					result.success(null)
 					return@setResultCallback
@@ -331,11 +460,6 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 
 		try {
 			remoteMediaClient.stop().setResultCallback { stopResult ->
-				if (stopResult == null) {
-					result.error("cast_stop_failed", "Cast stop returned no result", null)
-					return@setResultCallback
-				}
-
 				if (stopResult.status.isSuccess) {
 					emitStatus("connected", session.castDevice?.friendlyName, playbackStatus = "stopped")
 					result.success(null)
@@ -366,22 +490,59 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 		detachRemoteClientCallback()
 		activeRemoteMediaClient = remoteMediaClient
 		remoteMediaClient.registerCallback(remoteMediaClientCallback)
+		startRemoteStatusPolling()
+		if (pendingCastRequest != null) {
+			startPendingCastRequest(session)
+		}
 		emitRemotePlaybackStatus()
 	}
 
 	private fun detachRemoteClientCallback() {
+		stopRemoteStatusPolling()
 		activeRemoteMediaClient?.unregisterCallback(remoteMediaClientCallback)
 		activeRemoteMediaClient = null
 	}
 
+	private fun startRemoteStatusPolling() {
+		if (remoteCastStatusPollingRunnable != null) {
+			return
+		}
+
+		val pollRunnable = object : Runnable {
+			override fun run() {
+				try {
+					if (activeRemoteMediaClient != null) {
+						emitRemotePlaybackStatus()
+						// Use mainHandler to keep polling alive across lifecycle changes
+						mainHandler.postDelayed(this, REMOTE_STATUS_POLL_INTERVAL_MS)
+					}
+				} catch (e: Exception) {
+					// Safely handle any errors to keep polling thread alive
+					e.printStackTrace()
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		remoteCastStatusPollingRunnable = pollRunnable
+		mainHandler.post(pollRunnable)
+	}
+
+	private fun stopRemoteStatusPolling() {
+		val runnable = remoteCastStatusPollingRunnable ?: return
+		mainHandler.removeCallbacks(runnable)
+		remoteCastStatusPollingRunnable = null
+	}
+
 	private fun emitRemotePlaybackStatus() {
 		val remoteMediaClient = activeRemoteMediaClient
-		val mediaStatus = remoteMediaClient?.mediaStatus
+		if (remoteMediaClient == null) return
+		
+		val mediaStatus = remoteMediaClient.mediaStatus
 		val playbackStatus = when (mediaStatus?.playerState) {
 			MediaStatus.PLAYER_STATE_PLAYING -> "playing"
 			MediaStatus.PLAYER_STATE_BUFFERING,
 			MediaStatus.PLAYER_STATE_LOADING -> "buffering"
-			MediaStatus.PLAYER_STATE_PAUSED,
+			MediaStatus.PLAYER_STATE_PAUSED -> "stopped"
 			MediaStatus.PLAYER_STATE_IDLE,
 			MediaStatus.PLAYER_STATE_UNKNOWN,
 			null -> "stopped"
@@ -394,6 +555,40 @@ class MainActivity : AudioServiceActivity(), MethodChannel.MethodCallHandler, Ev
 		}
 	}
 
+	private fun stopLocalAudioPlayback() {
+		try {
+			// Tell Flutter side to stop local audio via method channel
+			// This prevents audio from playing on both mobile and cast device
+			methodChannel?.invokeMethod("stopLocalAudio", null)
+		} catch (e: Exception) {
+			// Silently handle if Flutter side doesn't implement this method
+			e.printStackTrace()
+		}
+	}
+
+	private fun stopAudioServiceSession() {
+		try {
+			// Stop the audio service session directly (works even if app is in background via Android Auto)
+			// This ensures the shared audio handler doesn't keep playing when cast device takes over
+			// Access the audio service through the session token if available
+			methodChannel?.invokeMethod("stopAudioService", null)
+		} catch (e: Exception) {
+			// Audio service might not be available, silently continue
+			e.printStackTrace()
+		}
+	}
+
+	private fun restartAudioServiceSession() {
+		try {
+			// When cast session ends, allow the audio service to resume management
+			// This re-enables local playback for the Flutter side
+			methodChannel?.invokeMethod("resumeLocalAudio", null)
+		} catch (e: Exception) {
+			// If Flutter handler isn't ready, that's ok - audio service will be managed externally
+			e.printStackTrace()
+		}
+	}
+
 	private fun emitStatus(
 		status: String,
 		deviceName: String? = null,

ios/Runner/AppDelegate.swift

@@ -2,12 +2,76 @@ import Flutter
 import UIKit
 import AVFoundation
 import AVKit
+import MediaPlayer
+
+private struct CarPlayPlaybackSnapshot {
+  var playbackStatus: String
+  var title: String
+  var subtitle: String
+  var album: String
+  var isLive: Bool
+  var seekable: Bool
+
+  static let `default` = CarPlayPlaybackSnapshot(
+    playbackStatus: "stopped",
+    title: "KRYZ Live Stream",
+    subtitle: "KRYZ Radio",
+    album: "Live",
+    isLive: true,
+    seekable: false
+  )
+
+  init(
+    playbackStatus: String,
+    title: String,
+    subtitle: String,
+    album: String,
+    isLive: Bool,
+    seekable: Bool
+  ) {
+    self.playbackStatus = playbackStatus
+    self.title = title
+    self.subtitle = subtitle
+    self.album = album
+    self.isLive = isLive
+    self.seekable = seekable
+  }
+
+  init(payload: [String: Any], fallback: CarPlayPlaybackSnapshot) {
+    let status = (payload["playbackStatus"] as? String)?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+    let title = (payload["title"] as? String)?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+    let subtitle = (payload["subtitle"] as? String)?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+    let album = (payload["album"] as? String)?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+
+    playbackStatus = (status?.isEmpty == false) ? status! : fallback.playbackStatus
+    self.title = (title?.isEmpty == false) ? title! : fallback.title
+    self.subtitle = (subtitle?.isEmpty == false) ? subtitle! : fallback.subtitle
+    self.album = (album?.isEmpty == false) ? album! : fallback.album
+    isLive = payload["isLive"] as? Bool ?? fallback.isLive
+    seekable = payload["seekable"] as? Bool ?? fallback.seekable
+  }
+
+  func asDictionary() -> [String: Any] {
+    [
+      "playbackStatus": playbackStatus,
+      "title": title,
+      "subtitle": subtitle,
+      "album": album,
+      "isLive": isLive,
+      "seekable": seekable
+    ]
+  }
+}
 
 @main
 @objc class AppDelegate: FlutterAppDelegate, FlutterImplicitEngineDelegate, FlutterStreamHandler {
   private let castingMethodChannelName = "kryz_go_flutter/casting/methods"
   private let castingEventChannelName = "kryz_go_flutter/casting/events"
   private let playbackMethodChannelName = "kryz_go_flutter/playback/methods"
+  private let carPlayMethodChannelName = "kryz_go_flutter/carplay/methods"
+
+  static let carPlaySnapshotDidChangeNotification = Notification.Name("KRYZCarPlaySnapshotDidChange")
+  static let carPlaySnapshotUserInfoKey = "snapshot"
 
   private var castingEventSink: FlutterEventSink?
   private var castingStatus: [String: Any] = [
@@ -15,6 +79,13 @@ import AVKit
     "platform": "ios"
   ]
   private var playbackMethodChannel: FlutterMethodChannel?
+  private var carPlayMethodChannel: FlutterMethodChannel?
+  private var carPlaySnapshot = CarPlayPlaybackSnapshot.default
+  private var headlessFlutterEngine: FlutterEngine?
+  private var playCommandTarget: Any?
+  private var togglePlayPauseCommandTarget: Any?
+  private var pauseCommandTarget: Any?
+  private var stopCommandTarget: Any?
 
   override func application(
     _ application: UIApplication,
@@ -37,14 +108,67 @@ import AVKit
     )
 
     updateCastingStatusForCurrentRoute()
+    ensureFlutterBridgeReadyForCarPlay()
 
     return super.application(application, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: launchOptions)
   }
 
   func didInitializeImplicitFlutterEngine(_ engineBridge: FlutterImplicitEngineBridge) {
     GeneratedPluginRegistrant.register(with: engineBridge.pluginRegistry)
+    configureChannels(with: engineBridge.pluginRegistry)
 
-    guard let registrar = engineBridge.pluginRegistry.registrar(forPlugin: "CastingBridge") else {
+    if let engine = headlessFlutterEngine {
+      engine.destroyContext()
+      headlessFlutterEngine = nil
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Invoke play on the Flutter audio engine. Called by CarPlaySceneDelegate.
+  func invokePlay() {
+    ensureFlutterBridgeReadyForCarPlay()
+    playbackMethodChannel?.invokeMethod("play", arguments: nil)
+  }
+
+  /// Invoke stop on the Flutter audio engine. Called by CarPlaySceneDelegate.
+  func invokeStop() {
+    ensureFlutterBridgeReadyForCarPlay()
+    playbackMethodChannel?.invokeMethod("stop", arguments: nil)
+  }
+
+  func currentCarPlaySnapshot() -> [String: Any] {
+    carPlaySnapshot.asDictionary()
+  }
+
+  func requestCarPlaySnapshot() {
+    ensureFlutterBridgeReadyForCarPlay()
+    carPlayMethodChannel?.invokeMethod("getStateSnapshot", arguments: nil) { [weak self] response in
+      guard let payload = response as? [String: Any] else {
+        return
+      }
+
+      self?.applyCarPlaySnapshot(payload)
+    }
+  }
+
+  func ensureFlutterBridgeReadyForCarPlay() {
+    if playbackMethodChannel != nil, carPlayMethodChannel != nil {
+      return
+    }
+
+    if let engine = headlessFlutterEngine {
+      configureChannels(with: engine)
+      return
+    }
+
+    let engine = FlutterEngine(name: "kryz_carplay_headless_engine", project: nil, allowHeadlessExecution: true)
+    headlessFlutterEngine = engine
+    engine.run()
+    GeneratedPluginRegistrant.register(with: engine)
+    configureChannels(with: engine)
+  }
+
+  private func configureChannels(with registry: FlutterPluginRegistry) {
+    guard let registrar = registry.registrar(forPlugin: "CastingBridge") else {
       return
     }
 
@@ -67,16 +191,17 @@ import AVKit
       name: playbackMethodChannelName,
       binaryMessenger: registrar.messenger()
     )
-  }
 
-  /// Invoke play on the Flutter audio engine. Called by CarPlaySceneDelegate.
-  func invokePlay() {
-    playbackMethodChannel?.invokeMethod("play", arguments: nil)
-  }
+    carPlayMethodChannel = FlutterMethodChannel(
+      name: carPlayMethodChannelName,
+      binaryMessenger: registrar.messenger()
+    )
+    carPlayMethodChannel?.setMethodCallHandler { [weak self] call, result in
+      self?.handleCarPlayMethod(call: call, result: result)
+    }
 
-  /// Invoke stop on the Flutter audio engine. Called by CarPlaySceneDelegate.
-  func invokeStop() {
-    playbackMethodChannel?.invokeMethod("stop", arguments: nil)
+    configureRemoteCommandCenterIfNeeded()
+    requestCarPlaySnapshot()
   }
 
   @objc private func handleAudioRouteChange() {
@@ -103,6 +228,132 @@ import AVKit
     }
   }
 
+  private func handleCarPlayMethod(call: FlutterMethodCall, result: @escaping FlutterResult) {
+    switch call.method {
+    case "syncState":
+      guard let payload = call.arguments as? [String: Any] else {
+        result(
+          FlutterError(
+            code: "invalid_payload",
+            message: "Expected map payload for syncState",
+            details: nil
+          )
+        )
+        return
+      }
+
+      applyCarPlaySnapshot(payload)
+      result(nil)
+    case "getCachedState":
+      result(carPlaySnapshot.asDictionary())
+    default:
+      result(FlutterMethodNotImplemented)
+    }
+  }
+
+  private func applyCarPlaySnapshot(_ payload: [String: Any]) {
+    carPlaySnapshot = CarPlayPlaybackSnapshot(payload: payload, fallback: carPlaySnapshot)
+    updateNowPlayingInfoCenter(using: carPlaySnapshot)
+    NotificationCenter.default.post(
+      name: Self.carPlaySnapshotDidChangeNotification,
+      object: self,
+      userInfo: [Self.carPlaySnapshotUserInfoKey: carPlaySnapshot.asDictionary()]
+    )
+  }
+
+  private func updateNowPlayingInfoCenter(using snapshot: CarPlayPlaybackSnapshot) {
+    var nowPlayingInfo = MPNowPlayingInfoCenter.default().nowPlayingInfo ?? [:]
+    nowPlayingInfo[MPMediaItemPropertyTitle] = snapshot.title
+    nowPlayingInfo[MPMediaItemPropertyArtist] = snapshot.subtitle
+    nowPlayingInfo[MPMediaItemPropertyAlbumTitle] = snapshot.album
+    nowPlayingInfo[MPNowPlayingInfoPropertyIsLiveStream] = snapshot.isLive
+    nowPlayingInfo[MPNowPlayingInfoPropertyPlaybackRate] = snapshot.playbackStatus == "playing" ? 1.0 : 0.0
+    nowPlayingInfo[MPNowPlayingInfoPropertyElapsedPlaybackTime] = 0.0
+    MPNowPlayingInfoCenter.default().nowPlayingInfo = nowPlayingInfo
+
+    if #available(iOS 13.0, *) {
+      let playbackState: MPNowPlayingPlaybackState = switch snapshot.playbackStatus {
+      case "playing":
+        .playing
+      case "buffering":
+        .playing
+      default:
+        .stopped
+      }
+      MPNowPlayingInfoCenter.default().playbackState = playbackState
+    }
+  }
+
+  private func configureRemoteCommandCenterIfNeeded() {
+    if playCommandTarget != nil ||
+      togglePlayPauseCommandTarget != nil ||
+      pauseCommandTarget != nil ||
+      stopCommandTarget != nil {
+      return
+    }
+
+    let commandCenter = MPRemoteCommandCenter.shared()
+    commandCenter.changePlaybackPositionCommand.isEnabled = false
+    commandCenter.seekForwardCommand.isEnabled = false
+    commandCenter.seekBackwardCommand.isEnabled = false
+    commandCenter.nextTrackCommand.isEnabled = false
+    commandCenter.previousTrackCommand.isEnabled = false
+
+    commandCenter.playCommand.isEnabled = true
+    playCommandTarget = commandCenter.playCommand.addTarget { [weak self] _ in
+      self?.invokePlay()
+      return .success
+    }
+
+    commandCenter.togglePlayPauseCommand.isEnabled = true
+    togglePlayPauseCommandTarget = commandCenter.togglePlayPauseCommand.addTarget { [weak self] _ in
+      guard let self else {
+        return .commandFailed
+      }
+
+      switch self.carPlaySnapshot.playbackStatus {
+      case "playing", "buffering":
+        self.invokeStop()
+      default:
+        self.invokePlay()
+      }
+
+      return .success
+    }
+
+    commandCenter.pauseCommand.isEnabled = true
+    pauseCommandTarget = commandCenter.pauseCommand.addTarget { [weak self] _ in
+      self?.invokeStop()
+      return .success
+    }
+
+    commandCenter.stopCommand.isEnabled = true
+    stopCommandTarget = commandCenter.stopCommand.addTarget { [weak self] _ in
+      self?.invokeStop()
+      return .success
+    }
+  }
+
+  private func teardownRemoteCommandCenter() {
+    let commandCenter = MPRemoteCommandCenter.shared()
+    if let target = playCommandTarget {
+      commandCenter.playCommand.removeTarget(target)
+    }
+    if let target = togglePlayPauseCommandTarget {
+      commandCenter.togglePlayPauseCommand.removeTarget(target)
+    }
+    if let target = pauseCommandTarget {
+      commandCenter.pauseCommand.removeTarget(target)
+    }
+    if let target = stopCommandTarget {
+      commandCenter.stopCommand.removeTarget(target)
+    }
+    playCommandTarget = nil
+    togglePlayPauseCommandTarget = nil
+    pauseCommandTarget = nil
+    stopCommandTarget = nil
+  }
+
   private func showAirPlayPicker() {
     DispatchQueue.main.async {
       guard let rootViewController = self.activeRootViewController() else {
@@ -176,5 +427,6 @@ import AVKit
 
   deinit {
     NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(self)
+    teardownRemoteCommandCenter()
   }
 }

ios/Runner/CarPlaySceneDelegate.swift

@@ -14,10 +14,46 @@ import UIKit
  * Note: the com.apple.developer.carplay-audio entitlement must be enabled in the
  * Apple Developer Portal and added to the target in Xcode Signing & Capabilities.
  */
-class CarPlaySceneDelegate: UIResponder, CPTemplateApplicationSceneDelegate {
+class CarPlaySceneDelegate: UIResponder, CPTemplateApplicationSceneDelegate, CPListTemplateDelegate {
+
+  private struct Snapshot {
+    var playbackStatus: String
+    var title: String
+    var subtitle: String
+    var album: String
+
+    init(playbackStatus: String, title: String, subtitle: String, album: String) {
+      self.playbackStatus = playbackStatus
+      self.title = title
+      self.subtitle = subtitle
+      self.album = album
+    }
+
+    static let `default` = Snapshot(
+      playbackStatus: "stopped",
+      title: "KRYZ Live Stream",
+      subtitle: "KRYZ Radio",
+      album: "Live"
+    )
+
+    init(payload: [String: Any]?) {
+      let base = Snapshot.default
+      let status = (payload?["playbackStatus"] as? String)?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+      let title = (payload?["title"] as? String)?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+      let subtitle = (payload?["subtitle"] as? String)?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+      let album = (payload?["album"] as? String)?.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+
+      playbackStatus = (status?.isEmpty == false) ? status! : base.playbackStatus
+      self.title = (title?.isEmpty == false) ? title! : base.title
+      self.subtitle = (subtitle?.isEmpty == false) ? subtitle! : base.subtitle
+      self.album = (album?.isEmpty == false) ? album! : base.album
+    }
+  }
 
   private var carPlayInterfaceController: CPInterfaceController?
   private var listTemplate: CPListTemplate?
+  private var streamItem: CPListItem?
+  private var snapshot: Snapshot = .default
 
   // MARK: - CPTemplateApplicationSceneDelegate
 
@@ -25,14 +61,36 @@ class CarPlaySceneDelegate: UIResponder, CPTemplateApplicationSceneDelegate {
     _ templateApplicationScene: CPTemplateApplicationScene,
     didConnect interfaceController: CPInterfaceController
   ) {
+    appDelegate?.ensureFlutterBridgeReadyForCarPlay()
     carPlayInterfaceController = interfaceController
-    interfaceController.setRootTemplate(makeListTemplate(), animated: false, completion: nil)
+    snapshot = Snapshot(payload: appDelegate?.currentCarPlaySnapshot())
+
+    let rootTemplate = makeListTemplate()
+    if #available(iOS 14.0, *) {
+      interfaceController.setRootTemplate(rootTemplate, animated: false, completion: nil)
+    } else {
+      // iOS 13 fallback: use API variant available before iOS 14.
+      interfaceController.setRootTemplate(rootTemplate, animated: false)
+    }
+
+    NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+      self,
+      selector: #selector(handleCarPlaySnapshotChanged(_:)),
+      name: AppDelegate.carPlaySnapshotDidChangeNotification,
+      object: nil
+    )
+    appDelegate?.requestCarPlaySnapshot()
   }
 
   func templateApplicationScene(
     _ templateApplicationScene: CPTemplateApplicationScene,
     didDisconnectInterfaceController interfaceController: CPInterfaceController
   ) {
+    NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(
+      self,
+      name: AppDelegate.carPlaySnapshotDidChangeNotification,
+      object: nil
+    )
     carPlayInterfaceController = nil
     listTemplate = nil
     appDelegate?.invokeStop()
@@ -41,40 +99,105 @@ class CarPlaySceneDelegate: UIResponder, CPTemplateApplicationSceneDelegate {
   // MARK: - Template construction
 
   private func makeListTemplate() -> CPListTemplate {
-    let artwork = CPListItem.maximumImageSize
     let icon = UIImage(named: "AppIcon")?
       .withRenderingMode(.alwaysOriginal)
 
     let item = CPListItem(
-      text: "KRYZ Live Stream",
-      detailText: "KRYZ Radio",
+      text: snapshot.title,
+      detailText: detailText(for: snapshot),
       image: icon
     )
-    item.handler = { [weak self] _, completion in
-      self?.handleStreamItemTapped()
-      completion()
+    streamItem = item
+
+    if #available(iOS 14.0, *) {
+      item.handler = { [weak self] _, completion in
+        self?.handleStreamItemTapped()
+        completion()
+      }
     }
 
     let section = CPListSection(items: [item])
     let template = CPListTemplate(title: "KRYZ Go!", sections: [section])
-    template.tabTitle = "KRYZ Go!"
-    template.tabImage = icon
+
+    if #unavailable(iOS 14.0) {
+      // iOS 13 fallback: use list delegate selection callback.
+      template.delegate = self
+    }
+
+    if #available(iOS 14.0, *) {
+      template.tabTitle = "KRYZ Go!"
+      template.tabImage = icon
+    }
 
     listTemplate = template
-    // Silence unused-variable warning
-    _ = artwork
     return template
   }
 
+  private func detailText(for snapshot: Snapshot) -> String {
+    let statusText: String = switch snapshot.playbackStatus {
+    case "playing":
+      "Playing"
+    case "buffering":
+      "Buffering"
+    default:
+      "Stopped"
+    }
+
+    if snapshot.subtitle.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines).isEmpty {
+      return statusText
+    }
+
+    return "\(snapshot.subtitle) • \(statusText)"
+  }
+
+  @objc private func handleCarPlaySnapshotChanged(_ notification: Notification) {
+    guard
+      let payload = notification.userInfo?[AppDelegate.carPlaySnapshotUserInfoKey] as? [String: Any]
+    else {
+      return
+    }
+
+    snapshot = Snapshot(payload: payload)
+    refreshTemplatesForSnapshot()
+  }
+
+  private func refreshTemplatesForSnapshot() {
+    guard let interfaceController = carPlayInterfaceController else {
+      return
+    }
+
+    if #available(iOS 14.0, *), interfaceController.topTemplate is CPNowPlayingTemplate {
+      // Preserve Now Playing navigation stack while metadata updates are flowing.
+      return
+    }
+
+    let updatedTemplate = makeListTemplate()
+    if #available(iOS 14.0, *) {
+      interfaceController.setRootTemplate(updatedTemplate, animated: false, completion: nil)
+    } else {
+      interfaceController.setRootTemplate(updatedTemplate, animated: false)
+    }
+  }
+
   // MARK: - Playback
 
   private func handleStreamItemTapped() {
     appDelegate?.invokePlay()
-    carPlayInterfaceController?.pushTemplate(
-      CPNowPlayingTemplate.shared,
-      animated: true,
-      completion: nil
-    )
+    appDelegate?.requestCarPlaySnapshot()
+    guard let interfaceController = carPlayInterfaceController else {
+      return
+    }
+
+    if #available(iOS 14.0, *) {
+      interfaceController.pushTemplate(
+        CPNowPlayingTemplate.shared,
+        animated: true,
+        completion: nil
+      )
+    } else {
+      // iOS 13 fallback: no CPNowPlayingTemplate.shared API.
+      // Keep playback running and remain on the list template.
+    }
   }
 
   // MARK: - Helpers
@@ -82,4 +205,20 @@ class CarPlaySceneDelegate: UIResponder, CPTemplateApplicationSceneDelegate {
   private var appDelegate: AppDelegate? {
     UIApplication.shared.delegate as? AppDelegate
   }
+
+  // MARK: - CPListTemplateDelegate (iOS 13 fallback)
+
+  func listTemplate(
+    _ listTemplate: CPListTemplate,
+    didSelect item: CPListItem,
+    completionHandler: @escaping () -> Void
+  ) {
+    defer { completionHandler() }
+
+    guard item == streamItem else {
+      return
+    }
+
+    handleStreamItemTapped()
+  }
 }

lib/carplay_bridge.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import 'package:flutter/services.dart';
+
+import 'streaming_audio_business_object.dart';
+
+class CarPlayBridge {
+  CarPlayBridge({required StreamingAudioBusinessObject audio}) : _audio = audio;
+
+  static const MethodChannel _channel = MethodChannel(
+    'kryz_go_flutter/carplay/methods',
+  );
+
+  final StreamingAudioBusinessObject _audio;
+  bool _isStarted = false;
+
+  Future<void> start() async {
+    if (_isStarted) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    _isStarted = true;
+    _channel.setMethodCallHandler(_handleNativeMethodCall);
+    _audio.addListener(_onAudioChanged);
+    await _pushSnapshotToNative();
+  }
+
+  Future<void> dispose() async {
+    if (!_isStarted) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    _isStarted = false;
+    _audio.removeListener(_onAudioChanged);
+    _channel.setMethodCallHandler(null);
+  }
+
+  Map<String, dynamic> _snapshot() {
+    final String playbackStatus = switch (_audio.playbackStatus) {
+      StreamingPlaybackStatus.playing => 'playing',
+      StreamingPlaybackStatus.buffering => 'buffering',
+      StreamingPlaybackStatus.stopped => 'stopped',
+    };
+
+    return <String, dynamic>{
+      'playbackStatus': playbackStatus,
+      'isPlaying': _audio.isPlaying,
+      'isBuffering': _audio.isBuffering,
+      'isLive': true,
+      'seekable': false,
+      'title': _audio.currentTitle,
+      'subtitle': _audio.currentSubtitle,
+      'album': 'Live',
+    };
+  }
+
+  Future<dynamic> _handleNativeMethodCall(MethodCall call) async {
+    switch (call.method) {
+      case 'getStateSnapshot':
+        return _snapshot();
+      default:
+        throw MissingPluginException(
+          'Unknown CarPlay bridge method: ${call.method}',
+        );
+    }
+  }
+
+  void _onAudioChanged() {
+    _pushSnapshotToNative();
+  }
+
+  Future<void> _pushSnapshotToNative() async {
+    try {
+      await _channel.invokeMethod<void>('syncState', _snapshot());
+    } on MissingPluginException {
+      // CarPlay bridge only exists on iOS native builds.
+    } on PlatformException {
+      // Keep playback working even if native sync temporarily fails.
+    }
+  }
+}

lib/casting_business_object.dart

@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ class CastingBusinessObject extends ChangeNotifier {
   String? _connectedDeviceName;
   String? _lastError;
   
+  /// Callback for when native side requests local audio to stop
+  VoidCallback? onStopLocalAudioRequested;
+
   CastingStatus get status => _status;
   CastingPlaybackStatus get playbackStatus => _playbackStatus;
   String? get connectedDeviceName => _connectedDeviceName;
@@ -55,6 +58,18 @@ class CastingBusinessObject extends ChangeNotifier {
       },
     );
 
+    // Set up handler for native method calls (e.g., stopLocalAudio)
+    _methodChannel.setMethodCallHandler(_handleMethodCall);
+
+    await refreshStatus();
+  }
+
+  Future<void> refreshStatus() async {
+    if (!isSupportedOnThisPlatform) {
+      _setStatus(CastingStatus.unavailable);
+      return;
+    }
+
     try {
       final dynamic status = await _methodChannel.invokeMethod<dynamic>(
         'getStatus',
@@ -66,7 +81,12 @@ class CastingBusinessObject extends ChangeNotifier {
     }
   }
 
-  Future<void> showDevicePicker() async {
+  Future<void> showDevicePicker({
+    bool autoplay = false,
+    String? streamUrl,
+    String? title,
+    String? subtitle,
+  }) async {
     if (!isSupportedOnThisPlatform) {
       _setStatus(CastingStatus.unavailable);
       return;
@@ -77,7 +97,12 @@ class CastingBusinessObject extends ChangeNotifier {
     }
 
     try {
-      await _methodChannel.invokeMethod<void>('showDevicePicker');
+      await _methodChannel.invokeMethod<void>('showDevicePicker', {
+        'autoplay': autoplay,
+        'streamUrl': streamUrl,
+        'title': title,
+        'subtitle': subtitle,
+      });
     } on PlatformException catch (error) {
       _lastError = error.message ?? error.code;
       _setStatus(CastingStatus.error);
@@ -102,7 +127,10 @@ class CastingBusinessObject extends ChangeNotifier {
       });
     } on PlatformException catch (error) {
       _lastError = error.message ?? error.code;
-      _setStatus(CastingStatus.error);
+      // Do NOT set status to error here — native emits its own status events.
+      // Overriding status from Dart corrupts the UI when native considers the
+      // session still connected (e.g. during a retry after a race condition).
+      rethrow;
     }
   }
 
@@ -146,6 +174,8 @@ class CastingBusinessObject extends ChangeNotifier {
 
     if (deviceName != null && deviceName.isNotEmpty) {
       _connectedDeviceName = deviceName;
+    } else if (status != 'connected') {
+      _connectedDeviceName = null;
     }
 
     if (message != null && message.isNotEmpty) {
@@ -210,4 +240,22 @@ class CastingBusinessObject extends ChangeNotifier {
     _eventSubscription?.cancel();
     super.dispose();
   }
+
+  /// Handles method calls from native code
+  Future<dynamic> _handleMethodCall(MethodCall call) async {
+    switch (call.method) {
+      case 'stopLocalAudio':
+        onStopLocalAudioRequested?.call();
+        return null;
+      case 'stopAudioService':
+        // Stop the audio service directly (called when transferring to cast)
+        onStopLocalAudioRequested?.call();
+        return null;
+      case 'resumeLocalAudio':
+        // Audio service is resuming after cast disconnect; no action needed on Flutter side
+        return null;
+      default:
+        return null;
+    }
+  }
 }

lib/kryz_audio_handler.dart

@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ class KryzAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with SeekHandler {
 
   static const String streamUrl = 'https://kryz.out.airtime.pro/kryz_a';
   static const String mediaId = 'kryz-live-stream';
-  static const String _liveInfoEndpoint = 'http://kryz.airtime.pro/api/live-info';
+  static const String _liveInfoEndpoint =
+      'http://kryz.airtime.pro/api/live-info';
   static const Duration _liveInfoTimeout = Duration(seconds: 8);
   static const Duration _metadataRefreshInterval = Duration(seconds: 20);
 
@@ -27,10 +28,7 @@ class KryzAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with SeekHandler {
     title: 'KRYZ Live Stream',
     artist: 'KRYZ Radio',
     album: 'Live',
-    extras: <String, dynamic>{
-      'isLive': true,
-      'seekable': false,
-    },
+    extras: <String, dynamic>{'isLive': true, 'seekable': false},
   );
 
   final AudioPlayer _player = AudioPlayer();
@@ -82,10 +80,7 @@ class KryzAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with SeekHandler {
     try {
       if (!_isSourceLoaded) {
         await _player.setAudioSource(
-          AudioSource.uri(
-            Uri.parse(streamUrl),
-            tag: mediaItem.value,
-          ),
+          AudioSource.uri(Uri.parse(streamUrl), tag: mediaItem.value),
         );
         _isSourceLoaded = true;
       }
@@ -126,6 +121,13 @@ class KryzAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with SeekHandler {
     );
   }
 
+  @override
+  Future<void> pause() async {
+    // CarPlay and lock-screen transport may issue pause for live streams.
+    // Treat pause as stop to keep behavior consistent across platforms.
+    await stop();
+  }
+
   @override
   Future<void> seek(Duration position) async {
     // Live stream is intentionally non-seekable.
@@ -158,25 +160,35 @@ class KryzAudioHandler extends BaseAudioHandler with SeekHandler {
   }
 
   void _onPlayerStateChanged(PlayerState state) {
-    final AudioProcessingState processingState = switch (state.processingState) {
-      ProcessingState.idle => AudioProcessingState.idle,
-      ProcessingState.loading => AudioProcessingState.loading,
-      ProcessingState.buffering => AudioProcessingState.buffering,
-      ProcessingState.ready => AudioProcessingState.ready,
-      ProcessingState.completed => AudioProcessingState.completed,
-    };
+    final AudioProcessingState processingState =
+        switch (state.processingState) {
+          ProcessingState.idle => AudioProcessingState.idle,
+          ProcessingState.loading => AudioProcessingState.loading,
+          ProcessingState.buffering => AudioProcessingState.buffering,
+          ProcessingState.ready => AudioProcessingState.ready,
+          ProcessingState.completed => AudioProcessingState.completed,
+        };
 
-    final bool isPlaying = state.playing && state.processingState == ProcessingState.ready;
-    final bool isBuffering = (state.playing && state.processingState != ProcessingState.ready) ||
-        (_playRequested && !state.playing && state.processingState != ProcessingState.completed);
+    final bool isPlaying =
+        state.playing && state.processingState == ProcessingState.ready;
+    final bool isBuffering =
+        (state.playing && state.processingState != ProcessingState.ready) ||
+        (_playRequested &&
+            !state.playing &&
+            state.processingState != ProcessingState.completed);
 
     playbackState.add(
       playbackState.value.copyWith(
         controls: <MediaControl>[
-          if (isPlaying || isBuffering) MediaControl.stop else MediaControl.play,
+          if (isPlaying || isBuffering)
+            MediaControl.stop
+          else
+            MediaControl.play,
         ],
         systemActions: const <MediaAction>{},
-        processingState: isBuffering ? AudioProcessingState.buffering : processingState,
+        processingState: isBuffering
+            ? AudioProcessingState.buffering
+            : processingState,
         playing: isPlaying,
       ),
     );

lib/main.dart

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/services.dart';
 import 'package:timezone/data/latest.dart' as tz;
 import 'app_theme_business_object.dart';
+import 'carplay_bridge.dart';
 import 'casting_business_object.dart';
 import 'live_info_business_object.dart';
 import 'live_info_panel.dart';
@@ -35,16 +36,20 @@ class MyApp extends StatefulWidget {
 class _MyAppState extends State<MyApp> {
   final StreamingAudioBusinessObject _audio = StreamingAudioBusinessObject();
   final CastingBusinessObject _casting = CastingBusinessObject();
+  late final CarPlayBridge _carPlayBridge;
 
   @override
   void initState() {
     super.initState();
+    _carPlayBridge = CarPlayBridge(audio: _audio);
     unawaited(_audio.ensureInitialized());
+    unawaited(_carPlayBridge.start());
     _casting.initialize();
   }
 
   @override
   void dispose() {
+    unawaited(_carPlayBridge.dispose());
     _casting.dispose();
     _audio.dispose();
     super.dispose();
@@ -73,12 +78,11 @@ class MainPage extends StatefulWidget {
   State<MainPage> createState() => _MainPageState();
 }
 
-class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> {
+class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
   StreamingAudioBusinessObject get _audio => widget.audio;
   CastingBusinessObject get _casting => widget.casting;
   final LiveInfoBusinessObject _liveInfo = LiveInfoBusinessObject();
   static const List<int> _intervalOptions = <int>[5, 10, 15, 30, 60];
-  bool _castStreamStartedForActiveSession = false;
   bool _isStartingCastStream = false;
   bool _pendingRemotePlay = false;
 
@@ -133,11 +137,33 @@ class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> {
   @override
   void initState() {
     super.initState();
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addObserver(this);
     _audio.addListener(_handleAudioStateChanged);
     _casting.addListener(_handleCastingStateChanged);
     _liveInfo.addListener(_handleLiveInfoChanged);
     _liveInfo.start();
     _playbackChannel.setMethodCallHandler(_handlePlaybackMethodCall);
+
+    // When native code requests local audio to stop (cast media loaded)
+    _casting.onStopLocalAudioRequested = () {
+      unawaited(_audio.stop());
+    };
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void didChangeAppLifecycleState(AppLifecycleState state) {
+    if (state == AppLifecycleState.resumed) {
+      // Re-initialize (not just refresh) to re-establish the EventChannel
+      // subscription. In a cold-start Android Auto scenario the Flutter engine
+      // boots headlessly before MainActivity.configureFlutterEngine() runs, so
+      // the native EventChannel StreamHandler is not yet registered when
+      // initialize() first fires. The "listen" message is dropped, eventSink
+      // stays null, and all subsequent emitStatus() calls are silently lost.
+      // Calling initialize() here cancels that dead subscription and creates a
+      // fresh one now that the handler is registered; onListen immediately
+      // re-emits statusPayload so the Dart state is fully re-synced.
+      unawaited(_casting.initialize());
+    }
   }
 
   Future<void> _handlePlaybackMethodCall(MethodCall call) async {
@@ -172,15 +198,27 @@ class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> {
   }
 
   void _handleCastingStateChanged() {
+    final currentStatus = _casting.status;
+
+    if (_casting.isPlaying || _casting.isBuffering) {
+      _pendingRemotePlay = false;
+    }
+
+    if (currentStatus != CastingStatus.connected) {
+      _isStartingCastStream = false;
+    }
+
     if (_usesExternalCastPlayback &&
-        (!_castStreamStartedForActiveSession || _pendingRemotePlay) &&
+        _pendingRemotePlay &&
         !_isStartingCastStream) {
+      // Only load when _pendingRemotePlay was set by _play() while connecting.
+      // Do NOT trigger on justConnected — native pendingCastRequest handles
+      // all autoplay from showDevicePicker(autoplay: true).
       _startCastingLiveStream();
     }
 
-    if (!_usesExternalCastPlayback) {
-      _castStreamStartedForActiveSession = false;
-      _isStartingCastStream = false;
+    if (!_usesExternalCastPlayback &&
+        currentStatus != CastingStatus.connecting) {
       _pendingRemotePlay = false;
     }
 
@@ -203,21 +241,24 @@ class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> {
         subtitle: _audio.currentSubtitle,
       );
 
-      _castStreamStartedForActiveSession = true;
       _pendingRemotePlay = false;
 
       if (_usesExternalCastPlayback && !_audio.isStopped) {
         await _audio.stop();
       }
     } catch (_) {
-      _castStreamStartedForActiveSession = false;
-      // State is already updated by the casting business object.
+      _pendingRemotePlay = !_audio.isStopped;
     } finally {
       _isStartingCastStream = false;
     }
   }
 
   Future<void> _play() async {
+    if (_casting.status == CastingStatus.connecting) {
+      _pendingRemotePlay = true;
+      return;
+    }
+
     if (_usesExternalCastPlayback) {
       if (_casting.isPlaying || _isStartingCastStream) {
         return;
@@ -227,12 +268,7 @@ class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> {
       return;
     }
 
-    if (_usesExternalCastPlayback &&
-        _casting.status == CastingStatus.connecting) {
-      _pendingRemotePlay = true;
-      return;
-    }
-
+    _pendingRemotePlay = false;
     await _audio.play();
   }
 
@@ -251,7 +287,21 @@ class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> {
       return;
     }
 
-    await _casting.showDevicePicker();
+    final shouldAutoplay = !_audio.isStopped;
+    // Do NOT set _pendingRemotePlay when native handles autoplay.
+    // The native pendingCastRequest already handles autoplay via
+    // showDevicePicker(autoplay: true). Setting _pendingRemotePlay here
+    // causes a duplicate load from Flutter that races the native load and
+    // corrupts the cast status (especially in the Android Auto path).
+    // _pendingRemotePlay is only set by _play() when the user explicitly
+    // presses Play while the cast session is still connecting.
+    _pendingRemotePlay = false;
+    await _casting.showDevicePicker(
+      autoplay: shouldAutoplay,
+      streamUrl: shouldAutoplay ? _audio.streamUrl : null,
+      title: shouldAutoplay ? _audio.currentTitle : null,
+      subtitle: shouldAutoplay ? _audio.currentSubtitle : null,
+    );
   }
 
   String _castingLabel() {
@@ -290,6 +340,7 @@ class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> {
 
   @override
   void dispose() {
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.removeObserver(this);
     _audio.removeListener(_handleAudioStateChanged);
     _casting.removeListener(_handleCastingStateChanged);
     _liveInfo.removeListener(_handleLiveInfoChanged);
@@ -411,9 +462,7 @@ class _MainPageState extends State<MainPage> {
                         label: const Text('Stop'),
                       ),
                       ElevatedButton.icon(
-                        onPressed:
-                            _casting.status == CastingStatus.connecting ||
-                                _casting.status == CastingStatus.unavailable
+                        onPressed: _casting.status == CastingStatus.connecting
                             ? null
                             : _toggleCasting,
                         icon: Icon(_castingIcon()),