Incorrect Audio Track Selection on Playback

[cosminpatrascuro]

This issue respects the following points:

• This is a bug, not a question or a configuration issue; Please visit our forum or chat rooms first to troubleshoot with volunteers, before creating a report.
• This issue is not already reported on GitHub.
• I'm using an up to date version of Swiftfin; We generally do not support previous older versions. If possible, please update to the latest version before opening an issue.
• I agree to follow Jellyfin's Code of Conduct.

Description of the bug

There is an issue with the automatic audio track selection during media playback. The player consistently skips the first available audio track.
• Scenario A: If only one audio track is available, the media plays with no audio.
• Scenario B: If two or more audio tracks are available, the player automatically starts with the second track in the list instead of the first (default).

Reproduction steps

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Swiftfin and navigate to any media item.
2. Start playback of a file that has at least one audio track.
3. Observe the audio output (or check the audio selector menu).
4. Note that for single-track files, audio is muted/missing. For multi-track files, the second track is active by default.

Platform

iOS

Application version

1.4.1

Where did you install the app from?

App Store

Device information

Iphone 16 Pro

OS version

iOS 26.2

Jellyfin server version

10.11.5

Screenshots or videos

No response

Relevant log output

[JPKribs]

Do you have external subtitles? I've found the external subtitles screw up our indexes because Jellyfin and VLC handle external tracks differently so we need some translation moving forward to resolve that.

[cosminpatrascuro]

Yes, I have some files with external subtitles, and some with embeded and external at the same time. The problem exists in both situations.
So the problem may be caused by external subtitles.

[JPKribs]

If you are able, can you see if you still have this issue for a file with no external tracks? I believe this the same issue as this:

#1889

Which is just our indexes select incorrectly because track 1 on Jellyfin isn't the same as track 1 on VLC.

[cosminpatrascuro]

Yes, I checked. The files without external subs, are playing audio corectly without my manual interaction.

In this case, is there something I can do, instead of removing external subtitles?

Thanks!

[JPKribs]

Yes, I checked. The files without external subs, are playing audio corectly without my manual interaction.

In this case, is there something I can do, instead of removing external subtitles?

Thanks!

From a user perspective, there isn't a clean workaround. I have a branch where I started working on this that works but I just haven't had the time to finish this. I'm trying to prioritize something else first but I hope I take a look at this as soon as I have a free chance: #1882

[Johns3n]

@JPKribs I have a similar problem on the tvOS app? Could they be the same or should I open a new issue?

[JPKribs]

@JPKribs I have a similar problem on the tvOS app? Could they be the same or should I open a new issue?

Same issue. I have a solution here:

#1882