In the Commons app, enable playing videos and audios (Community Wishlist/W479)
Currently audio files and videos can't be played within the Commons Android app. For me, that would be the main use of the app so I don't use it. I think it's similar for many users and potential users.
Audio files are an important major part of Commons. There are many files in Audio files of music and Audiobooks and so on. I think the main use would be for listening to spoken Wikipedia audios (eg I listen to these which are up-to-date), similar to podcasts (just usually more interesting).
I think AudioAnchor could be used since it's also in Java but there's probably lots of audiobook/podcast/audio players that could be used for this (please add any other potential ones below). Key functions would be (1) A button to jump back 10 seconds and (2) A full-width audio progress bar so you jump around / go forward and backward like in basically any audio player app.
For videos, especially explanatory videos would be useful/important. Another example are Wikimania talks (often not on YouTube) and various other things, such as simply benefiting from the category-organization to find files. Commons has over 360,000 videos now so there's good-quality videos for all sorts of subjects – see c:Commons:Video.
The app is currently developed by volunteers, not the WMF. The GitHub issues are:
-
Not many people know of and use the Commons app – the open source NewPipe app is more popular so I still think W395: Add support for Wikimedia Commons in the open source NewPipe media player app is a valid wish and would be preferable to this (more impactful, bigger potential) -
Rough idea concept sketch (here partly the open source Shikwasa and assuming audio chapters are implemented)
.png)
Unassigned
Potential/future Commons app users
- Created: 00:06, 5 December 2025
- Last updated: 17:16, 27 March 2026
- Author: Prototyperspective (talk)
This wish currently has 4 supporters. Voting for this wish is open until it is completed.