This free jailbreak tweak makes the Now Playing widget more persistent

iOS’ Now Playing widget allows music listeners to quickly control their current media playback from the convenience of the Lock Screen and/or Notification Center. On the other hand, the operating system only displays this widget when you have media playing.

Assuming you wish to use this widget to jump-start media playback instead of having to unlock your iPhone or iPad and visit your media streaming app of choice, a new and free jailbreak tweak called AlwaysShowMediaControls by iOS developer level3tjg may offer some assistance.

If you couldn’t already tell by the tweak’s rather conspicuous name, AlwaysShowMediaControls effectively forces iOS to persistently display the Now Playing widget on your Lock Screen and in Notification Center regardless of your media playback status.

At first glance, it may seem like a pointless tweak since there isn’t any media to control with a dormant widget; on the other hand, a quick tap of the play button on said ‘dormant’ widget reveals that it can jump-start your media playback without ever having to launch your preferred media streaming app.

So why is this a big deal? Well for starters, those feeling too lazy to open their media streaming app to begin playback will find that AlwaysShowMediaControls saves you a few taps. It’s also convenient post-respring when your music playback finds itself being interrupted. The widget conveniently remembers your most recent playback, too.

Obviously, if you prefer when iOS auto-hides the Now Playing widget, you should probably shy away from AlwaysShowMediaControls, as it won’t serve you in any way.

While the uses are certainly niche, those who want a persistent Now Playing widget now have somewhere to go, and it’s all thanks to level3tjg. Having said that, the AlwaysShowMediaControls tweak is available as a free download from level3tjg’s personal repository via any package manager app and supports jailbroken iOS 13 & 14 devices.

If you aren’t already using level3tjg’s personal repository, then you can add it to your package manager app of choice by using the URL provided below:

https://level3tjg.me/repo/

Do you have a reason to use a persistent Now Playing widget on your pwned iPhone or iPad? Be sure to let us know what that reason is in the comments section down below!