New in version 1.5.7
Improved handling of invalid podcast feed entries.
Audiobook and podcast player built for seniors, visually impaired and non-tech-savvy listeners who need an easy way to play audio. Instead of complex menus and unnecessary features, Homer offers a clear, minimal interface focused on one thing: easy audiobook and podcast playback.
Use the special "lockdown mode" to turn an Android tablet into a dedicated, single-purpose audiobook and podcast device.
Designed for:
- Elderly who want simple, independent listening
- Visually impaired users who benefit from large controls and spoken titles
- Non-tech-savvy users who find standard apps overwhelming
- People with cognitive challenges who need basic functionality
Easy to use:
- Large, easy-to-tap buttons
- Simple navigation with swipe left/right
- Flat content structure (no deep nested folders)
- No ads, no pop-ups, no distracting clutter
- Optional title read-aloud for accessibility
- Flip-to-stop: place device screen-down to pause playback
Lockdown mode:
- only playback functionality
- blocks exiting the app
- hides settings
- no access to other apps, notifications nor settings
Audiobooks:
- Play DRM-free audiobooks from device storage
- Resume position saved separately for each book
Podcasts:
- Automatically updates to show the latest 1-5 episodes
- Downloads full episodes for reliable offline playback
Caregiver-managed setup (secondary role):
- A caregiver configures content and settings in advance
- Optional lockdown mode hides all apps and functionality except the player
- Device is prepared once, then used independently by the listener
Additional features:
- High-contrast light and dark themes
- Customizable controls: volume, chapter skip, forward, rewind
- Adjustable playback speed
- Sleep timer with shake-to-continue
How it works:
1. Install Homer on an Android 7+ phone or tablet.
2. Add audiobooks/podcasts and adjust the interface as needed.
3. Optionally lock or hide settings.
4. Hand the device to the listener for simple, independent daily use.
Homer makes audiobook and podcast listening accessible for people who cannot comfortably use standard smartphone apps.
Versions
Although APK downloads are available below to give you the choice, you should be aware that by installing that way you will not receive update notifications and it's a less secure way to download. We recommend that you install the F-Droid client and use that.
Download F-Droid
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arm64-v8a
armeabi-v7a
x86
x86_64
This version requires Android 6.0 or newer.
It is built and signed by the original developer, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
-
view network connections
Allows the app to view information about network connections such as which networks exist and are connected.
-
run foreground service
Allows the app to make use of foreground services.
-
run foreground service with the type "mediaPlayback"
Allows the app to make use of foreground services with the type "mediaPlayback"
-
have full network access
Allows the app to create network sockets and use custom network protocols. The browser and other applications provide means to send data to the internet, so this permission is not required to send data to the internet.
-
run at startup
Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.
-
control vibration
Allows the app to control the vibrator.
-
prevent phone from sleeping
Allows the app to prevent the phone from going to sleep.
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android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
-
com.studio4plus.homerplayer2.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
-
com.studio4plus.homerplayer2.kiosk.permission.KIOSK_RESUME
Download APK
4.3 MiB
PGP Signature
|
Build Log
New in version 1.5.6
Added new language: Chinese Simplified
Fixed dark/light theme occasionally being incorrect
-
arm64-v8a
armeabi-v7a
x86
x86_64
This version requires Android 6.0 or newer.
It is built and signed by the original developer, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
-
view network connections
Allows the app to view information about network connections such as which networks exist and are connected.
-
run foreground service
Allows the app to make use of foreground services.
-
run foreground service with the type "mediaPlayback"
Allows the app to make use of foreground services with the type "mediaPlayback"
-
have full network access
Allows the app to create network sockets and use custom network protocols. The browser and other applications provide means to send data to the internet, so this permission is not required to send data to the internet.
-
run at startup
Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.
-
control vibration
Allows the app to control the vibrator.
-
prevent phone from sleeping
Allows the app to prevent the phone from going to sleep.
-
android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
-
com.studio4plus.homerplayer2.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
-
com.studio4plus.homerplayer2.kiosk.permission.KIOSK_RESUME
Download APK
4.3 MiB
PGP Signature
|
Build Log
New in version 1.5.5
Improved sleep timer: when playback is stopped by timer, position is rewound by
half of the timer setting.
-
arm64-v8a
armeabi-v7a
x86
x86_64
This version requires Android 6.0 or newer.
It is built and signed by the original developer, and guaranteed to correspond to this source tarball.
Permissions
-
view network connections
Allows the app to view information about network connections such as which networks exist and are connected.
-
run foreground service
Allows the app to make use of foreground services.
-
run foreground service with the type "mediaPlayback"
Allows the app to make use of foreground services with the type "mediaPlayback"
-
have full network access
Allows the app to create network sockets and use custom network protocols. The browser and other applications provide means to send data to the internet, so this permission is not required to send data to the internet.
-
run at startup
Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.
-
control vibration
Allows the app to control the vibrator.
-
prevent phone from sleeping
Allows the app to prevent the phone from going to sleep.
-
android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
-
com.studio4plus.homerplayer2.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
-
com.studio4plus.homerplayer2.kiosk.permission.KIOSK_RESUME
Download APK
4.2 MiB
PGP Signature
|
Build Log
