diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/AudioplayerActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/AudioplayerActivity.java
index 123f66661..3ddf3ed74 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/AudioplayerActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/AudioplayerActivity.java
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package de.danoeh.antennapod.activity;
 
 import android.content.Intent;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.support.v4.view.ViewCompat;
 import android.text.TextUtils;
 import android.util.Log;
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ public class AudioplayerActivity extends MediaplayerInfoActivity {
             launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_SHOULD_STREAM, false);
             launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PREPARE_IMMEDIATELY,
                     true);
-            startService(launchIntent);
+            ContextCompat.startForegroundService(this, launchIntent);
         } else if (PlaybackService.isCasting()) {
             Intent intent = PlaybackService.getPlayerActivityIntent(this);
             if (intent.getComponent() != null &&
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MainActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MainActivity.java
index cb4dae942..c2ea7fc12 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MainActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MainActivity.java
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import android.widget.ListView;
 
 import com.bumptech.glide.Glide;
 
+import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.event.ServiceEvent;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.util.NotificationUtils;
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.ArrayUtils;
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.Validate;
@@ -741,6 +742,15 @@ public class MainActivity extends CastEnabledActivity implements NavDrawerActivi
         loadData();
     }
 
+    public void onEventMainThread(ServiceEvent event) {
+        Log.d(TAG, "onEvent(" + event + ")");
+        switch(event.action) {
+            case SERVICE_STARTED:
+                externalPlayerFragment.connectToPlaybackService();
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+
     public void onEventMainThread(ProgressEvent event) {
         Log.d(TAG, "onEvent(" + event + ")");
         switch(event.action) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MediaplayerActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MediaplayerActivity.java
index 21e375435..116709587 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MediaplayerActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/MediaplayerActivity.java
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import com.joanzapata.iconify.fonts.FontAwesomeIcons;
 import java.util.Locale;
 
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.R;
+import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.event.ServiceEvent;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.feed.FeedItem;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.feed.FeedMedia;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.preferences.UserPreferences;
@@ -270,6 +271,9 @@ public abstract class MediaplayerActivity extends CastEnabledActivity implements
             controller.release();
         }
         controller = newPlaybackController();
+        setupGUI();
+        loadMediaInfo();
+        onPositionObserverUpdate();
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -608,8 +612,23 @@ public abstract class MediaplayerActivity extends CastEnabledActivity implements
         super.onResume();
         Log.d(TAG, "onResume()");
         StorageUtils.checkStorageAvailability(this);
-        if(controller != null) {
-            controller.init();
+        if (controller != null) {
+            if (PlaybackService.isRunning) {
+                controller.init();
+            } else {
+                controller.resumeServiceNotRunning();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void onEventMainThread(ServiceEvent event) {
+        Log.d(TAG, "onEvent(" + event + ")");
+        switch(event.action) {
+            case SERVICE_STARTED:
+                if (controller != null) {
+                    controller.init();
+                }
+                break;
         }
     }
 
@@ -853,6 +872,7 @@ public abstract class MediaplayerActivity extends CastEnabledActivity implements
         if(controller == null) {
             return;
         }
+        controller.init();
         controller.playPause();
     }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/VideoplayerActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/VideoplayerActivity.java
index 733f39b63..e91e96a13 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/VideoplayerActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/activity/VideoplayerActivity.java
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import android.graphics.drawable.ColorDrawable;
 import android.os.Build;
 import android.os.Bundle;
 import android.os.Handler;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.support.v4.view.WindowCompat;
 import android.support.v7.app.ActionBar;
 import android.util.Log;
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.service.playback.PlayerStatus;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.util.gui.PictureInPictureUtil;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.util.playback.ExternalMedia;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.util.playback.Playable;
+import de.danoeh.antennapod.service.PlayerWidgetService;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.view.AspectRatioVideoView;
 
 import java.lang.ref.WeakReference;
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ public class VideoplayerActivity extends MediaplayerActivity {
             launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_SHOULD_STREAM, false);
             launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PREPARE_IMMEDIATELY,
                     true);
-            startService(launchIntent);
+            ContextCompat.startForegroundService(this, launchIntent);
         } else if (PlaybackService.isCasting()) {
             Intent intent = PlaybackService.getPlayerActivityIntent(this);
             if (!intent.getComponent().getClassName().equals(VideoplayerActivity.class.getName())) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/adapter/DefaultActionButtonCallback.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/adapter/DefaultActionButtonCallback.java
index 4a53be9dc..31b0ce333 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/adapter/DefaultActionButtonCallback.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/adapter/DefaultActionButtonCallback.java
@@ -81,9 +81,15 @@ public class DefaultActionButtonCallback implements ActionButtonCallback {
                 }
             } else { // media is downloaded
                 if (item.hasMedia() && item.getMedia().isCurrentlyPlaying()) {
+                    if (!PlaybackService.isRunning) {
+                        PlaybackService.startService(context, media, true, false);
+                    }
                     context.sendBroadcast(new Intent(PlaybackService.ACTION_PAUSE_PLAY_CURRENT_EPISODE));
                 }
                 else if (item.hasMedia() && item.getMedia().isCurrentlyPaused()) {
+                    if (!PlaybackService.isRunning) {
+                        PlaybackService.startService(context, media, true, false);
+                    }
                     context.sendBroadcast(new Intent(PlaybackService.ACTION_RESUME_PLAY_CURRENT_EPISODE));
                 }
                 else {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ExternalPlayerFragment.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ExternalPlayerFragment.java
index 2705e7402..e75f312d3 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ExternalPlayerFragment.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ExternalPlayerFragment.java
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ public class ExternalPlayerFragment extends Fragment {
     private ImageButton butPlay;
     private TextView mFeedName;
     private ProgressBar mProgressBar;
-
     private PlaybackController controller;
 
     public ExternalPlayerFragment() {
@@ -83,6 +82,11 @@ public class ExternalPlayerFragment extends Fragment {
                 controller.playPause();
             }
         });
+        loadMediaInfo();
+    }
+
+    public void connectToPlaybackService() {
+        controller.init();
     }
 
     private PlaybackController setupPlaybackController() {
@@ -123,7 +127,11 @@ public class ExternalPlayerFragment extends Fragment {
     @Override
     public void onResume() {
         super.onResume();
-        controller.init();
+        if (PlaybackService.isRunning) {
+            controller.init();
+        } else {
+            controller.resumeServiceNotRunning();
+        }
         onPositionObserverUpdate();
     }
 
@@ -164,13 +172,12 @@ public class ExternalPlayerFragment extends Fragment {
 
     private boolean loadMediaInfo() {
         Log.d(TAG, "Loading media info");
-        if (controller != null && controller.serviceAvailable()) {
+        if (controller != null) {
             Playable media = controller.getMedia();
             if (media != null) {
                 txtvTitle.setText(media.getEpisodeTitle());
                 mFeedName.setText(media.getFeedTitle());
-                mProgressBar.setProgress((int)
-                        ((double) controller.getPosition() / controller.getDuration() * 100));
+                onPositionObserverUpdate();
 
                 Glide.with(getActivity())
                         .load(media.getImageLocation())
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ItemFragment.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ItemFragment.java
index 2d11e9f71..7078eeb63 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ItemFragment.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ItemFragment.java
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import com.bumptech.glide.Glide;
 import com.joanzapata.iconify.Iconify;
 import com.joanzapata.iconify.widget.IconButton;
 
+import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.service.playback.PlaybackService;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.util.NetworkUtils;
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.ArrayUtils;
 
@@ -243,6 +244,9 @@ public class ItemFragment extends Fragment implements OnSwipeGesture {
             if (item.hasMedia()) {
                 FeedMedia media = item.getMedia();
                 if (!media.isDownloaded()) {
+                    if (!PlaybackService.isRunning) {
+                        PlaybackService.startService(getActivity(), media, true, false);
+                    }
                     DBTasks.playMedia(getActivity(), media, true, true, true);
                     ((MainActivity) getActivity()).dismissChildFragment();
                 } else {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/receiver/PlayerWidget.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/receiver/PlayerWidget.java
index a90f0f706..31242f1fd 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/receiver/PlayerWidget.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/receiver/PlayerWidget.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import android.appwidget.AppWidgetProvider;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.content.SharedPreferences;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.text.TextUtils;
 import android.util.Log;
 
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ public class PlayerWidget extends AppWidgetProvider {
 
     private void startUpdate(Context context) {
         Log.d(TAG, "startUpdate() called with: " + "context = [" + context + "]");
-        context.startService(new Intent(context, PlayerWidgetService.class));
+        ContextCompat.startForegroundService(context, new Intent(context, PlayerWidgetService.class));
     }
 
     private void stopUpdate(Context context) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/layout/external_player_fragment.xml b/app/src/main/res/layout/external_player_fragment.xml
index 0efee08db..dc890807c 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/layout/external_player_fragment.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/layout/external_player_fragment.xml
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
         android:layout_centerVertical="true"
         android:contentDescription="@string/pause_label"
         android:background="?attr/selectableItemBackground"
+        android:src="?attr/av_play_big"
         tools:src="@drawable/ic_play_arrow_white_36dp"/>
 
     <TextView
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/layout/mediaplayerinfo_activity.xml b/app/src/main/res/layout/mediaplayerinfo_activity.xml
index 64738eb45..21c4940b5 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/layout/mediaplayerinfo_activity.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/layout/mediaplayerinfo_activity.xml
@@ -110,9 +110,9 @@
                     android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
                     android:background="?attr/selectableItemBackground"
                     android:contentDescription="@string/pause_label"
-                    android:src="?attr/av_pause"
+                    android:src="?attr/av_play"
                     android:scaleType="fitCenter"
-                    tools:src="@drawable/ic_pause_white_36dp"
+                    tools:src="@drawable/ic_play_arrow_white_24dp"
                     tools:background="@android:color/holo_green_dark" />
 
                 <ImageButton
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/event/ServiceEvent.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/event/ServiceEvent.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b3241a8b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/event/ServiceEvent.java
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+package de.danoeh.antennapod.core.event;
+
+public class ServiceEvent {
+    public enum Action {
+        SERVICE_STARTED
+    }
+
+    public final Action action;
+
+    public ServiceEvent(Action action) {
+        this.action = action;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/receiver/MediaButtonReceiver.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/receiver/MediaButtonReceiver.java
index 9b4b91151..b191dbf8b 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/receiver/MediaButtonReceiver.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/receiver/MediaButtonReceiver.java
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package de.danoeh.antennapod.core.receiver;
 import android.content.BroadcastReceiver;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.util.Log;
 import android.view.KeyEvent;
 
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ public class MediaButtonReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
 			Intent serviceIntent = new Intent(context, PlaybackService.class);
 			serviceIntent.putExtra(EXTRA_KEYCODE, event.getKeyCode());
 			serviceIntent.putExtra(EXTRA_SOURCE, event.getSource());
-			context.startService(serviceIntent);
+			ContextCompat.startForegroundService(context, serviceIntent);
 		}
 
 	}
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/GpodnetSyncService.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/GpodnetSyncService.java
index d022dbf02..48398e0c5 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/GpodnetSyncService.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/GpodnetSyncService.java
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.os.IBinder;
 import android.support.v4.app.NotificationCompat;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.support.v4.util.ArrayMap;
 import android.util.Log;
 import android.util.Pair;
@@ -58,6 +59,18 @@ public class GpodnetSyncService extends Service {
 
     private boolean syncSubscriptions = false;
     private boolean syncActions = false;
+    private static final int NOTIFICATION_ID = 2;
+
+    @Override
+    public void onCreate() {
+        super.onCreate();
+        startForeground(NOTIFICATION_ID,
+                new NotificationCompat.Builder(this, NotificationUtils.CHANNEL_ID_GPODNET)
+                        .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.stat_notify_sync)
+                        .setContentTitle(getString(R.string.gpodnet_main_label))
+                        .setContentText(getString(R.string.synchronizing))
+                        .build());
+    }
 
     @Override
     public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
@@ -110,6 +123,7 @@ public class GpodnetSyncService extends Service {
 
     private synchronized void sync() {
         if (!GpodnetPreferences.loggedIn() || !NetworkUtils.networkAvailable()) {
+            stopForeground(true);
             stopSelf();
             return;
         }
@@ -126,6 +140,7 @@ public class GpodnetSyncService extends Service {
             }
             syncActions = false;
         }
+        stopForeground(true);
         stopSelf();
     }
 
@@ -394,7 +409,7 @@ public class GpodnetSyncService extends Service {
         if (GpodnetPreferences.loggedIn()) {
             Intent intent = new Intent(context, GpodnetSyncService.class);
             intent.putExtra(ARG_ACTION, ACTION_SYNC);
-            context.startService(intent);
+            ContextCompat.startForegroundService(context, intent);
         }
     }
 
@@ -402,7 +417,7 @@ public class GpodnetSyncService extends Service {
         if (GpodnetPreferences.loggedIn()) {
             Intent intent = new Intent(context, GpodnetSyncService.class);
             intent.putExtra(ARG_ACTION, ACTION_SYNC_SUBSCRIPTIONS);
-            context.startService(intent);
+            ContextCompat.startForegroundService(context, intent);
         }
     }
 
@@ -410,7 +425,7 @@ public class GpodnetSyncService extends Service {
         if (GpodnetPreferences.loggedIn()) {
             Intent intent = new Intent(context, GpodnetSyncService.class);
             intent.putExtra(ARG_ACTION, ACTION_SYNC_ACTIONS);
-            context.startService(intent);
+            ContextCompat.startForegroundService(context, intent);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/download/DownloadService.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/download/DownloadService.java
index 24be93415..34cabf564 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/download/DownloadService.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/download/DownloadService.java
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ public class DownloadService extends Service {
 
         setupNotificationBuilders();
         requester = DownloadRequester.getInstance();
+        startForeground(NOTIFICATION_ID, updateNotifications());
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -353,7 +354,7 @@ public class DownloadService extends Service {
 
     /**
      * Updates the contents of the service's notifications. Should be called
-     * before setupNotificationBuilders.
+     * after setupNotificationBuilders.
      */
     private Notification updateNotifications() {
         if (notificationCompatBuilder == null) {
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackService.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackService.java
index 03beec06a..0ec135923 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackService.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/service/playback/PlaybackService.java
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import android.os.Vibrator;
 import android.preference.PreferenceManager;
 import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
 import android.support.annotation.StringRes;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.support.v4.media.MediaBrowserCompat;
 import android.support.v4.media.MediaBrowserServiceCompat;
 import android.support.v4.media.MediaDescriptionCompat;
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.ClientConfig;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.R;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.event.MessageEvent;
+import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.event.ServiceEvent;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.feed.Chapter;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.feed.Feed;
 import de.danoeh.antennapod.core.feed.FeedItem;
@@ -314,6 +316,34 @@ public class PlaybackService extends MediaBrowserServiceCompat {
         flavorHelper.initializeMediaPlayer(PlaybackService.this);
 
         mediaSession.setActive(true);
+
+        NotificationCompat.Builder notificationBuilder = createBasicNotification();
+        startForeground(NOTIFICATION_ID, notificationBuilder.build());
+        EventBus.getDefault().post(new ServiceEvent(ServiceEvent.Action.SERVICE_STARTED));
+
+        SharedPreferences prefs = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(getApplicationContext());
+        long currentlyPlayingMedia = PlaybackPreferences.getCurrentlyPlayingMedia();
+        Playable lastPlayable = Playable.PlayableUtils.createInstanceFromPreferences(
+                getApplicationContext(), (int) currentlyPlayingMedia, prefs);
+        setupNotification(lastPlayable);
+    }
+
+    private NotificationCompat.Builder createBasicNotification() {
+        final int smallIcon = ClientConfig.playbackServiceCallbacks.getNotificationIconResource(getApplicationContext());
+
+        final PendingIntent pIntent = PendingIntent.getActivity(this, 0,
+                PlaybackService.getPlayerActivityIntent(this),
+                PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT);
+
+        return new NotificationCompat.Builder(
+                this, NotificationUtils.CHANNEL_ID_PLAYING)
+                .setContentTitle(getString(R.string.app_name))
+                .setContentText("Service is running") // Just in case the notification is not updated (should not occur)
+                .setOngoing(false)
+                .setContentIntent(pIntent)
+                .setWhen(0) // we don't need the time
+                .setSmallIcon(smallIcon)
+                .setPriority(NotificationCompat.PRIORITY_MIN);
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -568,8 +598,10 @@ public class PlaybackService extends MediaBrowserServiceCompat {
     }
 
     public void notifyVideoSurfaceAbandoned() {
-        stopForeground(!UserPreferences.isPersistNotify());
+        mediaPlayer.pause(true, false);
         mediaPlayer.resetVideoSurface();
+        setupNotification(getPlayable());
+        stopForeground(!UserPreferences.isPersistNotify());
     }
 
     private final PlaybackServiceTaskManager.PSTMCallback taskManagerCallback = new PlaybackServiceTaskManager.PSTMCallback() {
@@ -763,6 +795,15 @@ public class PlaybackService extends MediaBrowserServiceCompat {
         }
     };
 
+    public static void startService(final Context context, final Playable media, boolean startWhenPrepared, boolean shouldStream) {
+        Intent launchIntent = new Intent(context, PlaybackService.class);
+        launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PLAYABLE, media);
+        launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_START_WHEN_PREPARED, startWhenPrepared);
+        launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_SHOULD_STREAM, shouldStream);
+        launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PREPARE_IMMEDIATELY, true);
+        ContextCompat.startForegroundService(context, launchIntent);
+    }
+
     private Playable getNextInQueue(final Playable currentMedia) {
         if (!(currentMedia instanceof FeedMedia)) {
             Log.d(TAG, "getNextInQueue(), but playable not an instance of FeedMedia, so not proceeding");
@@ -1172,10 +1213,10 @@ public class PlaybackService extends MediaBrowserServiceCompat {
      * Prepares notification and starts the service in the foreground.
      */
     private void setupNotification(final PlaybackServiceMediaPlayer.PSMPInfo info) {
-        final PendingIntent pIntent = PendingIntent.getActivity(this, 0,
-                PlaybackService.getPlayerActivityIntent(this),
-                PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT);
+        setupNotification(info.playable);
+    }
 
+    private synchronized void setupNotification(final Playable playable) {
         if (notificationSetupThread != null) {
             notificationSetupThread.interrupt();
         }
@@ -1185,12 +1226,12 @@ public class PlaybackService extends MediaBrowserServiceCompat {
             @Override
             public void run() {
                 Log.d(TAG, "Starting background work");
-                if (info.playable != null) {
+                if (playable != null) {
                     int iconSize = getResources().getDimensionPixelSize(
                             android.R.dimen.notification_large_icon_width);
                     try {
                         icon = Glide.with(PlaybackService.this)
-                                .load(info.playable.getImageLocation())
+                                .load(playable.getImageLocation())
                                 .asBitmap()
                                 .diskCacheStrategy(ApGlideSettings.AP_DISK_CACHE_STRATEGY)
                                 .centerCrop()
@@ -1209,24 +1250,18 @@ public class PlaybackService extends MediaBrowserServiceCompat {
                     return;
                 }
                 PlayerStatus playerStatus = mediaPlayer.getPlayerStatus();
-                final int smallIcon = ClientConfig.playbackServiceCallbacks.getNotificationIconResource(getApplicationContext());
 
-                if (!Thread.currentThread().isInterrupted() && started && info.playable != null) {
-                    String contentText = info.playable.getEpisodeTitle();
-                    String contentTitle = info.playable.getFeedTitle();
+                if (!Thread.currentThread().isInterrupted() && started && playable != null) {
+                    String contentText = playable.getEpisodeTitle();
+                    String contentTitle = playable.getFeedTitle();
                     Notification notification;
 
                     // Builder is v7, even if some not overwritten methods return its parent's v4 interface
-                    NotificationCompat.Builder notificationBuilder = new NotificationCompat.Builder(
-                            PlaybackService.this, NotificationUtils.CHANNEL_ID_PLAYING)
-                            .setContentTitle(contentTitle)
+                    NotificationCompat.Builder notificationBuilder = createBasicNotification();
+                    notificationBuilder.setContentTitle(contentTitle)
                             .setContentText(contentText)
-                            .setOngoing(false)
-                            .setContentIntent(pIntent)
-                            .setLargeIcon(icon)
-                            .setSmallIcon(smallIcon)
-                            .setWhen(0) // we don't need the time
-                            .setPriority(UserPreferences.getNotifyPriority()); // set notification priority
+                            .setPriority(UserPreferences.getNotifyPriority())
+                            .setLargeIcon(icon); // set notification priority
                     IntList compactActionList = new IntList();
 
                     int numActions = 0; // we start and 0 and then increment by 1 for each call to addAction
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/storage/DBTasks.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/storage/DBTasks.java
index 573954412..74f69406f 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/storage/DBTasks.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/storage/DBTasks.java
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.content.SharedPreferences;
 import android.database.Cursor;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.util.Log;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
@@ -123,16 +124,7 @@ public final class DBTasks {
                             media);
                 }
             }
-            // Start playback Service
-            Intent launchIntent = new Intent(context, PlaybackService.class);
-            launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PLAYABLE, media);
-            launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_START_WHEN_PREPARED,
-                    startWhenPrepared);
-            launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_SHOULD_STREAM,
-                    shouldStream);
-            launchIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PREPARE_IMMEDIATELY,
-                    true);
-            context.startService(launchIntent);
+            PlaybackService.startService(context, media, startWhenPrepared, shouldStream);
             if (showPlayer) {
                 // Launch media player
                 context.startActivity(PlaybackService.getPlayerActivityIntent(
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/storage/DownloadRequester.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/storage/DownloadRequester.java
index a8fd79fda..df618e252 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/storage/DownloadRequester.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/storage/DownloadRequester.java
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.os.Bundle;
 import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.text.TextUtils;
 import android.util.Log;
 import android.webkit.URLUtil;
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ public class DownloadRequester {
 
         Intent launchIntent = new Intent(context, DownloadService.class);
         launchIntent.putExtra(DownloadService.EXTRA_REQUEST, request);
-        context.startService(launchIntent);
+        ContextCompat.startForegroundService(context, launchIntent);
 
         return true;
     }
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/NotificationUtils.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/NotificationUtils.java
index f3824294f..e81b03d77 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/NotificationUtils.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/NotificationUtils.java
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ public class NotificationUtils {
     public static final String CHANNEL_ID_DOWNLOADING = "downloading";
     public static final String CHANNEL_ID_PLAYING = "playing";
     public static final String CHANNEL_ID_ERROR = "error";
+    public static final String CHANNEL_ID_GPODNET = "gpodnet";
 
     public static void createChannels(Context context) {
         if (android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < 26) {
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ public class NotificationUtils {
             mNotificationManager.createNotificationChannel(createChannelDownloading(context));
             mNotificationManager.createNotificationChannel(createChannelPlaying(context));
             mNotificationManager.createNotificationChannel(createChannelError(context));
+            mNotificationManager.createNotificationChannel(createChannelGpodnet(context));
         }
     }
 
@@ -59,4 +61,12 @@ public class NotificationUtils {
         mChannel.setDescription(c.getString(R.string.notification_channel_error_description));
         return mChannel;
     }
+
+    @RequiresApi(api = Build.VERSION_CODES.O)
+    private static NotificationChannel createChannelGpodnet(Context c) {
+        NotificationChannel mChannel = new NotificationChannel(CHANNEL_ID_GPODNET,
+                c.getString(R.string.notification_channel_gpodnet), NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_MIN);
+        mChannel.setDescription(c.getString(R.string.notification_channel_gpodnet_description));
+        return mChannel;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/PlaybackController.java b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/PlaybackController.java
index a160b4f0a..79772f015 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/PlaybackController.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/core/util/playback/PlaybackController.java
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import android.os.Build;
 import android.os.IBinder;
 import android.preference.PreferenceManager;
 import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.text.TextUtils;
 import android.util.Log;
 import android.util.Pair;
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
 
     private PlaybackService playbackService;
     private Playable media;
-    private PlayerStatus status;
+    private PlayerStatus status = PlayerStatus.STOPPED;
 
     private final ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor schedExecutor;
     private static final int SCHED_EX_POOLSIZE = 1;
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
 
     private boolean mediaInfoLoaded = false;
     private boolean released = false;
+    private boolean initialized = false;
 
     private Subscription serviceBinder;
 
@@ -92,10 +94,14 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
     }
 
     /**
-     * Creates a new connection to the playbackService. Should be called in the
-     * activity's onResume() method.
+     * Creates a new connection to the playbackService.
      */
-    public void init() {
+    public synchronized void init() {
+        if (initialized) {
+            return;
+        }
+        initialized = true;
+
         activity.registerReceiver(statusUpdate, new IntentFilter(
             PlaybackService.ACTION_PLAYER_STATUS_CHANGED));
 
@@ -167,7 +173,7 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
      */
     private void bindToService() {
         Log.d(TAG, "Trying to connect to service");
-        if(serviceBinder != null) {
+        if (serviceBinder != null) {
             serviceBinder.unsubscribe();
         }
         serviceBinder = Observable.fromCallable(this::getPlayLastPlayedMediaIntent)
@@ -178,7 +184,7 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
                     if (!PlaybackService.started) {
                         if (intent != null) {
                             Log.d(TAG, "Calling start service");
-                            activity.startService(intent);
+                            ContextCompat.startForegroundService(activity, intent);
                             bound = activity.bindService(intent, mConnection, 0);
                         } else {
                             status = PlayerStatus.STOPPED;
@@ -194,32 +200,37 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
                 }, error -> Log.e(TAG, Log.getStackTraceString(error)));
     }
 
+    private Playable getMediaFromPreferences() {
+        long currentlyPlayingMedia = PlaybackPreferences.getCurrentlyPlayingMedia();
+        if (currentlyPlayingMedia != PlaybackPreferences.NO_MEDIA_PLAYING) {
+            SharedPreferences prefs = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(
+                    activity.getApplicationContext());
+            return PlayableUtils.createInstanceFromPreferences(activity,
+                    (int) currentlyPlayingMedia, prefs);
+        }
+        return null;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns an intent that starts the PlaybackService and plays the last
      * played media or null if no last played media could be found.
      */
     private Intent getPlayLastPlayedMediaIntent() {
         Log.d(TAG, "Trying to restore last played media");
-        SharedPreferences prefs = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(
-                activity.getApplicationContext());
-        long currentlyPlayingMedia = PlaybackPreferences.getCurrentlyPlayingMedia();
-        if (currentlyPlayingMedia != PlaybackPreferences.NO_MEDIA_PLAYING) {
-            Playable media = PlayableUtils.createInstanceFromPreferences(activity,
-                    (int) currentlyPlayingMedia, prefs);
-            if (media != null) {
-                Intent serviceIntent = new Intent(activity, PlaybackService.class);
-                serviceIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PLAYABLE, media);
-                serviceIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_START_WHEN_PREPARED, false);
-                serviceIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PREPARE_IMMEDIATELY, true);
-                boolean fileExists = media.localFileAvailable();
-                boolean lastIsStream = PlaybackPreferences.getCurrentEpisodeIsStream();
-                if (!fileExists && !lastIsStream && media instanceof FeedMedia) {
-                    DBTasks.notifyMissingFeedMediaFile(activity, (FeedMedia) media);
-                }
-                serviceIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_SHOULD_STREAM,
-                        lastIsStream || !fileExists);
-                return serviceIntent;
+        Playable media = getMediaFromPreferences();
+        if (media != null) {
+            Intent serviceIntent = new Intent(activity, PlaybackService.class);
+            serviceIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PLAYABLE, media);
+            serviceIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_START_WHEN_PREPARED, false);
+            serviceIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_PREPARE_IMMEDIATELY, true);
+            boolean fileExists = media.localFileAvailable();
+            boolean lastIsStream = PlaybackPreferences.getCurrentEpisodeIsStream();
+            if (!fileExists && !lastIsStream && media instanceof FeedMedia) {
+                DBTasks.notifyMissingFeedMediaFile(activity, (FeedMedia) media);
             }
+            serviceIntent.putExtra(PlaybackService.EXTRA_SHOULD_STREAM,
+                    lastIsStream || !fileExists);
+            return serviceIntent;
         }
         Log.d(TAG, "No last played media found");
         return null;
@@ -511,7 +522,7 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
                         "PlaybackService has no media object. Trying to restore last played media.");
                 Intent serviceIntent = getPlayLastPlayedMediaIntent();
                 if (serviceIntent != null) {
-                    activity.startService(serviceIntent);
+			        ContextCompat.startForegroundService(activity, serviceIntent);
                 }
             }
             */
@@ -576,6 +587,7 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
 
     public void playPause() {
         if (playbackService == null) {
+            PlaybackService.startService(activity, media, true, false);
             Log.w(TAG, "Play/Pause button was pressed, but playbackservice was null!");
             return;
         }
@@ -609,6 +621,8 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
     public int getPosition() {
         if (playbackService != null) {
             return playbackService.getCurrentPosition();
+        } else if (media != null) {
+            return media.getPosition();
         } else {
             return PlaybackService.INVALID_TIME;
         }
@@ -617,12 +631,17 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
     public int getDuration() {
         if (playbackService != null) {
             return playbackService.getDuration();
+        } else if (media != null) {
+            return media.getDuration();
         } else {
             return PlaybackService.INVALID_TIME;
         }
     }
 
     public Playable getMedia() {
+        if (media == null) {
+            media = getMediaFromPreferences();
+        }
         return media;
     }
 
@@ -714,8 +733,13 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
     }
 
     public boolean isPlayingVideoLocally() {
-        return playbackService != null && PlaybackService.getCurrentMediaType() == MediaType.VIDEO
-                && !PlaybackService.isCasting();
+        if (PlaybackService.isCasting()) {
+            return false;
+        } else if (playbackService != null) {
+            return PlaybackService.getCurrentMediaType() == MediaType.VIDEO;
+        } else {
+            return getMedia() != null && getMedia().getMediaType() == MediaType.VIDEO;
+        }
     }
 
     public Pair<Integer, Integer> getVideoSize() {
@@ -755,6 +779,18 @@ public abstract class PlaybackController {
         }
     }
 
+    public void resumeServiceNotRunning() {
+        if (getMedia().getMediaType() == MediaType.AUDIO) {
+            TypedArray res = activity.obtainStyledAttributes(new int[]{
+                    de.danoeh.antennapod.core.R.attr.av_play_big});
+            getPlayButton().setImageResource(
+                    res.getResourceId(0, de.danoeh.antennapod.core.R.drawable.ic_play_arrow_grey600_36dp));
+            res.recycle();
+        } else {
+            getPlayButton().setImageResource(R.drawable.ic_av_play_circle_outline_80dp);
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Refreshes the current position of the media file that is playing.
      */
diff --git a/core/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/core/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index 2e7cc7149..5759912d1 100644
--- a/core/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/core/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
     <string name="free_space_label">%1$s free</string>
     <string name="episode_cache_full_title">Episode cache full</string>
     <string name="episode_cache_full_message">The episode cache limit has been reached. You can increase the cache size in the Settings.</string>
+    <string name="synchronizing">Synchronizing…</string>
 
     <!-- Statistics fragment -->
     <string name="total_time_listened_to_podcasts">Total time of podcasts played:</string>
@@ -719,4 +720,6 @@
     <string name="notification_channel_playing_description">Allows to control playback</string>
     <string name="notification_channel_error">Errors</string>
     <string name="notification_channel_error_description">Shown if something went wrong</string>
+    <string name="notification_channel_gpodnet">gpodder.net</string>
+    <string name="notification_channel_gpodnet_description">Shown while currently synchronizing</string>
 </resources>