Fallback apps (display)
Fallback apps are your safety net per screen: they define what a display shows when the regular content can't be played for once – for example because the screen is offline, a live app fails to load data, or a Layout won't start. This way the Screen never goes black.
What are fallback apps?
In normal operation, a display plays its assigned content (Playlist, Layout or app – shown in detail under „Wird jetzt ausgespielt“ (currently playing)). If this content fails, the fallback kicks in: instead of an error message or a black screen, the Player shows a pre-configured fallback app. The setting applies per display and is managed directly on the display detail page.
Especially at public locations (branch, shop window, reception), an empty screen is visibly embarrassing. A fallback app – e.g. a still image, the time, a brand video or an info page – bridges outages inconspicuously.
Where do I find the setting?
Open Screens and select the desired display. On the display detail page you'll find – at the very bottom, after the Address, Statistics and Report sections – the expandable Fallback Apps area. As long as nothing is configured yet, it says „Keine Fallback-Apps konfiguriert“ (no fallback apps configured).
When you expand the area, it looks like this – with the info icon (ⓘ) on the right edge for the brief hint:
Setting up a fallback app
- Open Screens in the menu on the left and click the display.
- Scroll down to the Fallback Apps section and expand it.
- Fallback-App hinzufügen (add fallback app) and select the desired app or replacement content.
- Save – the setting is transferred to the Player at the next sync.
So that the fallback also works during an internet outage, it should not require live data (e.g. a locally stored image or video). A fallback app that itself needs an internet connection won't help in the offline case.
When does the fallback kick in?
The Player automatically switches to the fallback app as soon as the regular content is unavailable – typically when the device goes offline or an embedded live app fails to load. You can see the current connection state in the right column under Gerät (device, status online/offline) as well as under Status.
Tips
- Set up fallback apps especially at unattended locations – that's where a black screen stands out the most.
- Combine the fallback with the Emergency Channel if you want to centrally force the same content on all Screens in an emergency.
- After setup, briefly check the preview to see whether the replacement content appears as intended.
Emergency Channel · Restart display · Services & status of a Screen