diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/constants/IntentData.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/constants/IntentData.kt
index a257df47d..cbce36a21 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/constants/IntentData.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/constants/IntentData.kt
@@ -15,4 +15,5 @@ object IntentData {
     const val openAudioPlayer = "openAudioPlayer"
     const val fragmentToOpen = "fragmentToOpen"
     const val comment = "comment"
+    const val minimizeByDefault = "minimizeByDefault"
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/helpers/NavigationHelper.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/helpers/NavigationHelper.kt
index 2f314dc7b..6475c5cb0 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/helpers/NavigationHelper.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/helpers/NavigationHelper.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package com.github.libretube.helpers
 
 import android.app.NotificationManager
 import android.content.Context
-import android.content.ContextWrapper
 import android.content.Intent
 import android.os.Handler
 import android.os.Looper
@@ -17,7 +16,6 @@ import com.github.libretube.constants.IntentData
 import com.github.libretube.constants.PreferenceKeys
 import com.github.libretube.enums.PlaylistType
 import com.github.libretube.extensions.toID
-import com.github.libretube.ui.activities.MainActivity
 import com.github.libretube.ui.fragments.AudioPlayerFragment
 import com.github.libretube.ui.fragments.PlayerFragment
 import com.github.libretube.ui.views.SingleViewTouchableMotionLayout
@@ -108,10 +106,13 @@ object NavigationHelper {
     /**
      * Start the audio player fragment
      */
-    fun startAudioPlayer(context: Context) {
+    fun startAudioPlayer(context: Context, minimizeByDefault: Boolean = false) {
         val activity = ContextHelper.unwrapActivity(context)
         activity.supportFragmentManager.commitNow {
-            replace<AudioPlayerFragment>(R.id.container)
+            val audioPlayerFragment = AudioPlayerFragment().apply {
+                arguments = bundleOf(IntentData.minimizeByDefault to minimizeByDefault)
+            }
+            replace(R.id.container, audioPlayerFragment)
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/activities/MainActivity.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/activities/MainActivity.kt
index aa61d458e..b68735f07 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/activities/MainActivity.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/activities/MainActivity.kt
@@ -284,12 +284,6 @@ class MainActivity : BaseActivity() {
         searchView.onActionViewCollapsed()
     }
 
-    override fun onPrepareOptionsMenu(menu: Menu?): Boolean {
-        menu?.findItem(R.id.action_audio)?.isVisible =
-            BackgroundHelper.isBackgroundServiceRunning(this)
-        return super.onPrepareOptionsMenu(menu)
-    }
-
     private fun isSearchInProgress(): Boolean {
         if (!::navController.isInitialized) return false
         val id = navController.currentDestination?.id ?: return false
@@ -407,10 +401,6 @@ class MainActivity : BaseActivity() {
                 startActivity(helpIntent)
                 true
             }
-            R.id.action_audio -> {
-                NavigationHelper.startAudioPlayer(this)
-                true
-            }
             else -> super.onOptionsItemSelected(item)
         }
     }
@@ -481,17 +471,15 @@ class MainActivity : BaseActivity() {
             (fragment as? PlayerFragment)?.binding?.apply {
                 mainContainer.isClickable = false
                 linLayout.visibility = View.VISIBLE
+                playerMotionLayout.setTransitionDuration(250)
+                playerMotionLayout.transitionToEnd()
+                playerMotionLayout.getConstraintSet(R.id.start).constrainHeight(R.id.player, 0)
+                playerMotionLayout.enableTransition(R.id.yt_transition, true)
             }
-        }
-        supportFragmentManager.fragments.forEach { fragment ->
-            (fragment as? PlayerFragment)?.binding?.playerMotionLayout?.apply {
-                // set the animation duration
-                setTransitionDuration(250)
-                transitionToEnd()
-                getConstraintSet(R.id.start).constrainHeight(R.id.player, 0)
-                enableTransition(R.id.yt_transition, true)
+            (fragment as? AudioPlayerFragment)?.binding?.apply {
+                audioPlayerContainer.isClickable = false
+                playerMotionLayout.transitionToEnd()
             }
-            (fragment as? AudioPlayerFragment)?.binding?.playerMotionLayout?.transitionToEnd()
         }
 
         val playerViewModel = ViewModelProvider(this)[PlayerViewModel::class.java]
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/fragments/AudioPlayerFragment.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/fragments/AudioPlayerFragment.kt
index f13a13ddd..197ab7ef7 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/fragments/AudioPlayerFragment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/fragments/AudioPlayerFragment.kt
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import androidx.fragment.app.activityViewModels
 import androidx.fragment.app.commit
 import com.github.libretube.R
 import com.github.libretube.api.obj.StreamItem
+import com.github.libretube.constants.IntentData
 import com.github.libretube.databinding.FragmentAudioPlayerBinding
 import com.github.libretube.enums.ShareObjectType
 import com.github.libretube.extensions.normalize
@@ -220,8 +221,13 @@ class AudioPlayerFragment : Fragment(), AudioPlayerOptions {
             }
         })
 
-        binding.playerMotionLayout.progress = 1.toFloat()
-        binding.playerMotionLayout.transitionToStart()
+        if (arguments?.getBoolean(IntentData.minimizeByDefault, false) != true) {
+            binding.playerMotionLayout.progress = 1f
+            binding.playerMotionLayout.transitionToStart()
+        } else {
+            binding.playerMotionLayout.progress = 0f
+            binding.playerMotionLayout.transitionToEnd()
+        }
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/sheets/VideoOptionsBottomSheet.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/sheets/VideoOptionsBottomSheet.kt
index 07e4e86d3..b098a3807 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/sheets/VideoOptionsBottomSheet.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/sheets/VideoOptionsBottomSheet.kt
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package com.github.libretube.ui.sheets
 
 import android.os.Bundle
+import android.os.Handler
+import android.os.Looper
 import androidx.navigation.fragment.NavHostFragment
 import com.github.libretube.R
 import com.github.libretube.api.RetrofitInstance
@@ -10,6 +12,7 @@ import com.github.libretube.db.DatabaseHolder
 import com.github.libretube.db.obj.WatchPosition
 import com.github.libretube.enums.ShareObjectType
 import com.github.libretube.helpers.BackgroundHelper
+import com.github.libretube.helpers.NavigationHelper
 import com.github.libretube.helpers.PlayerHelper
 import com.github.libretube.helpers.PreferenceHelper
 import com.github.libretube.obj.ShareData
@@ -66,6 +69,7 @@ class VideoOptionsBottomSheet(
                 // Start the background mode
                 getString(R.string.playOnBackground) -> {
                     BackgroundHelper.playOnBackground(requireContext(), videoId)
+                    NavigationHelper.startAudioPlayer(requireContext(), true)
                 }
                 // Add Video to Playlist Dialog
                 getString(R.string.addToPlaylist) -> {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/views/SingleViewTouchableMotionLayout.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/views/SingleViewTouchableMotionLayout.kt
index 31cfff8e9..98e8e526d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/views/SingleViewTouchableMotionLayout.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/views/SingleViewTouchableMotionLayout.kt
@@ -81,7 +81,9 @@ class SingleViewTouchableMotionLayout(context: Context, attributeSet: AttributeS
     override fun onTouchEvent(event: MotionEvent): Boolean {
         gestureDetector.onTouchEvent(event)
 
-        // gestureDetector.onTouchEvent(event)
+        // don't react when trying to minimize audio player with gestures
+        if (viewToDetectTouch.id == R.id.audio_player_container && progress != 1f) return true
+
         when (event.actionMasked) {
             MotionEvent.ACTION_UP, MotionEvent.ACTION_CANCEL -> {
                 touchStarted = false
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/layout/fragment_audio_player.xml b/app/src/main/res/layout/fragment_audio_player.xml
index 7846bb7f5..c6acee271 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/layout/fragment_audio_player.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/layout/fragment_audio_player.xml
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<com.github.libretube.ui.views.SingleViewTouchableMotionLayout
-    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+<com.github.libretube.ui.views.SingleViewTouchableMotionLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
     xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
     xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
     android:id="@+id/playerMotionLayout"
@@ -15,7 +14,7 @@
         android:background="?android:attr/colorBackground"
         app:layout_constraintEnd_toEndOf="parent"
         app:layout_constraintStart_toStartOf="parent"
-        app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf="parent"/>
+        app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf="parent" />
 
     <LinearLayout
         android:id="@+id/audio_player_main"
@@ -33,20 +32,22 @@
             android:padding="20dp">
 
             <ImageView
-                android:layout_gravity="center|start"
                 android:id="@+id/minimize_player"
-                android:src="@drawable/ic_arrow_down"
-                android:background="?selectableItemBackgroundBorderless"
                 android:layout_width="wrap_content"
-                android:layout_height="wrap_content"/>
+                android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+                android:layout_gravity="center|start"
+                android:background="?selectableItemBackgroundBorderless"
+                android:src="@drawable/ic_arrow_down" />
 
             <ImageView
                 android:id="@+id/dropdown_menu"
-                android:src="@drawable/ic_three_dots"
+                android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+                android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                 android:layout_gravity="center|end"
                 android:background="?selectableItemBackgroundBorderless"
-                android:layout_width="20dp"
-                android:layout_height="20dp"/>
+                android:scaleX="0.8"
+                android:scaleY="0.8"
+                android:src="@drawable/ic_three_dots" />
 
         </FrameLayout>
 
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@
                 android:adjustViewBounds="true"
                 android:scaleType="fitCenter"
                 app:shapeAppearanceOverlay="@style/ShapeAppearance.Material3.Corner.Small"
-                tools:src="@tools:sample/backgrounds/scenic"/>
+                tools:src="@tools:sample/backgrounds/scenic" />
 
             <LinearLayout
                 android:id="@+id/volumeControls"
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@
                     android:id="@+id/volume_textView"
                     style="@style/SwipeControlString"
                     android:layout_gravity="center"
-                    app:autoSizeTextType="uniform"/>
+                    app:autoSizeTextType="uniform" />
 
                 <ProgressBar
                     android:id="@+id/volume_progressBar"
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@
                     android:layout_height="100dp"
                     android:layout_gravity="center"
                     android:layout_marginVertical="4dp"
-                    android:progressDrawable="@drawable/vertical_progressbar"/>
+                    android:progressDrawable="@drawable/vertical_progressbar" />
 
                 <ImageView
                     android:id="@+id/volume_imageView"
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@
                     android:layout_height="24dp"
                     android:layout_gravity="center"
                     android:contentDescription="@string/volume"
-                    android:src="@drawable/ic_volume_up"/>
+                    android:src="@drawable/ic_volume_up" />
 
             </LinearLayout>
 
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@
                 android:id="@+id/progress"
                 android:layout_width="wrap_content"
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-                android:layout_gravity="center"/>
+                android:layout_gravity="center" />
 
         </FrameLayout>
 
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@
                 style="@style/TextViewMarquee"
                 android:layout_width="match_parent"
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-                android:textSize="24sp"/>
+                android:textSize="24sp" />
 
             <TextView
                 android:id="@+id/uploader"
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@
                 android:layout_width="match_parent"
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                 android:layout_marginTop="10dp"
-                android:textSize="18sp"/>
+                android:textSize="18sp" />
 
         </LinearLayout>
 
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@
             android:layout_width="match_parent"
             android:layout_height="wrap_content"
             android:layout_marginHorizontal="20dp"
-            app:labelBehavior="gone"/>
+            app:labelBehavior="gone" />
 
         <FrameLayout
             android:layout_width="match_parent"
@@ -150,14 +151,14 @@
                 android:layout_width="wrap_content"
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                 android:layout_gravity="start|center"
-                tools:text="00:00"/>
+                tools:text="00:00" />
 
             <TextView
                 android:id="@+id/duration"
                 android:layout_width="wrap_content"
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                 android:layout_gravity="end|center"
-                tools:text="10:15"/>
+                tools:text="10:15" />
 
         </FrameLayout>
 
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@
                 android:layout_gravity="center"
                 android:layout_marginHorizontal="20dp"
                 android:background="?attr/selectableItemBackgroundBorderless"
-                android:src="@drawable/ic_prev"/>
+                android:src="@drawable/ic_prev" />
 
             <com.google.android.material.button.MaterialButton
                 android:id="@+id/play_pause"
@@ -187,7 +188,7 @@
                 android:insetBottom="0dp"
                 app:icon="@drawable/ic_pause"
                 app:iconSize="24dp"
-                app:shapeAppearanceOverlay="@style/ShapeAppearance.Material3.Corner.Full"/>
+                app:shapeAppearanceOverlay="@style/ShapeAppearance.Material3.Corner.Full" />
 
             <ImageView
                 android:id="@+id/next"
@@ -196,7 +197,7 @@
                 android:layout_gravity="center"
                 android:layout_marginHorizontal="20dp"
                 android:background="?attr/selectableItemBackgroundBorderless"
-                android:src="@drawable/ic_next"/>
+                android:src="@drawable/ic_next" />
 
         </LinearLayout>
 
@@ -217,29 +218,29 @@
                 <ImageView
                     android:id="@+id/open_queue"
                     style="@style/AudioPlayerButton"
-                    android:src="@drawable/ic_queue"/>
+                    android:src="@drawable/ic_queue" />
 
                 <ImageView
                     android:id="@+id/playback_options"
                     style="@style/AudioPlayerButton"
                     android:layout_width="27dp"
                     android:layout_height="27dp"
-                    android:src="@drawable/ic_speed"/>
+                    android:src="@drawable/ic_speed" />
 
                 <ImageView
                     android:id="@+id/open_video"
                     style="@style/AudioPlayerButton"
-                    android:src="@drawable/ic_video"/>
+                    android:src="@drawable/ic_video" />
 
                 <ImageView
                     android:id="@+id/share"
                     style="@style/AudioPlayerButton"
-                    android:src="@drawable/ic_share"/>
+                    android:src="@drawable/ic_share" />
 
                 <ImageView
                     android:id="@+id/close"
                     style="@style/AudioPlayerButton"
-                    android:src="@drawable/ic_close"/>
+                    android:src="@drawable/ic_close" />
 
             </LinearLayout>
 
@@ -263,7 +264,7 @@
             android:layout_width="96dp"
             android:layout_height="match_parent"
             android:background="?attr/selectableItemBackgroundBorderless"
-            android:padding="8dp"/>
+            android:padding="8dp" />
 
         <TextView
             android:id="@+id/miniPlayerTitle"
@@ -274,7 +275,7 @@
             android:ellipsize="end"
             android:maxLines="1"
             android:paddingHorizontal="8dp"
-            android:paddingVertical="15dp"/>
+            android:paddingVertical="15dp" />
 
         <ImageView
             android:id="@+id/miniPlayerPause"
@@ -283,7 +284,7 @@
             android:layout_gravity="center"
             android:background="?attr/selectableItemBackgroundBorderless"
             android:padding="8dp"
-            android:src="@drawable/ic_pause"/>
+            android:src="@drawable/ic_pause" />
 
         <ImageView
             android:id="@+id/miniPlayerClose"
@@ -292,7 +293,7 @@
             android:layout_gravity="center"
             android:background="?attr/selectableItemBackgroundBorderless"
             android:padding="8dp"
-            android:src="@drawable/ic_close"/>
+            android:src="@drawable/ic_close" />
 
     </LinearLayout>
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/menu/action_bar.xml b/app/src/main/res/menu/action_bar.xml
index 5318e5424..d92659756 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/menu/action_bar.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/menu/action_bar.xml
@@ -25,10 +25,4 @@
         android:title="@string/about"
         app:showAsAction="never" />
 
-    <item
-        android:visible="false"
-        android:id="@+id/action_audio"
-        android:title="@string/audio_player"
-        app:showAsAction="never" />
-
 </menu>
\ No newline at end of file