diff --git a/android/app/src/main/java/com/fabledsword/minstrel/player/RemotePlayerState.kt b/android/app/src/main/java/com/fabledsword/minstrel/player/RemotePlayerState.kt
index 0ffde318..bbaab6db 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/java/com/fabledsword/minstrel/player/RemotePlayerState.kt
+++ b/android/app/src/main/java/com/fabledsword/minstrel/player/RemotePlayerState.kt
@@ -27,6 +27,13 @@ class RemotePlayerState @Inject constructor() {
     @Volatile var lastError: Throwable? = null; private set
     @Volatile var trackNumber: Int = 0; private set
 
+    // The operator's last explicit transport intent (play=true, pause=false),
+    // distinct from the observed remote isPlaying. handleRemoteDrop resumes
+    // local playback based on THIS, not isPlaying -- so a play() that fails
+    // its SOAP (stale/dead renderer) still resumes on the phone instead of
+    // swallowing the tap. Deliberately NOT cleared by applyError.
+    @Volatile var lastPlayIntent: Boolean = false; private set
+
     // Pending-transport deadline (SystemClock.elapsedRealtime() at which we
     // give up waiting). When > 0, a user transport action (next/prev/seekTo
     // idx) is in flight: ForwardingPlayer has already moved the wrapped
@@ -63,6 +70,8 @@ class RemotePlayerState @Inject constructor() {
         positionMs = 0L
     }
 
+    fun setPlayIntent(intended: Boolean) { lastPlayIntent = intended }
+
     fun applyError(t: Throwable) {
         isPlaying = false
         lastError = t
@@ -80,6 +89,7 @@ class RemotePlayerState @Inject constructor() {
         positionMs = 0L
         durationMs = 0L
         isPlaying = false
+        lastPlayIntent = false
         currentTrackUri = ""
         lastError = null
         consecutivePollFailures = 0
diff --git a/android/app/src/test/java/com/fabledsword/minstrel/player/RemotePlayerStateTest.kt b/android/app/src/test/java/com/fabledsword/minstrel/player/RemotePlayerStateTest.kt
index bb0c0224..b597187a 100644
--- a/android/app/src/test/java/com/fabledsword/minstrel/player/RemotePlayerStateTest.kt
+++ b/android/app/src/test/java/com/fabledsword/minstrel/player/RemotePlayerStateTest.kt
@@ -69,6 +69,32 @@ class RemotePlayerStateTest {
         assertFalse(state.recordPollFailure())
     }
 
+    @Test
+    fun `play intent survives a SOAP error so a failed play can resume locally`() {
+        val state = RemotePlayerState()
+        state.setPlayIntent(true)
+        state.applyError(RuntimeException("connect timeout"))
+        // isPlaying is cleared by the error, but the operator's intent persists.
+        assertFalse(state.isPlaying)
+        assertTrue(state.lastPlayIntent)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `pausing clears play intent`() {
+        val state = RemotePlayerState()
+        state.setPlayIntent(true)
+        state.setPlayIntent(false)
+        assertFalse(state.lastPlayIntent)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `reset clears play intent`() {
+        val state = RemotePlayerState()
+        state.setPlayIntent(true)
+        state.reset()
+        assertFalse(state.lastPlayIntent)
+    }
+
     private companion object {
         const val DROP_THRESHOLD = 30
     }