---
title: prepareToPlay()
framework: mediaplayer
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: mediaplayer/mpmediaplayback/preparetoplay()
---

# prepareToPlay()

Prepares a media player for playback.

## Declaration

```swift
func prepareToPlay()
```

## Discussion

Discussion If a media player isn’t already prepared to play when you call the play() method, that method automatically calls this method. However, to minimize playback delay, call this method before you call play(). Calling this method may interrupt the media player’s audio session. For information on interruptions and how to respond to them, see Audio Session Programming Guide.

## See Also

### Starting and stopping playback

- [play()](mediaplayer/mpmediaplayback/play().md)
- [pause()](mediaplayer/mpmediaplayback/pause().md)
- [stop()](mediaplayer/mpmediaplayback/stop().md)
- [isPreparedToPlay](mediaplayer/mpmediaplayback/ispreparedtoplay.md)