Can't beginReceivingRemoteControlEvents in iOS

I have done the same work in my project, it's working fine. Please follow this, perhaps it will help you. Change the event name etc. In my code _audio is the object of AVAudioPlayer.

- (void)viewDidLoad {    NSError *setCategoryErr = nil;    NSError *activationErr  = nil;    [[AVAudioSession sharedInstance] setCategory: AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback error: &setCategoryErr];    [[AVAudioSession sharedInstance] setActive: YES error: &activationErr];}- (void)viewWillAppear {      [[UIApplication sharedApplication] beginReceivingRemoteControlEvents];    [self becomeFirstResponder];}- (void)remoteControlReceivedWithEvent:(UIEvent *)event {    switch (event.subtype) {        case UIEventSubtypeRemoteControlPlay:            [_audio play];            break;        case UIEventSubtypeRemoteControlPause:            [_audio pause];            break;        default:            break;    }}

There is a newer mechanism for listening to remote control events. For example, to execute a block when the headphone play/pause button is pressed:

    MPRemoteCommandCenter *commandCenter = [MPRemoteCommandCenter sharedCommandCenter];    [commandCenter.togglePlayPauseCommand addTargetWithHandler:^MPRemoteCommandHandlerStatus(MPRemoteCommandEvent * _Nonnull event) {        NSLog(@"toggle button pressed");        return MPRemoteCommandHandlerStatusSuccess;    }];

or, if you prefer to use a method instead of a block:

    [commandCenter.togglePlayPauseCommand addTarget:self action:@selector(toggleButtonAction)];

To stop:

    [commandCenter.togglePlayPauseCommand removeTarget:self];

or:

    [commandCenter.togglePlayPauseCommand removeTarget:self action:@selector(toggleButtonAction)];

You'll need to add this to the includes area of your file:

@import MediaPlayer;

For it to work in the background, you must have the background audio mode added to your app's capabilities.

Review this sample code from Apple for an example of usage. Likely your primary view controller is not actually becoming the first responder. An alternative usage is to place this code in your Application Delegate (which will always be the first responder) and respond to these events before they have had a chance to propagate, and potentially be consumed by other responders.