diff --git a/src/contexts/HTMLContext.tsx b/src/contexts/HTMLContext.tsx
index f46ef62..0ea5416 100644
--- a/src/contexts/HTMLContext.tsx
+++ b/src/contexts/HTMLContext.tsx
@@ -4,11 +4,12 @@ import {
   createContext,
   useContext,
   useState,
+  useEffect,
   ReactNode,
   useCallback,
   useMemo,
 } from 'react';
-import { getHtmlDocument } from '@/lib/dexie';
+import { getHtmlDocument, getLastChapterIndex, setLastDocumentLocation } from '@/lib/dexie';
 import { useTTS } from '@/contexts/TTSContext';
 import { detectChapters, type Chapter } from '@/lib/chapterDetection';
 import type { TTSAudiobookChapter } from '@/types/tts';
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ export function HTMLProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
   const [currDocData, setCurrDocData] = useState<string>();
   const [currDocName, setCurrDocName] = useState<string>();
   const [currDocText, setCurrDocText] = useState<string>();
+  const [currDocId, setCurrDocId] = useState<string>();
 
   // Chapter state
   const [chapters, setChapters] = useState<Chapter[]>([]);
@@ -71,6 +73,7 @@ export function HTMLProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
     setCurrDocData(undefined);
     setCurrDocName(undefined);
     setCurrDocText(undefined);
+    setCurrDocId(undefined);
     setChapters([]);
     setCurrentChapterIndex(0);
     stop();
@@ -86,6 +89,7 @@ export function HTMLProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
     try {
       const doc = await getHtmlDocument(id);
       if (doc) {
+        setCurrDocId(id);
         setCurrDocName(doc.name);
 
         // Detect chapters in the document (splits large files)
@@ -95,16 +99,23 @@ export function HTMLProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
           // Document has been split into chapters
           console.log(`Document split into ${detectedChapters.length} chapters`);
           setChapters(detectedChapters);
-          setCurrentChapterIndex(0);
 
-          // Display only the first chapter
-          const firstChapter = detectedChapters[0];
-          setCurrDocData(firstChapter.text);
-          setCurrDocText(firstChapter.text);
-          setTTSText(firstChapter.text);
+          // Restore last chapter position or start from beginning
+          const lastChapterIndex = await getLastChapterIndex(id);
+          const startChapterIndex = lastChapterIndex !== null && lastChapterIndex < detectedChapters.length ? lastChapterIndex : 0;
+          setCurrentChapterIndex(startChapterIndex);
+
+          // Display the restored or first chapter
+          const startChapter = detectedChapters[startChapterIndex];
+          setCurrDocData(startChapter.text);
+          setCurrDocText(startChapter.text);
+          setTTSText(startChapter.text);
+
+          console.log(`Restored to chapter ${startChapterIndex + 1} of ${detectedChapters.length}`);
         } else {
           // Small document, no chapters needed
           setChapters([]);
+          setCurrentChapterIndex(0);
           setCurrDocData(doc.data);
           setCurrDocText(doc.data);
           setTTSText(doc.data);
@@ -229,6 +240,15 @@ export function HTMLProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
     }
   }, [chapters.length, registerLocationChangeHandler, handleLocationChange]);
 
+  // Save chapter position whenever it changes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (currDocId && chapters.length > 1) {
+      // Save current chapter index to remember position
+      setLastDocumentLocation(currDocId, String(currentChapterIndex), currentChapterIndex)
+        .catch(error => console.error('Failed to save chapter position:', error));
+    }
+  }, [currDocId, currentChapterIndex, chapters.length]);
+
   const totalChapters = chapters.length;
 
   const contextValue = useMemo(() => ({
diff --git a/src/contexts/TTSContext.tsx b/src/contexts/TTSContext.tsx
index b553bd3..0b5d82a 100644
--- a/src/contexts/TTSContext.tsx
+++ b/src/contexts/TTSContext.tsx
@@ -1466,13 +1466,27 @@ export function TTSProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }): ReactElement
     currentWordIndex
   ]);
 
-  // Use media session hook
-  useMediaSession({
-    togglePlay,
-    skipForward,
-    skipBackward,
+  // Media Session API for background playback and lock screen controls
+  const { setPlaybackState } = useMediaSession({
+    metadata: {
+      title: id ? `Document ${String(id).slice(0, 8)}...` : 'Text-to-Speech',
+      artist: 'OpenReader WebUI',
+      album: 'Audiobook',
+    },
+    controls: {
+      togglePlay,
+      skipForward,
+      skipBackward,
+      // Chapter navigation will be handled by document contexts if available
+    },
+    enabled: true,
   });
 
+  // Update playback state when isPlaying changes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setPlaybackState(isPlaying ? 'playing' : 'paused');
+  }, [isPlaying, setPlaybackState]);
+
   // Load last location on mount for both EPUB and PDF
   useEffect(() => {
     if (id) {
diff --git a/src/hooks/audio/useBackgroundState.ts b/src/hooks/audio/useBackgroundState.ts
index 12c608b..7e43af7 100644
--- a/src/hooks/audio/useBackgroundState.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/audio/useBackgroundState.ts
@@ -7,23 +7,23 @@ interface UseBackgroundStateProps {
   playAudio: () => void;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Hook to track background state and maintain audio context
+ *
+ * NOTE: This hook does NOT pause audio when backgrounded.
+ * Audio continues playing in background tabs and when screen is off.
+ * This is enabled by the Media Session API for cross-browser support.
+ */
 export function useBackgroundState({ activeHowl, isPlaying, playAudio }: UseBackgroundStateProps) {
   const [isBackgrounded, setIsBackgrounded] = useState(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     const handleVisibilityChange = () => {
       setIsBackgrounded(document.hidden);
-      if (document.hidden) {
-        // When backgrounded, pause audio but maintain isPlaying state
-        if (activeHowl) {
-          activeHowl.pause();
-        }
-      } else if (isPlaying) {
-        // When returning to foreground, resume from current position
-        if (activeHowl) {
-          activeHowl.play();
-        }
-      }
+
+      // Do NOT pause when backgrounded - allow continuous playback
+      // Media Session API handles lock screen controls and background playback
+      // Howler.js will continue playing even when page is hidden
     };
 
     document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', handleVisibilityChange);
diff --git a/src/hooks/audio/useMediaSession.ts b/src/hooks/audio/useMediaSession.ts
index 698857e..0f75ece 100644
--- a/src/hooks/audio/useMediaSession.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/audio/useMediaSession.ts
@@ -1,30 +1,118 @@
 'use client';
 
-import { useEffect } from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useCallback } from 'react';
 
-interface MediaControls {
+export interface MediaSessionMetadata {
+  title: string;
+  artist?: string;
+  album?: string;
+  artwork?: Array<{
+    src: string;
+    sizes?: string;
+    type?: string;
+  }>;
+}
+
+export interface MediaSessionControls {
   togglePlay: () => void;
   skipForward: () => void;
   skipBackward: () => void;
+  nextChapter?: () => void;
+  previousChapter?: () => void;
+}
+
+interface UseMediaSessionProps {
+  metadata?: MediaSessionMetadata;
+  controls: MediaSessionControls;
+  enabled?: boolean;
 }
 
 /**
- * Custom hook for managing media session controls
- * @param controls Object containing media control functions
+ * Custom hook for managing Media Session API
+ * Enables background playback, lock screen controls, and system media key support
+ *
+ * Features:
+ * - Dynamic metadata (title, artist, artwork)
+ * - Lock screen media controls on mobile
+ * - Background tab playback in Firefox
+ * - System media key support (keyboard, headphones)
+ * - Chapter navigation for audiobooks
  */
-export function useMediaSession(controls: MediaControls) {
-  useEffect(() => {
+export function useMediaSession({ metadata, controls, enabled = true }: UseMediaSessionProps) {
+  // Update playback state
+  const setPlaybackState = useCallback((state: MediaSessionPlaybackState) => {
     if ('mediaSession' in navigator) {
-      navigator.mediaSession.metadata = new MediaMetadata({
-        title: 'Text-to-Speech',
-        artist: 'OpenReader WebUI',
-        album: 'Current Document',
-      });
-
-      navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('play', () => controls.togglePlay());
-      navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('pause', () => controls.togglePlay());
-      navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('nexttrack', () => controls.skipForward());
-      navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('previoustrack', () => controls.skipBackward());
+      try {
+        navigator.mediaSession.playbackState = state;
+      } catch (error) {
+        console.warn('Failed to set playback state:', error);
+      }
     }
-  }, [controls]);
+  }, []);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!enabled || !('mediaSession' in navigator)) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Set metadata
+    try {
+      navigator.mediaSession.metadata = new MediaMetadata({
+        title: metadata?.title || 'Text-to-Speech',
+        artist: metadata?.artist || 'OpenReader WebUI',
+        album: metadata?.album || 'Audiobook',
+        artwork: metadata?.artwork || [
+          {
+            src: '/icon.png',
+            sizes: '512x512',
+            type: 'image/png',
+          },
+        ],
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.warn('Failed to set media session metadata:', error);
+    }
+
+    // Set action handlers
+    try {
+      navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('play', controls.togglePlay);
+      navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('pause', controls.togglePlay);
+      navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('seekbackward', controls.skipBackward);
+      navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('seekforward', controls.skipForward);
+
+      // Chapter navigation (optional)
+      if (controls.nextChapter) {
+        navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('nexttrack', controls.nextChapter);
+      } else {
+        navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('nexttrack', controls.skipForward);
+      }
+
+      if (controls.previousChapter) {
+        navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('previoustrack', controls.previousChapter);
+      } else {
+        navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('previoustrack', controls.skipBackward);
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.warn('Failed to set media session action handlers:', error);
+    }
+
+    // Cleanup on unmount
+    return () => {
+      if ('mediaSession' in navigator) {
+        try {
+          navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('play', null);
+          navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('pause', null);
+          navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('seekbackward', null);
+          navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('seekforward', null);
+          navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('nexttrack', null);
+          navigator.mediaSession.setActionHandler('previoustrack', null);
+          navigator.mediaSession.metadata = null;
+        } catch (error) {
+          // Ignore cleanup errors
+        }
+      }
+    };
+  }, [metadata, controls, enabled]);
+
+  return { setPlaybackState };
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/dexie.ts b/src/lib/dexie.ts
index b573467..94f8f09 100644
--- a/src/lib/dexie.ts
+++ b/src/lib/dexie.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ const JOBS_TABLE = 'jobs' as const;
 export interface LastLocationRow {
   docId: string;
   location: string;
+  chapterIndex?: number; // For HTML/text documents with chapters
 }
 
 export interface ConfigRow {
@@ -392,9 +393,16 @@ export async function getLastDocumentLocation(docId: string): Promise<string | n
   });
 }
 
-export async function setLastDocumentLocation(docId: string, location: string): Promise<void> {
+export async function setLastDocumentLocation(docId: string, location: string, chapterIndex?: number): Promise<void> {
   await withDB(async () => {
-    await db[LAST_LOCATION_TABLE].put({ docId, location });
+    await db[LAST_LOCATION_TABLE].put({ docId, location, chapterIndex });
+  });
+}
+
+export async function getLastChapterIndex(docId: string): Promise<number | null> {
+  return withDB(async () => {
+    const row = await db[LAST_LOCATION_TABLE].get(docId);
+    return row?.chapterIndex ?? null;
   });
 }