Playback()

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Play a file.

Last reviewed 2026-04-14

Playback(filenames[,options])
Dialplan Builder -- build your Playback() command
Comma separated list of options
Full arguments reference
  • filenames required - Ampersand separated list of filenames. If the filename is a relative filename (it does not begin with a slash), it will be searched for in the Asterisk sounds directory. If the filename is able to be parsed as a URL, Asterisk will download the file and then begin playback on it. To include a literal & in the URL you can enclose the URL in single quotes.
    • filename required
    • filename2 (multiple)
  • options - Comma separated list of options

    • skip - Do not play if not answered
    • noanswer - Playback without answering, otherwise the channel will be answered before the sound is played.

      Note

      Not all channel types support playing messages while still on hook.

    • say - Play using the say.conf file.

    • mix - Play using a mix of filename and the say.conf file.
Description

Plays back given filenames (do not put extension of wav/alaw etc). The Playback application answers the channel if no options are specified. If the file is non-existent it will fail.

This application sets the following channel variable upon completion:

  • PLAYBACKSTATUS - The status of the playback attempt as a text string.
    • SUCCESS
    • FAILED

See Also: Background (application) -- for playing sound files that are interruptible

WaitExten (application) -- wait for digits from caller, optionally play music on hold

Arguments
  • filenames required - Ampersand separated list of filenames. If the filename is a relative filename (it does not begin with a slash), it will be searched for in the Asterisk sounds directory. If the filename is able to be parsed as a URL, Asterisk will download the file and then begin playback on it. To include a literal & in the URL you can enclose the URL in single quotes.
    • filename required
    • filename2 (multiple)
  • options - Comma separated list of options

    • skip - Do not play if not answered
    • noanswer - Playback without answering, otherwise the channel will be answered before the sound is played.

      Note

      Not all channel types support playing messages while still on hook.

    • say - Play using the say.conf file.

    • mix - Play using a mix of filename and the say.conf file.
User Notes

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