How can I make a looping animation with a background video component in Webflow that plays on mobile devices?
TL;DR
- Use Webflow’s Background Video component with a muted, optimized MP4 under 10MB to ensure autoplay and looping on most mobile devices.
- Add a static fallback image for unsupported browsers and test on real mobile devices; for more control, use a custom embed with autoplay, loop, muted, and playsinline attributes.
To ensure your background video loops and plays on mobile devices in Webflow, you’ll need to both set it up properly and understand mobile limitations.
1. Understand Mobile Autoplay Limitations
- iOS and Android often block autoplaying videos with audio.
- Webflow’s Background Video component uses muted, looping videos (MP4) by default, which comply with most mobile autoplay criteria.
- However, some mobile browsers still don’t render background videos, especially on low-power mode or certain device configurations.
2. Use the Background Video Element Correctly
- Drag in a Background Video Component from the Add panel.
- Upload an MP4 file (max 30MB due to Webflow's restrictions).
- The video will automatically be muted, looped, and set to autoplay—required for mobile autoplay.
- Apply the background video to a section or div that acts as a container.
3. Optimize Video for Mobile Compatibility
- Keep the file under 10MB for better mobile performance.
- Encode using standard H.264 compression with a resolution like 720p.
- Avoid alpha channels or non-standard encodings.
4. Include a Fallback for Unsupported Devices
- Some mobile browsers will skip background videos entirely. To provide a good experience:
- Add a static fallback image as a background to the same section.
- In Webflow, set a background image on the containing section, behind the video element using z-index.
5. Test on Real Mobile Devices
- Use actual iPhones and Android phones to test behavior.
- Alternatively, Webflow’s preview or desktop browser simulation may not reflect mobile video playback accurately.
6. Optional: Use a Custom Video Embed (if needed)
If the built-in component fails to behave as expected:
- Add a custom video element using an embed block.
- Ensure the video element includes these attributes inline:
muted, autoplay, loop, and playsinline (e.g.,<video muted autoplay loop playsinline>...) - Note: this requires hosting the video externally (e.g., on a CDN or Firebase), since Webflow’s background video component doesn’t allow tag-level customization.
Summary
To create a looping background video on mobile in Webflow, use the Background Video component with a muted, optimized MP4 file. Add a static fallback for unsupported mobile devices and test on actual hardware to confirm behavior. For full control, consider a custom embed with video attributes.