How was a video background successfully loaded on mobile using Webflow?

Webflow normally disables background videos on mobile to optimize performance, but there are workarounds that allow background videos to load successfully on mobile devices.

1. Understand Webflow's Default Behavior

• Background video elements do not play on mobile in Webflow by default. Instead, Webflow hides the background video on smaller viewports (mobile landscape and portrait) to reduce data usage and improve performance.
• Typically, a static fallback image is shown in place of the video on those devices.

2. Use a Custom Video Embed Instead

To successfully load a video background on mobile, the background should not use Webflow’s native Background Video element. Instead:

• Add an Embed element to the section or div where you want the video background.
• Use a custom HTML5 <video> tag with attributes like autoplay, loop, muted, and playsinline.
• Ensure the video is muted and uses playsinline, or it will not autoplay on mobile browsers.
• Provide a MP4 file URL hosted externally (e.g., on Amazon S3 or another CDN), or upload the video to Webflow’s Assets panel and link to the Webflow-hosted version.

3. Style the Video Correctly

• Set the video element to position: absolute and stretch it to cover the parent container (top: 0, left: 0, width: 100%, height: 100%).
• Set the parent container to position: relative, and optionally apply overflow: hidden.
• Add a z-index to position your other content above the video.

4. Ensure Mobile Compatibility

• Double-check these settings to ensure mobile playback:
• muted: Required for autoplay to work on mobile.
• playsinline: Ensures video plays in-place without fullscreen takeover.
• autoplay and loop: To match background behavior.

5. Optional: Add a Fallback Image

• Use a background image as a fallback in the same container.
• Use Webflow’s Style panel fallback image OR include a static image layer beneath the embedded video.
• Add CSS/media queries in an Embed if you only want the video to show on mobile under certain conditions.

Summary

To load a video background on mobile in Webflow, avoid the built-in Background Video element and instead use a custom . Proper styling and positioning ensure it behaves like a background, and these settings allow mobile browsers to play it successfully.