How can I make the background video component in Webflow play videos on iOS and Android devices without any additional custom code or hacks?
TL;DR
- Mobile browsers restrict autoplay of background videos, especially on iOS and Android, even if muted.
- Use Webflow’s default behavior by setting a fallback image in the background video settings to ensure mobile compatibility without custom code.
Background videos in Webflow do not autoplay on iOS and some Android devices due to mobile browser restrictions related to autoplaying media. Here's how to work within these limitations using standard Webflow functionality.
1. Understand Mobile Autoplay Restrictions
- iOS Safari and some Android browsers block autoplay of videos with sound to save bandwidth and battery.
- Webflow’s background video component mutes videos by default, which satisfies one of the autoplay requirements, but it may still not autoplay consistently across all mobile devices.
- Even muted videos might still not play on some mobile devices when used as a background video element.
2. Use a Fallback Option for Mobile
- Webflow automatically hides the background video on mobile by default and replaces it with a static fallback image.
- To ensure the best experience:
- Set a fallback image in the background video component’s settings.
- It’s typically applied under Element Settings Panel > Background Video > Poster Image.
- Use a high-quality but lightweight image that represents the content or feel of the video.
3. Avoid Custom Code for Maximum Compatibility
- Since you’re not using custom hacks or code, stick with Webflow’s native behavior.
- You cannot force autoplay background videos on mobile just using Webflow’s built-in tools because this behavior is dictated by the browser, not by Webflow.
4. Consider Replacing Background Video with a Video Element (Optional)
- If you need mobile users to view the video:
- Use a regular video element instead of a background video, upload a muted video, and enable autoplay.
- Ensure the video is muted, plays inline, and has autoplay enabled, which improves compatibility.
- However, this method’s success still depends on browser support and is not guaranteed on all Android/iOS browsers.
Summary
You cannot force background videos to autoplay on iOS and some Android devices using only Webflow’s built-in tools. The best practice is to use a fallback image, which Webflow supports by default, and avoid relying on mobile background video playback for critical content.