Is there a workaround to implement a >4MB gif on a Webflow project for autoplay on mobile?

Webflow does not support autoplaying large GIFs (especially over 4MB) on mobile, but you can work around this using video files or format conversion.

1. Convert the GIF to a Video Format

• Use a tool like HandBrake, CloudConvert, or EZGIF to convert the GIF to an MP4 (or WebM) format. This reduces file size significantly and allows autoplay across devices.
• Ensure the conversion preserves the loop, or set the video to loop via player settings.

2. Upload the Video Using a Webflow Video Element

• Drag a Video element onto your canvas.
• Webflow’s native video element only supports YouTube and Vimeo, so to upload directly, use a background video component instead (limited to 30MB).

3. Embed Custom Video With Autoplay Controls

• Use an Embed element to insert a simple HTML5 <video> tag with these attributes:
• autoplay
• muted (required for autoplay on mobile)
• playsinline (for iOS)
• loop
• Host the video file externally (e.g., AWS S3, Cloudflare R2, or Dropbox with direct download links) or embed as a static asset via Webflow’s file uploader.

Example snippet:
<video autoplay muted loop playsinline style="width: 100%; height: auto;" src="YOUR_VIDEO_URL.mp4"></video>

4. Optimize for Mobile Performance

• Compress the MP4 to under 5MB if possible to minimize loading time.
• Use loading="lazy" or defer video loading if not in view.
• Avoid preload unless the video is above the fold and crucial to UX.

Summary

Convert your >4MB GIF into a compressed MP4, then embed it using a custom <video> tag with autoplay, muted, loop, and playsinline attributes. This provides GIF-like animation with better performance and mobile autoplay support.