How can I show background videos on IOS devices using Webflow?

Published on
September 22, 2023

To show background videos on iOS devices using Webflow, you need to follow a few steps. Due to autoplay restrictions on iOS, a workaround is required to ensure the video plays correctly on Apple devices. Here's how you can achieve this:

  1. Prepare your video: Make sure your video is optimized for web playback. Use an MP4 format with H.264 video encoding and AAC audio encoding. Additionally, keep in mind the file size should be optimized for faster loading.

  2. Upload your video: You need to upload your video to a video hosting service or content delivery network (CDN). Commonly used services include Vimeo, YouTube, or Cloudinary. Make sure to choose a service that supports video playback on iOS devices.

  3. Obtain the Video's Embed Code: Once you have uploaded your video to a hosting service, you need to obtain the embed code. Look for an option to embed or share the video, and copy the provided code.

  4. Add the Embed Code to Webflow: Go to your Webflow project and navigate to the page where you want to show the background video. In the Designer, drag and drop a new video element onto the page. Open the Settings panel for the video element and select the "Custom code" tab.

  5. Embed the Code: Insert the video embed code you obtained earlier into the "Embed Code" field in the Custom code tab. Select the proper dimensions for the video element to ensure it fits your design. Save your changes.

  6. Enable Autoplay: To enable autoplay on iOS devices, you need to add an autoplay attribute to the video embed code. This attribute needs to be added within the <video> tag and set to true. However, keep in mind that autoplay may not work on all iOS versions and devices due to Apple's restrictions. Users may need to manually start the video playback.

  7. Test and Publish: Preview your web page in the Designer or publish it to a live site. Test the video playback on iOS devices to ensure it's working correctly.

Please note that the steps above involve using custom code and third-party video hosting services. It's important to follow respective platform guidelines and terms of use when using external services like Vimeo or YouTube.

Additional Questions:

  1. How can I optimize my background video for Webflow?
  2. What are the alternatives to using background videos on iOS devices in Webflow?
  3. Can I add a background video in the Webflow CMS?