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

Webflow normally disables video backgrounds on mobile to save bandwidth, but you can work around this with specific setup steps. Here's how a background video was successfully loaded and displayed on mobile in Webflow:

1. Use a Custom HTML Embed for the Video

• Avoid the built-in Webflow Background Video component, which automatically disables itself on mobile.
• Instead, add an Embed element using custom HTML for a standard video tag.
• Example: use a video tag with attributes like playsinline, autoplay, muted, and loop to ensure mobile playback:
• e.g., <video autoplay muted loop playsinline ...></video>

2. Optimize Video Format and Size

• Use MP4 format, ideally H.264 encoded, for broad compatibility.
• Compress the video to reduce file size — aim for under 1MB for mobile.
• Set video dimensions to match mobile screen sizes (e.g., 720px width or smaller).

3. Ensure Proper Attribute Setup

• Set the following attributes on the <video> element:
• autoplay – starts the video automatically.
• muted – required for autoplay on mobile.
• playsinline – prevents going full-screen on mobile.
• loop – restarts the video automatically.
• Without muted and playsinline, most mobile browsers will block video autoplay.

4. Host the Video Correctly

• Upload the video to Webflow’s asset manager or use a reliable external URL.
• Ensure HTTPS delivery, which is required for autoplay in most browsers.

5. Position and Style the Embed Element

• Set the video embed’s position to absolute or fixed, and use z-index and size settings to match your background section.
• Add necessary div wrappers for responsive sizing and coverage.

Summary

To load a background video on mobile in Webflow, avoid the native Background Video element and use a custom video embed with the right attributes (autoplay, muted, loop, playsinline), ensure it's compressed for mobile, and styled to fit as a background.