Introduction
This article explains which video file extensions and codecs are supported on web and mobile devices so you can ensure your media plays correctly across platforms.
Supported Video File Extensions
Web
- MP4 (H.264 codec)
- WebM (H.264 codec)
- Ogg (H.264 codec)
- MOV (H.264 codec)
- M4V (H.264 codec)
Mobile
- MP4 (H.264 codec)
- WebM (H.264 codec)
- Ogg (H.264 codec)
- MOV (H.264 codec)
- M4V (H.264 codec)
- MP4 (H.265 codec)
Note: H.265 (HEVC) support is limited to newer devices and must use the MP4 file extension.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Q: My MP4 video won’t play in the browser—what’s wrong?
A: Ensure it’s encoded with the H.264 codec. Some files may have an unsupported codec or corrupt container. Use a tool like HandBrake or FFmpeg to re-encode.
Q: Ogg/WebM videos play on desktop but not on mobile—why?
A: Many mobile browsers don’t support Ogg or WebM. For broad mobile compatibility, provide an H.264 MP4 fallback.
Q: My H.265 MP4 video doesn’t play on my phone—what should I check?
A: Only newer iOS (11+) and Android (Android 5+ with OEM support) devices handle HEVC. Confirm your device’s specifications before using H.265.
Q: Can I use .AVI or .MKV formats?
A: Those formats aren’t universally supported in HTML5 players or on most mobile browsers. Stick to the listed extensions for maximum compatibility.
Q: How do I verify a video’s codec and extension?
A: Use a media inspection tool—like ffprobe (part of FFmpeg) or the free MediaInfo app—to view container format and codec details.
