3 Ways to Fix Videos Not Playing in iPhone Photos App

Basic Fixes:

• Cool down your phone: Your iPhone might get warm during graphics-intensive gaming, video streaming, or video recording. Give your iPhone a few minutes to let the device temperature go down. Then, unlock the phone and attempt to play videos again.
• Try using other video player apps: While the default Files app works fine, it doesn’t support media formats such as .mkv. So, use third-party video player apps to run such videos without breaking a sweat. 
• Check iPhone storage: If your iPhone runs on low storage, it might have trouble opening and playing videos. You will also notice device lag, frequent errors with video playback, and more. So, check and ensure your device has at least 30% space.
• Force restart your iPhone: Temporary device glitches can also cause the video not playing error on your iPhone. So, turn your iPhone off and then restart it again. Once done, try playing the video again to check.
• Check for iOS Updates: The Photos app is a part of the iOS package. You can’t simply go to the App Store and update the Photos app. You must install the latest iOS update to enjoy new Photos additions and fix errors such as videos not playing.

Fix 1: Try Downloading the Video File Again

When you save videos from the web via Safari or Google Chrome, you must download them completely. You shouldn’t play such videos if the download is interrupted or fails completely. So, try downloading the video file again and ensure the download finishes. Then, try playing it again.

Fix 2: Make Changes From Photos Settings

With a patchy internet connection, it is difficult to download a high-quality video from iCloud. In this case, select the Download and Keep Original option and keep media stored on your iPhone for a buffer-free viewing experience. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Photos. Select Download and Keep Originals from the options.

You can also check our dedicated troubleshooting guide if you are cannot load videos or photos on your iPhone.

Fix 3: Use the Files App to Play Videos

The default Files app also comes with a built-in video player. If you have issues with Photos not playing videos, you can save the video in the Files app and try your luck there. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Photos app and long-press the relevant video. Select Share and tap on Save to Files.

Step 2: Place the video in the desired location in the Files app.

Step 3: Then, go to the saved location in the Files app and play the video.

This should start the video playback on your iPhone. You can also check out our other article to learn how to find downloaded files on your iPhone.