Issues uploading videos of any sort :( from iOS app

Community Support Mobile Apps
1

I’m encountering two strange issues when trying to upload videos using the Rocket.Chat iOS app (latest version: 4.59.0):

1. Video selection not available

When I tap the “+” button and choose “Choose from library”, only images are displayed — videos are not shown at all.
I tested this on my own server as well as on the open.rocket.chat workspace, and the behavior is the same in both cases.

2. Uploading a recorded video fails

If I record a video directly from the app, the upload starts but then fails with the message:
Error uploading filename.jpg. Try again.
Interestingly, I was able to upload the same kind of video in the #general channel on open.rocket.chat. It had a .jpg extension as well, but it still showed up and played correctly (I later deleted the video).

Additional info

  • Audio messages and image uploads work fine.
  • Images sometimes appear rotated, but that’s a separate issue.
  • I’m using Rocket.Chat v7.5.1, deployed via Docker with MongoDB 6.0.13 on Ubuntu 20.04.
  • HTTPS is enabled via NGINX, which proxies my domain to port 3000. I used the default NGINX config from the official docs, only adjusting the domain and SSL certs.
  • File storage is set to GridFS. I previously tested the FileSystem option, but with that, no uploads worked at all.

Web uploads behavior

  • Uploading a video via Chrome on desktop works, although the resulting .webm file can’t be played on iPhone.
  • Uploading from the Rocket.Chat desktop app on Windows appears to work, but the file disappears after upload and is not sent.
2

Worth reading around more, especially the main docs.

First 20.04 is a bit long in the tooth and out of standard support on 31st May. Upgrade. It won’t fix this but will save you other issues in time.

Use the sample docker compose/nginx with as few changes as possible. Just the domain name.

Check your websocket is working.

You need proper https certs working for apps to work correctly on your own setup. iOS is particularly fussy.

As per docs, don’t use GridFS. Fix your user/file perms to match your docker user - recent docker versions have changed how the handle it.

iOS is often problematic using closed source video codecs eg HEIC/HEVC.

Think there were some bugs in the react native git repo.

3

thanks for the feedback!

true I need to upgrade to 22.04 at least, you’re right, I will, but as you say it won’t fix this.
the docker compose is untouched - I used the original one, same applies to nginx proxy settings.
the certificates are ok, I noticed that iOS is fussy…

how can I check that my websocket is working?

so you recommend to use FileSistem? is there any guide to set that up?
will it change the behaviour?

do you have an iPhone? do you see the videos in the media library when you access it from the app? I don’t see any…

4

If you searched I’ve posted this many times.

RTFM

Probably not, but that should not stop you.

Not unless it was the last phone on earth.

However, my wife does. And some of my staff. No issues…

5

thank you, especially for sending me again the things that you already posted! (I laughed at the RTFM…)
I did search for them, I might have searched with wrong keywords :sweat_smile:

I will try your suggestions and then revert - I’ll tell you even if it works :slight_smile:

6

websocket check from Chrome shows this
the status Code is Green 101

image
image645×278 8.13 KB

compared to your “FM” there is only one difference in the Response Headers:
the manual says

Response headers
 Connection: Upgrade
 Sec-WebSocket-Accept: nXd/PfaHuA1Kx/ggJWAAy+96Ee4=
 Upgrade: websocket

my server has the extra Sec-Webcosket-Extensions field.

can this be the reason?

I will now try the FileSystem update

7

I did succesfully move to FileSystem storage, but (as expected) the situation has not changed: iOS still doens’t let me upload videos.

the websocket is ok: I also checked from the dev tools on the windows desktop app, and the websocket is the same as the one I get from Chrome.

certificates are ok - unless there is a way to check them from the dev tools?

I did read the manuals and the FAQ, I haven’t found any other thing that might cause this issue

any other suggestion?

8

I noticed that in one of the instructions it talks about a nginx docker.
I’m running nginx on the host server, not in a docker - in case this changes anything.

shall I try to set up the reverse proxy with Traefik? does it work better with iOS devices, in your experience?

9

Stock non docker nginx works just fine as per the docs (I use a stock apache)

1 Like
10

This is almost guaranteed your config somewhere.

Check nginx settings as per this.

Also check permitted file upload types

How big are files? What type? What do you logs tell you - nginx & Rocket?

1 Like
11

well, you got it right. I didn’t think of the size of the upload file!
I increased it and now it macigally works!

thanks a lot! :heart:

now I only have one issue left - why I can’t upload videos from the media library… I really can’t even see them in the list!

this might need an update of the app…

12

It’s not magic. Assume it is you until proven otherwise.

Bearing in mind the above, it’s unlikely…

What are you doing that no one else appears to?

Whilst you figure that, can I get back to my holiday now?

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20250505_1630271920×887 267 KB

1 Like
13

“magically” was obviously ironic :wink:

does everyone else see all their videos in the media library when they open it from the rockechat app? I’m seriously asking, because it doens’t show up in any of my iphones…

by the way, had I checked the NGINX logs on the server, it actually says that “client intended to send too large body”

that’s a lovely place, enjoy your holiday, but I still want to clear all my issues :smiley:

14

Just checked on wifes phone. Can only see photos.

Try share to Rocket from your photo album.

15

yes that works now- files were too big before! now it works media library >> rocketchat both for videos and pictures.

last 2 issues.

  • why pictures are often rotated (90 or 180 degrees)?
    image
    I tried both settings, nothing changes here

  • on my iphone 12, when I record videos, they have audio, while on my iphone 15 they are silent… any idea on why this might happen? I checked the privacy settings on the iphone and the microphone is enabled (I can record audio messages)

then you can enjoy your holiday :stuck_out_tongue:

16

No idea. I don’t understand iphones…

Ask Apple - no idea!!

You may be better asking here - the dev hangs out there.

17

Also worth reading release notes & following bugs:

18

yes, now it works!
your dev team is amazing!!

19

Not mine… I don’t work for Rocket…!

20

I assumed you did, you really know your stuff and you’re super fast answering.
thanks again for your support, you really helped a lot