My app allows users to capture and save videos to the Photos app using the following Swift code:
PHPhotoLibrary.shared().performChanges {
PHAssetChangeRequest.creationRequestForAssetFromVideo(atFileURL: fileURL)
} completionHandler: { success, error in
Videos are successfully saved to Photos and play correctly. However, users report that when they AirDrop these videos from the Photos app to another device (e.g., iPad to iPhone), the videos are saved in the Files app on the receiving device instead of the Photos app. This issue is more common with higher-resolution videos, such as 2K, recorded in HEVC format at 30 fps.
I wasn't able to reproduce the issue locally.
I've found a thread in public apple forum: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255276865?sortBy=rank but I wonder maybe there are some special flags that I should clear or add to my videos (e.g. PHAssetChangeRequest)?
Thank you!
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I am currently developing an HEVC player using VideoToolbox on an iOS device.
I have successfully created an HEVC decoder that receives HEVC streams from our custom image capture and encoding device, and it can decode and display images properly.
However, when my image capture and encoding device configures the encoder to output HEVC streams with fragmented NALUs (i.e., an I-frame or P-frame is split and stored across multiple slice NALUs), the iOS decoder can be initialized successfully but fails to decode and output images.
Can VideoToolbox properly decode HEVC bitstreams when a single frame is split into multiple slice NALUs?
Key Observations:
1. Single-NALU frames work fine.
2. Multi-NALU frames (sliced I/P-frames) cause decoding failure.
3. The decoder session is created successfully (VTDecompressionSessionCreate returns no error).
Hello,
I need to enumerate built-in media devices (cameras, microphones, etc.). For this purpose, I am using the CoreAudio and CoreMediaIO frameworks.
According to the table 'Daemon-Safe Frameworks' in Apple’s TN2083, CoreAudio is daemon-safe. However, the documentation does not mention CoreMediaIO.
Can CoreMediaIO be used in a daemon?
If not, are there any documented alternatives to detect built-in cameras in a daemon (e.g., via device classes in IOKit)?
Thank you in advance,
Pavel
Is there any way we can detect the status of the Show When Muted and Show on Skip Back device settings in code ?
In Final Cut Pro, keyframes for transform parameters (such as Position, Scale, and Rotation) are automatically set to “Smooth” interpolation. This often results in undesired easing between keyframes, especially when linear motion is required.
Currently, we have to manually adjust each keyframe to "Linear" using the Video Animation Editor, which can be time-consuming when working with many keyframes.
Would it be possible to add an option to set the default keyframe interpolation to "Linear"—either globally in Preferences or per parameter in the Inspector?
This would greatly streamline the animation workflow for many editors.
Thank you for considering this request!
I'm currently using ReplayKit for background screen recording, but I can't determine whether the screen is in landscape mode from the CMSampleBuffer. All other APIs for detecting screen orientation are foreground-based. What should I do?
I'm seeking to a specific sync frame in a video file (HEVC, recorded on iPad). When I feed the buffers from that sync frame on to VTDecompressionSession it consistently drops the 2.,3.,4. buffer with a kVTVideoDecoderReferenceMissingErr (or no error but no buffer on the simulator). If I feed all the buffers from the penultimate sync frame prior to the desired frame the buffers come out fine but that would just create a massive overhead to always do it. Tried multiple OS versions, devices etc. Seems a consistent problem.
Here's a sample project with the offending video (disregard memory handling etc):
https://github.com/marcuseckert/vtSample
I've filed a radar FB18228296 but would appreciate any feedback on circumventing or at least detecting this behavior prior to decoding.
Hello, I'm trying to subscribe to AVPlayerItem status updates using Combine and it's bridge to Swift Concurrency – .values.
This is my sample code.
struct ContentView: View {
@State var player: AVPlayer?
@State var loaded = false
var body: some View {
VStack {
if let player {
Text("loading status: \(loaded)")
Spacer()
VideoPlayer(player: player)
Button("Load") {
Task {
let item = AVPlayerItem(
url: URL(string: "https://sample-videos.com/video321/mp4/360/big_buck_bunny_360p_5mb.mp4")!
)
player.replaceCurrentItem(with: item)
let publisher = player.publisher(for: \.status)
for await status in publisher.values {
print(status.rawValue)
if status == .readyToPlay {
loaded = true
break
}
}
print("we are out")
}
}
}
else {
Text("No video selected")
}
}
.task {
player = AVPlayer()
}
}
}
After I click on the "load" button it prints out 0 (as the initial status of .unknown) and nothing after – even when the video is fully loaded.
At the same time this works as expected (loading status is set to true):
struct ContentView: View {
@State var player: AVPlayer?
@State var loaded = false
@State var cancellable: AnyCancellable?
var body: some View {
VStack {
if let player {
Text("loading status: \(loaded)")
Spacer()
VideoPlayer(player: player)
Button("Load") {
Task {
let item = AVPlayerItem(
url: URL(string: "https://sample-videos.com/video321/mp4/360/big_buck_bunny_360p_5mb.mp4")!
)
player.replaceCurrentItem(with: item)
let stream = AsyncStream { continuation in
cancellable = item.publisher(for: \.status)
.sink {
if $0 == .readyToPlay {
continuation.yield($0)
continuation.finish()
}
}
}
for await _ in stream {
loaded = true
cancellable?.cancel()
cancellable = nil
break
}
}
}
}
else {
Text("No video selected")
}
}
.task {
player = AVPlayer()
}
}
}
Is this a bug or something?
I'm working on a media app that would like to be able to tell if the TV connected to tvOS is running at 59.94hz or 60.00hz, so it can optimize a video stream. It looks like the best I can currently do is to check if the user has Match Content Rate enabled, and based on that, when calling displayManager.preferredDisplayCriteria to change video modes, I could guess which rate their TV might be in. It's not very ideal, because not all TVs support both of these rates, and my request for 59.94 might end up as 60 and vice versa.
I dug around and can't find any available method in UIScreen to get this info. The odd thing is, the data is right there in currentMode when I look in the debugger, but it seems to be in a private or undocumented class. Is there any way to get at it?
I'm developing a Final Cut Pro X workflow extension that transcribes audio and creates a text output. I need to allow users to drag this text directly from my extension into FCPX's timeline as titles.
Current Implementation:
Using NSFilePromiseProvider as per Apple's guidelines for drag and drop
Generating valid FCPXML (v1.10) with proper structure:
Complete resources section with format and asset references
Event and project hierarchy
Asset clip with connected title elements
Proper timing and duration calculations
Supporting multiple pasteboard types:
com.apple.finalcutpro.xml.v1-10
com.apple.finalcutpro.xml.v1-9
com.apple.finalcutpro.xml
What's Working:
Drag operation initiates correctly
File promise provider is set up properly
FCPXML generation is successful (verified content)
All required pasteboard types are registered
Proper logging confirms data is being requested and provided
Current Pasteboard Types Offered:
com.apple.NSFilePromiseItemMetaData
com.apple.pasteboard.promised-file-name
com.apple.pasteboard.promised-suggested-file-name
com.apple.pasteboard.promised-file-content-type
Apple files promise pasteboard type
com.apple.pasteboard.NSFilePromiseID
com.apple.pasteboard.promised-file-url
com.apple.finalcutpro.xml.v1-10
com.apple.finalcutpro.xml.v1-9
com.apple.finalcutpro.xml
What additional requirements or considerations are needed to make FCPX accept the dragged FCPXML content? Are there specific requirements for workflow extensions regarding drag and drop operations with titles that aren't documented?
Any insights, especially from those who have implemented similar functionality in FCPX workflow extensions, would be greatly appreciated.
Technical Details:
macOS Version: 15.5 (24F74)
FCPX Version: 11.1.1
Extension built with SwiftUI and AppKit integration
Using NSFilePromiseProvider and NSPasteboardItemDataProvider
Full pasteboard type support for FCPXML versions
Our Final Cut Pro workflow extension built with ProExtensionHost framework uses an advanced NSPasteboardItemDataProvider system with multi-version FCPXML support (1.9, 1.10, 1.13) and proper relative path
UIDs for Motion templates. We've implemented clip wrapper approach with placeholder assets and elements containing effects to enable direct timeline drag functionality. However, drag
and drop from our Final Cut Pro workflow extension directly to timeline is still not working despite proper element structure in our FCPXML. Our implementation creates valid clip elements with
effects applied, but Final Cut Pro timeline doesn't accept them during drag operations from our ProExtensionHost-based workflow extension.
Steps to Reproduce:
Create Final Cut Pro workflow extension using ProExtensionHost framework with NSPasteboardItemDataProvider implementation
Generate FCPXML with proper element structure:
Expected Result: Clip should be accepted by timeline and effect applied from workflow extension
Actual Result: Timeline rejects drag operation from ProExtensionHost-based workflow extension
Question: Are there additional requirements or ProExtensionHost API calls needed beyond standard NSPasteboardItemDataProvider for Final Cut Pro workflow extension timeline drag functionality?
When creating and activating AVPictureInPictureController on iPhone 11 running iOS 18.x, the main screen viewport unexpectedly changes from the native 375×812 logical points to 414×896 points (the size of a different device such as iPhone XR/11 Plus). Additionally, a separate UIWindow with zero CGRect is created. This causes UIKit layout calculations, especially related to the keyboard and safeAreaInsets, to malfunction and results in issues like keyboard clipping and general UI misalignment. The problem appears tied specifically to iOS 18+ behavior and does not manifest on earlier iOS versions or other devices consistently.
Steps to Reproduce:
Run the app on iPhone 11 with iOS 18.x (including the latest minor updates).
Instantiate and start an AVPictureInPictureController during app runtime.
Observe that UIScreen.main.bounds changes from 375×812 (native iPhone 11 size) to 414×896.
Notice a secondary UIWindow appears with frame CGRectZero.
Interact with text inputs that cause the keyboard to appear.
The keyboard is clipped or partially obscured, causing UI usability issues.
Layout elements dependent on UIScreen.main.bounds or safeAreaInsets behave incorrectly.
Expected Behavior:
UIScreen.main.bounds should not dynamically change upon PiP controller creation. The coordinate space and viewport should remain accurate to device native dimensions. The keyboard and UI layout should adjust properly with respect to the actual on-screen size and safe areas.
Actual Behavior:
UIScreen.main.bounds changes to 414×896 upon PiP controller creation on iPhone 11 iOS 18+.
A zero-rect secondary UIWindow is created, impacting layout queries.
Keyboard clipping and UI layout bugs occur.
The app viewport and coordinate space are inconsistent with device hardware.
1, Devices
Apple TV HD tvOS 18.5 (22L572) Mode(A1625)
HomePod Gen1 OS18.5 (22L572)
2, Test cases:
2.1 UIViewController + AVPlayerLayer + AVPlayer
Result: Can not AirPlay to HomePod
Sample code for UIViewController + AVPlayer
2.1 AVPlayerViewController + AVPlayer
Result: Can AirPlay to HomePod
Sample code for AVPlayerViewController + AVPlayer
Background: For iOS, I have built a custom video record app that records video at the highest possible FPS (supposed to be around 240 FPS but more like ~200 in practice). When I save this video to the user's camera roll, I notice this dynamic playback speed bar. This bar will speed up or slow down the video.
My question: How can I save my video such that this playback speed bar is constantly slow or plays at real time speed?
For reference I have include the playback speed bar that I am talking about in the screenshot, you can find this in the photo app when you record slow motion video.
Topic:
Media Technologies
SubTopic:
Video
Hi, I’ve been experiencing a strange issue with video playback on my iPhone. While watching videos, the image will suddenly shift it becomes more greyish, then sometimes briefly goes black, and then returns to normal bright quality. This can happen multiple times during a single video.
This is not limited to the Photos app. I’ve seen it happen:
In the Photos app when playing videos I recorded myself
In Snapchat when watching videos sent by others
Occasionally in other social media apps as well
Additional details:
HDR Video is turned off
Apple ProRes is turned off
Tried both 4K 60fps and 4K 30fps
Camera format set to “Most Compatible”
Low Power Mode is off
Issue happens whether the phone is cool or warm
Doesn’t seem related to the video file itself the same file exported to another device looks fine all the way through
These exact same videos play back completely normally on my iPad with no brightness or contrast shifts at all
I’m currently on the iOS 17 public beta, but this issue was happening before I installed the beta as well, so it’s not beta-specific
It almost feels like the display or system is switching between different brightness/contrast profiles mid playback, regardless of the app.
Has anyone else experienced this, and is there a way to disable this behavior so the brightness and color stay consistent during video playback?
Thanks in advance!
When I try to send a DRM-protected video via Airplay to an Apple TV, the license request is made twice instead of once as it normally does on iOS.
We only allow one request per session for security reasons, this causes the second request to fail and the video won't play.
We've tested DRM-protected videos without token usage limits and it works, but this creates a security hole in our system.
Why does it request the license twice in function: func contentKeySession(_ session: AVContentKeySession, didProvide keyRequest: AVContentKeyRequest)?
Is there a way to prevent this?
I'm writing some camera functionality that uses AVCaptureVideoDataOutput.
I've set it up so that it calls my AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate on a background thread, by making my own dispatch_queue and configuring the AVCaptureVideoDataOutput.
My question is then, if I configure my AVCaptureSession differently, or even stop it altogether, is this guaranteed to flush all pending jobs on my background thread?
I have a more practical example below, showing how I am accessing something from the foreground thread from the background thread, but I wonder when/how it's safe to clean up that resource.
I have setup similar to the following:
// Foreground thread logic
dispatch_queue_t queue = dispatch_queue_create("avf_camera_queue", nullptr);
AVCaptureSession *captureSession = [[AVCaptureSession alloc] init];
setupInputDevice(captureSession); // Connects the AVCaptureDevice...
// Store some arbitrary data to be attached to the frame, stored on the foreground thread
FrameMetaData frameMetaData = ...;
MySampleBufferDelegate *sampleBufferDelegate = [MySampleBufferDelegate alloc];
// Capture frameMetaData by reference in lambda
[sampleBufferDelegate setFrameMetaDataGetter: [&frameMetaData]() { return &frameMetaData; }];
AVCaptureVideoDataOutput *captureVideoDataOutput = [[AVCaptureVideoDataOutput alloc] init];
[captureVideoDataOutput setSampleBufferDelegate:sampleBufferDelegate
queue:queue];
[captureSession addOutput:captureVideoDataOutput];
[captureSession startRunning];
[captureSession stopRunning];
// Is it now safe to destroy frameMetaData, or do we need manual barrier?
And then in MySampleBufferDelegate:
- (void)captureOutput:(AVCaptureOutput *)captureOutput
didOutputSampleBuffer:(CMSampleBufferRef)sampleBuffer
fromConnection:(AVCaptureConnection *)connection
{
// Invokes the callback set above
FrameMetaData *frameMetaData = frameMetaDataGetter();
emitSampleBuffer(sampleBuffer, frameMetaData);
}
Hello everyone,
I'm looking for a definitive clarification on how to completely disable all video stabilization, including the hardware OIS, using AVFoundation. The goal is to achieve a completely raw, unstabilized video feed, which is crucial when using external equipment like gimbals to avoid conflicting stabilization motions.
My research points to using the AVCaptureConnection property preferredVideoStabilizationMode and setting it to AVCaptureVideoStabilizationMode.off.
The documentation for the .off case states:
A mode that doesn’t stabilize video capture.
This description is slightly ambiguous. It's unclear whether this only affects software-level stabilization (EIS, EIS+OIS, etc) or if it guarantees the complete deactivation of the physical OIS module. For professional video applications, this is a critical distinction.
So, I'd like to ask the community:
Has anyone been able to definitively confirm that setting preferredVideoStabilizationMode to .off also disables the hardware OIS? Are there any known tests or documentation that prove this behavior?
Is there an alternative or more direct method to ensure the OIS module is physically inactive during video capture?
What is the community's best practice for ensuring absolutely no stabilization is applied to the video pipeline?
Any insights or shared experiences on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Hi, I downloaded and ran https://developer.apple.com/documentation/realitykit/rendering-stereoscopic-video-with-realitykit
and noticed that memory usage grows linearly.
I replaced the sample video with a different 8k side by side video, and the app crashed almost immediately due to memory leak.
it looks like the culprit is from makeMutablePixelBuffer() function and the allocated pixelBuffers are not recycled after being used.
screenshot is from a physical device.
Our app plays TS files on an iPhone.
The app fragments the TS files, creates an M3U8 playlist, converts them to HLS(HTTP Live Streaming), and then uses AVPlayer to play the video content.
On a device running iOS 26, after starting playback and seeking, restarting playback causes the video and audio to be out of sync (by about 2-3 seconds depending on the situation).
This also occurs on iPadOS/macOS 26.
This issue was not observed prior to iOS 18.
We are trying to fix this issue on the app side, but we have the following questions:
The behavior of AVPlayer is different between iOS 26 and previous versions. Has there been any change that could be considered? Or is it a bug?
We tried pausing before seeking, but it didn’t seem to have any effect. Are there any APIs or workarounds that can improve this?
We would appreciate it if you could tell us any other helpful documents or URLs.