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Media Issues in Glide Apps
Media Issues in Glide Apps
Updated over a week ago

When adding audio, video, and images to your Glide app, it’s important that these files are correctly hosted so they are accessible to all users. This guide offers troubleshooting steps for common media-related issues in Glide apps.

Audio component issues

Read more about the Audio component.

If your audio component appears grayed out and the audio does not play within your Glide app, though it plays externally, the issue often comes from the hosting service’s restrictions. Services like Google Drive are not designed to stream content directly through third-party apps.

Ensure your audio files are hosted on platforms that support direct media streaming, like SoundCloud or Spotify. You can also upload audio files directly to the Glide Data Editor.

Image display issues

Read more about the images in Glide.

When images do not appear consistenty, this is typically because of access restrictions at the host link. For instance, if images stored on Google Drive show up only when accessed by specific people, it’s likely due to restricted access permissions to particular Google accounts.

Cloud storage platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox are not meant to host images and media for use on websites and applications. These cloud storage systems could disable the sharing of media publicly at any time. Glide does not recommend using these platforms to host media for apps.

Ensure that your images are publicly accessible. Test accessibility by attempting to view your images in an incognito browser window without being signed into any Google account. If the image isn’t visible, you need to adjust the sharing settings on Google Drive to make the image public.

You can upload image files directly to Glide in the Data Editor, or have users upload images with an image or file picker component.

Best practices for hosting media in Glide

Read more about the Video component.

  • Host media directly in Glide, or use hosting solutions that are designed for public sharing

  • Ensure the hosting service permits embedding on third-party platforms for audio or video.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use cloud storage like Google Drive to host media for my Glide app?

While using Google Drive for media hosting is technically possible, it’s not recommended due to potential access issues. Google Drive’s primary function is not to serve as a content delivery network, and it may restrict access when used in this way.

What should I do if my media only works on certain devices or browsers?

This usually indicates a permissions or compatibility issue. Ensure that your media files are hosted on a platform that allows unrestricted, public access and tests on multiple devices and browsers to confirm accessibility.

Why does my media appear correctly when I’m logged in but not for other users?

This issue often arises when media is hosted on platforms with restrictive sharing settings. Check that your media files are shared publicly if they are hosted on platforms like Google Drive.

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