About
Play supports 4K, but Android players need some care. Windows, Linux and Mac players play 4K like any video. Android devices are less powerful, so the app hands 4K video to Android’s own video player, which brings a few limits, like no transitions on those slides. Here’s what to know and how to get the best result.
Get Started
Get the best 4K playback on Android
- Choose a powerful Android device with plenty of memory; cheap “4K” devices often can’t really play it
- Encode your video with a codec Android’s own player supports (H.264 or H.265 in .mp4)
- Give 4K slides a black background, to avoid a white flash while the video starts
- Test your content on the device you’ll use
Use a Windows, Linux or Mac player for complex 4K
Need transitions or rotation on 4K video? Those players handle 4K like any other video.
FAQ
Limits on Android
Why is 4K different on Android?
Android devices use ARM processors, which are less powerful than the x86 processors in PCs. To play 4K smoothly, the app launches Android’s own video player for it, which is optimized for certain codecs.
Why is the 4K video on top of everything?
Android’s player draws it over the app, so other objects, even the download progress bar, can’t go on top.
Do slide transitions work with 4K video?
No, they’d be hidden behind the video.
Does Screen Capture show 4K video?
No. The video plays outside the app, so it isn’t in the screenshot.
Can 4K video play in portrait?
Only if you rotate in Android’s own settings; rotating in Play doesn’t turn 4K video. Some devices, like the Amazon Fire 4K Stick, can’t play 2160 × 3840 at all: make the video landscape (3840 × 2160) with the content turned 90°.
Why does the 4K video start with a delay?
Starting Android’s player takes a moment, especially the first time.
My player is 4K, but photos aren't shown in 4K. Why?
Some devices, mostly the cheapest Android ones, claim 4K but support it only partly.
