I have been watching certain .MP4 files, saved on an SSD, on my iPad Pro 3rd generation, with no problems till about a few days ago. Then it was time for the 16.4.1 OS update which went through smoothly. Following this, since yesterday the same mp4 files on the same external flash drive / SSD started to be displayed as empty folder but with a .mp4 extension, instead of a video file. I’m not knowledgeable on the subject matter of codec but it appears that the folder denotes the MP4 container inside which the codec and other stuff went missing!!
Strangely though, the same files which I have preserved on the cloud, are nicely playing on the iPad. Shall be grateful if someone can help understand what’s going on. I’m sharing screenshots if it helps
By the way MKV files stored on the same SSD are playing perfectly fine through VLC or Infuse, but as expected, not in the stock video player. MOV files are working fine with the stock video player.
To add further: I tried with another USB-C flash drive which is supposed to work with iPad (as per the SanDisk package details). I formatted it as exFAT and copied the same mp4 file on to the USB-C flash drive, twice (as copies) - once from my cloud and then from the earlier SSD.
Same result. Shows as empty folder with .mp4 extension, with a thumbnail picture of the original video.
Then I copied the “empty mp4 folder” from the flash drive on to my iPad Files app and lo behold - the video started to play. So clearly there is something blocking the interface between the external drives and the iPad since after iPadOS 16.4.1.
I did do a chat with Apple Support through the app, but it appeared that the problem was difficult for them to resolve over chat, they scheduled a call for this afternoon. That call came in a while ago but the engineer, after taking control of my iPad with the USB stick attached, also couldn’t resolve but said he will need 24 hours to check back and call me tomorrow.
Just tried a workaround and it worked. Long-pressed one empty .mp4 folder and selecting Share, I chose VLC Player. It worked. Started playing. Same thing I did with Infuse Video player and it plays. So now each time it is going to be a painful process. I also tried MKV. While MKV does not play in the native iPad video player, it works with Infuse and VLC. The only problem is I have to convert a few hundred mp4 files to MKV format in that case.
Appreciate help please.
Strangely though, the same files which I have preserved on the cloud, are nicely playing on the iPad. Shall be grateful if someone can help understand what’s going on. I’m sharing screenshots if it helps
By the way MKV files stored on the same SSD are playing perfectly fine through VLC or Infuse, but as expected, not in the stock video player. MOV files are working fine with the stock video player.
To add further: I tried with another USB-C flash drive which is supposed to work with iPad (as per the SanDisk package details). I formatted it as exFAT and copied the same mp4 file on to the USB-C flash drive, twice (as copies) - once from my cloud and then from the earlier SSD.
Same result. Shows as empty folder with .mp4 extension, with a thumbnail picture of the original video.
Then I copied the “empty mp4 folder” from the flash drive on to my iPad Files app and lo behold - the video started to play. So clearly there is something blocking the interface between the external drives and the iPad since after iPadOS 16.4.1.
I did do a chat with Apple Support through the app, but it appeared that the problem was difficult for them to resolve over chat, they scheduled a call for this afternoon. That call came in a while ago but the engineer, after taking control of my iPad with the USB stick attached, also couldn’t resolve but said he will need 24 hours to check back and call me tomorrow.
Just tried a workaround and it worked. Long-pressed one empty .mp4 folder and selecting Share, I chose VLC Player. It worked. Started playing. Same thing I did with Infuse Video player and it plays. So now each time it is going to be a painful process. I also tried MKV. While MKV does not play in the native iPad video player, it works with Infuse and VLC. The only problem is I have to convert a few hundred mp4 files to MKV format in that case.
Appreciate help please.
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