Viewing an AR video takes a few seconds and needs no app. You open a link, let the browser use the camera, and point the phone at the image the video belongs to. This guide covers the steps and what to try when the video does not appear.

How to view an AR video

  1. Open the AR link. Tap the link you were sent, or scan the QR code printed next to the image with the phone's camera.
  2. Allow camera access. The browser asks for permission. The AR video needs the camera to see the image.
  3. Point at the image. Aim the camera at the printed poster, package or card, so the whole picture is in view.
  4. Hold steady for a moment. The video appears on top of the image once it is recognised, and follows it as you move.
  5. Turn the sound on. Videos start muted because phone browsers expect that. Tap the speaker button to hear audio.

iPhone and Android

The same link works on both. There is no separate version for each phone, because the experience runs in the browser. Use an up-to-date version of Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android. If a link was opened inside another app, such as a social app's built-in browser, and the camera does not start, open the same link in your normal browser instead.

If the video does not appear

  • Distance: try holding the phone about 30cm to 1m from the image.
  • Light: use even light. Glare on glossy print and very dim rooms both make recognition harder.
  • Frame the whole image: if part of it is cut off, move back until it fits.
  • Camera permission: if you tapped "Don't allow", enable the camera for your browser in the phone settings and reload the page.
  • Right image: the video only plays on the image it was made for. A different picture will not trigger it.
  • Link expired: free AR videos are live for 24 hours and then locked. The owner can bring it back by upgrading to Pro.

If you made the AR video yourself and it will not track, the image may not have enough detail. See the best images for AR tracking.

Viewing from a computer screen

You can point a phone at an image shown on a laptop or monitor, which is handy for testing before you print. Very bright screens can wash out detail, so lower the brightness if tracking is slow.

💡 Want to make one?

Upload an image and a video on the Video AR page and you get a link in a few minutes. New to the idea? Start with how to make an AR video.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to download an app to see an AR video?

No. The AR video opens in the phone browser from a link or QR code. You only need to allow camera access.

Why is the AR video muted?

Phone browsers expect video to start muted. Tap the sound button in the viewer to turn audio on.

Can I view an AR video without the printed image?

The video plays on the image it was made for. You can point your phone at that image on another screen, for example a laptop, if you do not have it printed.