diff --git a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/index.ts b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/index.ts
index ebd67913e0..2cf4f36c52 100644
--- a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/index.ts
+++ b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/index.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import * as PlatformInfo from './src/PlatformInfo'
+import {AudioCategory} from './src/PlatformInfo/types'
 import * as Referrer from './src/Referrer'
 import * as SharedPrefs from './src/SharedPrefs'
 import VisibilityView from './src/VisibilityView'
 
-export {PlatformInfo, Referrer, SharedPrefs, VisibilityView}
+export {AudioCategory, PlatformInfo, Referrer, SharedPrefs, VisibilityView}
diff --git a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/ios/PlatformInfo/ExpoPlatformInfoModule.swift b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/ios/PlatformInfo/ExpoPlatformInfoModule.swift
index 4a1e6d7e7d..7fd60e5fa2 100644
--- a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/ios/PlatformInfo/ExpoPlatformInfoModule.swift
+++ b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/ios/PlatformInfo/ExpoPlatformInfoModule.swift
@@ -7,5 +7,36 @@ public class ExpoPlatformInfoModule: Module {
     Function("getIsReducedMotionEnabled") {
       return UIAccessibility.isReduceMotionEnabled
     }
+
+    Function("setAudioCategory") { (audioCategoryString: String) in
+      let audioCategory = AVAudioSession.Category(rawValue: audioCategoryString)
+      try? AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().setCategory(audioCategory)
+    }
+
+    Function("setAudioActive") { (active: Bool) in
+      var categoryOptions: AVAudioSession.CategoryOptions
+      let currentCategory = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().category
+
+      if active {
+        categoryOptions = [.mixWithOthers]
+        try? AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().setActive(true)
+      } else {
+        categoryOptions = [.duckOthers]
+        try? AVAudioSession
+          .sharedInstance()
+          .setActive(
+            false,
+            options: [.notifyOthersOnDeactivation]
+          )
+      }
+
+      try? AVAudioSession
+        .sharedInstance()
+        .setCategory(
+          currentCategory,
+          mode: .default,
+          options: categoryOptions
+        )
+    }
   }
 }
diff --git a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.native.ts b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.native.ts
index e05f173d64..b515206d9f 100644
--- a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.native.ts
+++ b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.native.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,20 @@
+import {Platform} from 'react-native'
 import {requireNativeModule} from 'expo-modules-core'
 
+import {AudioCategory} from './types'
+
 const NativeModule = requireNativeModule('ExpoPlatformInfo')
 
 export function getIsReducedMotionEnabled(): boolean {
   return NativeModule.getIsReducedMotionEnabled()
 }
+
+export function setAudioActive(active: boolean): void {
+  if (Platform.OS !== 'ios') return
+  NativeModule.setAudioActive(active)
+}
+
+export function setAudioCategory(audioCategory: AudioCategory): void {
+  if (Platform.OS !== 'ios') return
+  NativeModule.setAudioCategory(audioCategory)
+}
diff --git a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.ts b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.ts
index 9b9b7fc0c7..81f8c45f4d 100644
--- a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.ts
+++ b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,25 @@
 import {NotImplementedError} from '../NotImplemented'
+import {AudioCategory} from './types'
 
 export function getIsReducedMotionEnabled(): boolean {
   throw new NotImplementedError()
 }
+
+/**
+ * Set whether the app's audio should mix with other apps' audio. Will also resume background music playback when `false`
+ * if it was previously playing.
+ * @param mixWithOthers
+ * @see https://developer.apple.com/documentation/avfaudio/avaudiosession/setactiveoptions/1616603-notifyothersondeactivation
+ */
+export function setAudioActive(active: boolean): void {
+  throw new NotImplementedError({active})
+}
+
+/**
+ * Set the audio category for the app.
+ * @param audioCategory
+ * @platform ios
+ */
+export function setAudioCategory(audioCategory: AudioCategory): void {
+  throw new NotImplementedError({audioCategory})
+}
diff --git a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.web.ts b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.web.ts
index c7ae6b7cd4..61412753c9 100644
--- a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.web.ts
+++ b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/index.web.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,17 @@
+import {NotImplementedError} from '../NotImplemented'
+import {AudioCategory} from './types'
+
 export function getIsReducedMotionEnabled(): boolean {
   if (typeof window === 'undefined') {
     return false
   }
   return window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches
 }
+
+export function setAudioActive(active: boolean): void {
+  throw new NotImplementedError({active})
+}
+
+export function setAudioCategory(audioCategory: AudioCategory): void {
+  throw new NotImplementedError({audioCategory})
+}
diff --git a/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/types.ts b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..374f343183
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army/src/PlatformInfo/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+/**
+ * Sets the audio session category on iOS. In general, we should only need to use this for the `playback` and `ambient`
+ * categories. This enum however includes other categories that are available in the native API for clarity and
+ * potential future use.
+ * @see https://developer.apple.com/documentation/avfoundation/avaudiosession/category
+ * @platform ios
+ */
+export enum AudioCategory {
+  Ambient = 'AVAudioSessionCategoryAmbient',
+  Playback = 'AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback',
+  _SoloAmbient = 'AVAudioSessionCategorySoloAmbient',
+  _Record = 'AVAudioSessionCategoryRecord',
+  _PlayAndRecord = 'AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayAndRecord',
+  _MultiRoute = 'AVAudioSessionCategoryMultiRoute',
+}
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index faeee448c9..7c6e13afb6 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
     "expo-system-ui": "~3.0.4",
     "expo-task-manager": "~11.8.1",
     "expo-updates": "~0.25.14",
-    "expo-video": "^1.1.10",
+    "expo-video": "^1.2.4",
     "expo-web-browser": "~13.0.3",
     "fast-text-encoding": "^1.0.6",
     "history": "^5.3.0",
diff --git a/patches/expo-video+1.1.10.patch b/patches/expo-video+1.1.10.patch
deleted file mode 100644
index b183be9d41..0000000000
--- a/patches/expo-video+1.1.10.patch
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
---- a/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/PlayerViewExtension.kt
-+++ b/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/PlayerViewExtension.kt
-@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ internal fun PlayerView.applyRequiresLinearPlayback(requireLinearPlayback: Boole
-   setShowPreviousButton(!requireLinearPlayback)
-   setShowNextButton(!requireLinearPlayback)
-   setTimeBarInteractive(requireLinearPlayback)
-+  setShowSubtitleButton(true)
- }
-
- @androidx.annotation.OptIn(androidx.media3.common.util.UnstableApi::class)
-@@ -27,7 +28,8 @@ internal fun PlayerView.setTimeBarInteractive(interactive: Boolean) {
-
- @androidx.annotation.OptIn(androidx.media3.common.util.UnstableApi::class)
- internal fun PlayerView.setFullscreenButtonVisibility(visible: Boolean) {
--  val fullscreenButton = findViewById<android.widget.ImageButton>(androidx.media3.ui.R.id.exo_fullscreen)
-+  val fullscreenButton =
-+    findViewById<android.widget.ImageButton>(androidx.media3.ui.R.id.exo_fullscreen)
-   fullscreenButton?.visibility = if (visible) {
-     android.view.View.VISIBLE
-   } else {
diff --git a/patches/expo-video+1.2.4.patch b/patches/expo-video+1.2.4.patch
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..918c8a8d25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/patches/expo-video+1.2.4.patch
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+diff --git a/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/PlayerViewExtension.kt b/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/PlayerViewExtension.kt
+index 9905e13..47342ff 100644
+--- a/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/PlayerViewExtension.kt
++++ b/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/PlayerViewExtension.kt
+@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ internal fun PlayerView.applyRequiresLinearPlayback(requireLinearPlayback: Boole
+   setShowPreviousButton(!requireLinearPlayback)
+   setShowNextButton(!requireLinearPlayback)
+   setTimeBarInteractive(requireLinearPlayback)
++  setShowSubtitleButton(true)
+ }
+ 
+ @androidx.annotation.OptIn(androidx.media3.common.util.UnstableApi::class)
+@@ -27,7 +28,8 @@ internal fun PlayerView.setTimeBarInteractive(interactive: Boolean) {
+ 
+ @androidx.annotation.OptIn(androidx.media3.common.util.UnstableApi::class)
+ internal fun PlayerView.setFullscreenButtonVisibility(visible: Boolean) {
+-  val fullscreenButton = findViewById<android.widget.ImageButton>(androidx.media3.ui.R.id.exo_fullscreen)
++  val fullscreenButton =
++    findViewById<android.widget.ImageButton>(androidx.media3.ui.R.id.exo_fullscreen)
+   fullscreenButton?.visibility = if (visible) {
+     android.view.View.VISIBLE
+   } else {
+diff --git a/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/VideoModule.kt b/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/VideoModule.kt
+index ec3da2a..5a1397a 100644
+--- a/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/VideoModule.kt
++++ b/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/VideoModule.kt
+@@ -43,7 +43,9 @@ class VideoModule : Module() {
+     View(VideoView::class) {
+       Events(
+         "onPictureInPictureStart",
+-        "onPictureInPictureStop"
++        "onPictureInPictureStop",
++        "onEnterFullscreen",
++        "onExitFullscreen"
+       )
+ 
+       Prop("player") { view: VideoView, player: VideoPlayer ->
+diff --git a/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/VideoView.kt b/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/VideoView.kt
+index a951d80..3932535 100644
+--- a/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/VideoView.kt
++++ b/node_modules/expo-video/android/src/main/java/expo/modules/video/VideoView.kt
+@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ class VideoView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context, ap
+   val playerView: PlayerView = PlayerView(context.applicationContext)
+   val onPictureInPictureStart by EventDispatcher<Unit>()
+   val onPictureInPictureStop by EventDispatcher<Unit>()
++  val onEnterFullscreen by EventDispatcher()
++  val onExitFullscreen by EventDispatcher()
+ 
+   var willEnterPiP: Boolean = false
+   var isInFullscreen: Boolean = false
+@@ -154,6 +156,7 @@ class VideoView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context, ap
+       @Suppress("DEPRECATION")
+       currentActivity.overridePendingTransition(0, 0)
+     }
++    onEnterFullscreen(mapOf())
+     isInFullscreen = true
+   }
+ 
+@@ -162,6 +165,7 @@ class VideoView(context: Context, appContext: AppContext) : ExpoView(context, ap
+     val fullScreenButton: ImageButton = playerView.findViewById(androidx.media3.ui.R.id.exo_fullscreen)
+     fullScreenButton.setImageResource(androidx.media3.ui.R.drawable.exo_icon_fullscreen_enter)
+     videoPlayer?.changePlayerView(playerView)
++    this.onExitFullscreen(mapOf())
+     isInFullscreen = false
+   }
+ 
+diff --git a/node_modules/expo-video/build/VideoView.types.d.ts b/node_modules/expo-video/build/VideoView.types.d.ts
+index cb9ca6d..60e9f4e 100644
+--- a/node_modules/expo-video/build/VideoView.types.d.ts
++++ b/node_modules/expo-video/build/VideoView.types.d.ts
+@@ -89,5 +89,8 @@ export interface VideoViewProps extends ViewProps {
+      * @platform ios 16.0+
+      */
+     allowsVideoFrameAnalysis?: boolean;
++
++    onEnterFullscreen?: () => void;
++    onExitFullscreen?: () => void;
+ }
+ //# sourceMappingURL=VideoView.types.d.ts.map
+diff --git a/node_modules/expo-video/ios/VideoModule.swift b/node_modules/expo-video/ios/VideoModule.swift
+index c537a12..e4a918f 100644
+--- a/node_modules/expo-video/ios/VideoModule.swift
++++ b/node_modules/expo-video/ios/VideoModule.swift
+@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ public final class VideoModule: Module {
+     View(VideoView.self) {
+       Events(
+         "onPictureInPictureStart",
+-        "onPictureInPictureStop"
++        "onPictureInPictureStop",
++        "onEnterFullscreen",
++        "onExitFullscreen"
+       )
+ 
+       Prop("player") { (view, player: VideoPlayer?) in
+diff --git a/node_modules/expo-video/ios/VideoView.swift b/node_modules/expo-video/ios/VideoView.swift
+index f4579e4..10c5908 100644
+--- a/node_modules/expo-video/ios/VideoView.swift
++++ b/node_modules/expo-video/ios/VideoView.swift
+@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ public final class VideoView: ExpoView, AVPlayerViewControllerDelegate {
+ 
+   let onPictureInPictureStart = EventDispatcher()
+   let onPictureInPictureStop = EventDispatcher()
++  let onEnterFullscreen = EventDispatcher()
++  let onExitFullscreen = EventDispatcher()
+ 
+   public override var bounds: CGRect {
+     didSet {
+@@ -163,6 +165,7 @@ public final class VideoView: ExpoView, AVPlayerViewControllerDelegate {
+     _ playerViewController: AVPlayerViewController,
+     willBeginFullScreenPresentationWithAnimationCoordinator coordinator: UIViewControllerTransitionCoordinator
+   ) {
++    onEnterFullscreen()
+     isFullscreen = true
+   }
+ 
+@@ -179,6 +182,7 @@ public final class VideoView: ExpoView, AVPlayerViewControllerDelegate {
+         if wasPlaying {
+           self.player?.pointer.play()
+         }
++        self.onExitFullscreen()
+         self.isFullscreen = false
+       }
+     }
+diff --git a/node_modules/expo-video/src/VideoView.types.ts b/node_modules/expo-video/src/VideoView.types.ts
+index 29fe5db..e1fbf59 100644
+--- a/node_modules/expo-video/src/VideoView.types.ts
++++ b/node_modules/expo-video/src/VideoView.types.ts
+@@ -100,4 +100,7 @@ export interface VideoViewProps extends ViewProps {
+    * @platform ios 16.0+
+    */
+   allowsVideoFrameAnalysis?: boolean;
++
++  onEnterFullscreen?: () => void;
++  onExitFullscreen?: () => void;
+ }
diff --git a/patches/expo-video+1.2.4.patch.md b/patches/expo-video+1.2.4.patch.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..689cf9a926
--- /dev/null
+++ b/patches/expo-video+1.2.4.patch.md
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+## uwu woad beawing, do not wemove
+
+## `expo-video` Patch
+
+This patch adds two props to `VideoView`: `onEnterFullscreen` and `onExitFullscreen` which do exactly what they say on
+the tin.
diff --git a/src/App.native.tsx b/src/App.native.tsx
index d2c20fc8e7..8e7c53b93b 100644
--- a/src/App.native.tsx
+++ b/src/App.native.tsx
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ import {Provider as PortalProvider} from '#/components/Portal'
 import {Splash} from '#/Splash'
 import {Provider as TourProvider} from '#/tours'
 import {BackgroundNotificationPreferencesProvider} from '../modules/expo-background-notification-handler/src/BackgroundNotificationHandlerProvider'
+import {AudioCategory, PlatformInfo} from '../modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army'
 
 SplashScreen.preventAutoHideAsync()
 
@@ -157,6 +158,8 @@ function App() {
   const [isReady, setReady] = useState(false)
 
   React.useEffect(() => {
+    PlatformInfo.setAudioCategory(AudioCategory.Ambient)
+    PlatformInfo.setAudioActive(true)
     initPersistedState().then(() => setReady(true))
   }, [])
 
diff --git a/src/components/dialogs/GifSelect.tsx b/src/components/dialogs/GifSelect.tsx
index a64edcd6f0..51cfa10fb1 100644
--- a/src/components/dialogs/GifSelect.tsx
+++ b/src/components/dialogs/GifSelect.tsx
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ function DialogError({details}: {details?: string}) {
   const control = Dialog.useDialogContext()
 
   return (
-    <Dialog.ScrollableInner style={a.gap_md} label={_(msg`An error occured`)}>
+    <Dialog.ScrollableInner style={a.gap_md} label={_(msg`An error has occurred`)}>
       <Dialog.Close />
       <ErrorScreen
         title={_(msg`Oh no!`)}
diff --git a/src/view/com/composer/videos/VideoTranscodeProgress.tsx b/src/view/com/composer/videos/VideoTranscodeProgress.tsx
index db58448a30..a44b633cd5 100644
--- a/src/view/com/composer/videos/VideoTranscodeProgress.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/composer/videos/VideoTranscodeProgress.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {View} from 'react-native'
 // @ts-expect-error no type definition
 import ProgressPie from 'react-native-progress/Pie'
 import {ImagePickerAsset} from 'expo-image-picker'
+import {Trans} from '@lingui/macro'
 
 import {atoms as a, useTheme} from '#/alf'
 import {Text} from '#/components/Typography'
@@ -46,7 +47,9 @@ export function VideoTranscodeProgress({
           color={t.atoms.text.color}
           progress={progress}
         />
-        <Text>Compressing...</Text>
+        <Text>
+          <Trans>Compressing...</Trans>
+        </Text>
       </View>
     </View>
   )
diff --git a/src/view/com/posts/FeedItem.tsx b/src/view/com/posts/FeedItem.tsx
index 8592f0bec2..0071e2401b 100644
--- a/src/view/com/posts/FeedItem.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/posts/FeedItem.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import React, {memo, useMemo, useState} from 'react'
+import React, {memo, useId, useMemo, useState} from 'react'
 import {StyleSheet, View} from 'react-native'
 import {
   AppBskyActorDefs,
@@ -137,7 +137,6 @@ let FeedItemInner = ({
   const {openComposer} = useComposerControls()
   const pal = usePalette('default')
   const {_} = useLingui()
-  const gate = useGate()
 
   const href = useMemo(() => {
     const urip = new AtUri(post.uri)
@@ -356,9 +355,7 @@ let FeedItemInner = ({
             postAuthor={post.author}
             onOpenEmbed={onOpenEmbed}
           />
-          {gate('video_debug') && (
-            <VideoEmbed source="https://lumi.jazco.dev/watch/did:plc:q6gjnaw2blty4crticxkmujt/Qmc8w93UpTa2adJHg4ZhnDPrBs1EsbzrekzPcqF5SwusuZ/playlist.m3u8" />
-          )}
+          <VideoDebug />
           <PostCtrls
             post={post}
             record={record}
@@ -501,6 +498,19 @@ function ReplyToLabel({
   )
 }
 
+function VideoDebug() {
+  const gate = useGate()
+  const id = useId()
+
+  if (!gate('video_debug')) return null
+
+  return (
+    <VideoEmbed
+      source={`https://lumi.jazco.dev/watch/did:plc:q6gjnaw2blty4crticxkmujt/Qmc8w93UpTa2adJHg4ZhnDPrBs1EsbzrekzPcqF5SwusuZ/playlist.m3u8?ignore_me_just_testing_frontend_stuff=${id}`}
+    />
+  )
+}
+
 const styles = StyleSheet.create({
   outer: {
     paddingLeft: 10,
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbed.tsx b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbed.tsx
index 887efac1ab..4e2909f40b 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbed.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbed.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-import React from 'react'
+import React, {useCallback, useState} from 'react'
 import {View} from 'react-native'
-import {msg} from '@lingui/macro'
+import {msg, Trans} from '@lingui/macro'
 import {useLingui} from '@lingui/react'
 
 import {VideoEmbedInnerNative} from 'view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerNative'
@@ -8,13 +8,23 @@ import {atoms as a, useTheme} from '#/alf'
 import {Button, ButtonIcon} from '#/components/Button'
 import {Play_Filled_Corner2_Rounded as PlayIcon} from '#/components/icons/Play'
 import {VisibilityView} from '../../../../../modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army'
+import {ErrorBoundary} from '../ErrorBoundary'
 import {useActiveVideoView} from './ActiveVideoContext'
+import * as VideoFallback from './VideoEmbedInner/VideoFallback'
 
 export function VideoEmbed({source}: {source: string}) {
   const t = useTheme()
   const {active, setActive} = useActiveVideoView({source})
   const {_} = useLingui()
 
+  const [key, setKey] = useState(0)
+  const renderError = useCallback(
+    (error: unknown) => (
+      <VideoError error={error} retry={() => setKey(key + 1)} />
+    ),
+    [key],
+  )
+
   return (
     <View
       style={[
@@ -25,27 +35,42 @@ export function VideoEmbed({source}: {source: string}) {
         t.atoms.bg_contrast_25,
         a.my_xs,
       ]}>
-      <VisibilityView
-        enabled={true}
-        onChangeStatus={isActive => {
-          if (isActive) {
-            setActive()
-          }
-        }}>
-        {active ? (
-          <VideoEmbedInnerNative />
-        ) : (
-          <Button
-            style={[a.flex_1, t.atoms.bg_contrast_25]}
-            onPress={setActive}
-            label={_(msg`Play video`)}
-            variant="ghost"
-            color="secondary"
-            size="large">
-            <ButtonIcon icon={PlayIcon} />
-          </Button>
-        )}
-      </VisibilityView>
+      <ErrorBoundary renderError={renderError} key={key}>
+        <VisibilityView
+          enabled={true}
+          onChangeStatus={isActive => {
+            if (isActive) {
+              setActive()
+            }
+          }}>
+          {active ? (
+            <VideoEmbedInnerNative />
+          ) : (
+            <Button
+              style={[a.flex_1, t.atoms.bg_contrast_25]}
+              onPress={setActive}
+              label={_(msg`Play video`)}
+              variant="ghost"
+              color="secondary"
+              size="large">
+              <ButtonIcon icon={PlayIcon} />
+            </Button>
+          )}
+        </VisibilityView>
+      </ErrorBoundary>
     </View>
   )
 }
+
+function VideoError({retry}: {error: unknown; retry: () => void}) {
+  return (
+    <VideoFallback.Container>
+      <VideoFallback.Text>
+        <Trans>
+          An error occurred while loading the video. Please try again later.
+        </Trans>
+      </VideoFallback.Text>
+      <VideoFallback.RetryButton onPress={retry} />
+    </VideoFallback.Container>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbed.web.tsx b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbed.web.tsx
index 70d887283e..5803b836df 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbed.web.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbed.web.tsx
@@ -1,17 +1,15 @@
 import React, {useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState} from 'react'
 import {View} from 'react-native'
-import {msg, Trans} from '@lingui/macro'
-import {useLingui} from '@lingui/react'
+import {Trans} from '@lingui/macro'
 
 import {
   HLSUnsupportedError,
   VideoEmbedInnerWeb,
 } from 'view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerWeb'
 import {atoms as a, useTheme} from '#/alf'
-import {Button, ButtonText} from '#/components/Button'
-import {Text} from '#/components/Typography'
 import {ErrorBoundary} from '../ErrorBoundary'
 import {useActiveVideoView} from './ActiveVideoContext'
+import * as VideoFallback from './VideoEmbedInner/VideoFallback'
 
 export function VideoEmbed({source}: {source: string}) {
   const t = useTheme()
@@ -138,32 +136,11 @@ function ViewportObserver({
 }
 
 function VideoError({error, retry}: {error: unknown; retry: () => void}) {
-  const t = useTheme()
-  const {_} = useLingui()
-
   const isHLS = error instanceof HLSUnsupportedError
 
   return (
-    <View
-      style={[
-        a.flex_1,
-        t.atoms.bg_contrast_25,
-        a.justify_center,
-        a.align_center,
-        a.px_lg,
-        a.border,
-        t.atoms.border_contrast_low,
-        a.rounded_sm,
-        a.gap_lg,
-      ]}>
-      <Text
-        style={[
-          a.text_center,
-          t.atoms.text_contrast_high,
-          a.text_md,
-          a.leading_snug,
-          {maxWidth: 300},
-        ]}>
+    <VideoFallback.Container>
+      <VideoFallback.Text>
         {isHLS ? (
           <Trans>
             Your browser does not support the video format. Please try a
@@ -174,19 +151,8 @@ function VideoError({error, retry}: {error: unknown; retry: () => void}) {
             An error occurred while loading the video. Please try again later.
           </Trans>
         )}
-      </Text>
-      {!isHLS && (
-        <Button
-          onPress={retry}
-          size="small"
-          color="secondary_inverted"
-          variant="solid"
-          label={_(msg`Retry`)}>
-          <ButtonText>
-            <Trans>Retry</Trans>
-          </ButtonText>
-        </Button>
-      )}
-    </View>
+      </VideoFallback.Text>
+      {!isHLS && <VideoFallback.RetryButton onPress={retry} />}
+    </VideoFallback.Container>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerNative.tsx b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerNative.tsx
index cc356fb069..0b48edf793 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerNative.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoEmbedInnerNative.tsx
@@ -1,27 +1,76 @@
-import React, {useEffect, useRef, useState} from 'react'
+import React, {useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState} from 'react'
 import {Pressable, View} from 'react-native'
+import Animated, {FadeInDown, FadeOutDown} from 'react-native-reanimated'
 import {VideoPlayer, VideoView} from 'expo-video'
+import {msg} from '@lingui/macro'
+import {useLingui} from '@lingui/react'
+import {useIsFocused} from '@react-navigation/native'
 
-import {useVideoPlayer} from 'view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoPlayerContext'
-import {android, atoms as a} from '#/alf'
+import {HITSLOP_30} from '#/lib/constants'
+import {useAppState} from '#/lib/hooks/useAppState'
+import {useVideoPlayer} from '#/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoPlayerContext'
+import {android, atoms as a, useTheme} from '#/alf'
+import {Mute_Stroke2_Corner0_Rounded as MuteIcon} from '#/components/icons/Mute'
+import {SpeakerVolumeFull_Stroke2_Corner0_Rounded as UnmuteIcon} from '#/components/icons/Speaker'
 import {Text} from '#/components/Typography'
+import {
+  AudioCategory,
+  PlatformInfo,
+} from '../../../../../../modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army'
 
 export function VideoEmbedInnerNative() {
   const player = useVideoPlayer()
   const ref = useRef<VideoView>(null)
+  const isScreenFocused = useIsFocused()
+  const isAppFocused = useAppState()
+  const prevFocusedRef = useRef(isAppFocused)
+
+  // resume video when coming back from background
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (isAppFocused !== prevFocusedRef.current) {
+      prevFocusedRef.current = isAppFocused
+      if (isAppFocused === 'active') {
+        player.play()
+      }
+    }
+  }, [isAppFocused, player])
+
+  // pause the video when the screen is not focused
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isScreenFocused) {
+      let wasPlaying = player.playing
+      player.pause()
+
+      return () => {
+        if (wasPlaying) player.play()
+      }
+    }
+  }, [isScreenFocused, player])
+
+  const enterFullscreen = useCallback(() => {
+    ref.current?.enterFullscreen()
+  }, [])
 
   return (
-    <View style={[a.flex_1, a.relative]} collapsable={false}>
+    <View style={[a.flex_1, a.relative]}>
       <VideoView
         ref={ref}
         player={player}
-        style={a.flex_1}
+        style={[a.flex_1, a.rounded_sm]}
         nativeControls={true}
+        onEnterFullscreen={() => {
+          PlatformInfo.setAudioCategory(AudioCategory.Playback)
+          PlatformInfo.setAudioActive(false)
+          player.muted = false
+        }}
+        onExitFullscreen={() => {
+          PlatformInfo.setAudioCategory(AudioCategory.Ambient)
+          PlatformInfo.setAudioActive(true)
+          player.muted = true
+          if (!player.playing) player.play()
+        }}
       />
-      <Controls
-        player={player}
-        enterFullscreen={() => ref.current?.enterFullscreen()}
-      />
+      <Controls player={player} enterFullscreen={enterFullscreen} />
     </View>
   )
 }
@@ -33,6 +82,9 @@ function Controls({
   player: VideoPlayer
   enterFullscreen: () => void
 }) {
+  const {_} = useLingui()
+  const t = useTheme()
+  const [isMuted, setIsMuted] = useState(player.muted)
   const [duration, setDuration] = useState(() => Math.floor(player.duration))
   const [currentTime, setCurrentTime] = useState(() =>
     Math.floor(player.currentTime),
@@ -47,50 +99,121 @@ function Controls({
       // duration gets reset to 0 on loop
       if (player.duration) setDuration(Math.floor(player.duration))
       setCurrentTime(Math.floor(player.currentTime))
+
       // how often should we update the time?
       // 1000 gets out of sync with the video time
     }, 250)
 
+    // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-shadow
+    const sub = player.addListener('volumeChange', ({isMuted}) => {
+      setIsMuted(isMuted)
+    })
+
     return () => {
       clearInterval(interval)
+      sub.remove()
     }
   }, [player])
 
-  if (isNaN(timeRemaining)) {
-    return null
-  }
+  const onPressFullscreen = useCallback(() => {
+    switch (player.status) {
+      case 'idle':
+      case 'loading':
+      case 'readyToPlay': {
+        if (!player.playing) player.play()
+        enterFullscreen()
+        break
+      }
+      case 'error': {
+        player.replay()
+        break
+      }
+    }
+  }, [player, enterFullscreen])
+
+  const toggleMuted = useCallback(() => {
+    const muted = !player.muted
+    // We want to set this to the _inverse_ of the new value, because we actually want for the audio to be mixed when
+    // the video is muted, and vice versa.
+    const mix = !muted
+    const category = muted ? AudioCategory.Ambient : AudioCategory.Playback
+
+    PlatformInfo.setAudioCategory(category)
+    PlatformInfo.setAudioActive(mix)
+    player.muted = muted
+  }, [player])
+
+  // show countdown when:
+  // 1. timeRemaining is a number - was seeing NaNs
+  // 2. duration is greater than 0 - means metadata has loaded
+  // 3. we're less than 5 second into the video
+  const showTime = !isNaN(timeRemaining) && duration > 0 && currentTime <= 5
 
   return (
     <View style={[a.absolute, a.inset_0]}>
-      <View
-        style={[
-          {
-            backgroundColor: 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75',
+      {showTime && (
+        <Animated.View
+          entering={FadeInDown.duration(300)}
+          exiting={FadeOutDown.duration(500)}
+          style={[
+            {
+              backgroundColor: 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75)',
+              borderRadius: 6,
+              paddingHorizontal: 6,
+              paddingVertical: 3,
+              position: 'absolute',
+              left: 5,
+              bottom: 5,
+              minHeight: 20,
+              justifyContent: 'center',
+            },
+          ]}>
+          <Text
+            style={[
+              {color: t.palette.white, fontSize: 12},
+              a.font_bold,
+              android({lineHeight: 1.25}),
+            ]}>
+            {minutes}:{seconds}
+          </Text>
+        </Animated.View>
+      )}
+      <Pressable
+        onPress={onPressFullscreen}
+        style={a.flex_1}
+        accessibilityLabel={_(msg`Video`)}
+        accessibilityHint={_(msg`Tap to enter full screen`)}
+        accessibilityRole="button"
+      />
+      {duration > 0 && (
+        <Animated.View
+          entering={FadeInDown.duration(300)}
+          style={{
+            backgroundColor: 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75)',
             borderRadius: 6,
             paddingHorizontal: 6,
             paddingVertical: 3,
             position: 'absolute',
-            left: 5,
             bottom: 5,
-          },
-        ]}
-        pointerEvents="none">
-        <Text
-          style={[
-            {color: 'white', fontSize: 12},
-            a.font_bold,
-            android({lineHeight: 1.25}),
-          ]}>
-          {minutes}:{seconds}
-        </Text>
-      </View>
-      <Pressable
-        onPress={enterFullscreen}
-        style={a.flex_1}
-        accessibilityLabel="Video"
-        accessibilityHint="Tap to enter full screen"
-        accessibilityRole="button"
-      />
+            right: 5,
+            minHeight: 20,
+            justifyContent: 'center',
+          }}>
+          <Pressable
+            onPress={toggleMuted}
+            style={a.flex_1}
+            accessibilityLabel={isMuted ? _(msg`Muted`) : _(msg`Unmuted`)}
+            accessibilityHint={_(msg`Tap to toggle sound`)}
+            accessibilityRole="button"
+            hitSlop={HITSLOP_30}>
+            {isMuted ? (
+              <MuteIcon width={14} fill={t.palette.white} />
+            ) : (
+              <UnmuteIcon width={14} fill={t.palette.white} />
+            )}
+          </Pressable>
+        </Animated.View>
+      )}
     </View>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoFallback.tsx b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoFallback.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1b46163cce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoEmbedInner/VideoFallback.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+import React from 'react'
+import {View} from 'react-native'
+import {msg, Trans} from '@lingui/macro'
+import {useLingui} from '@lingui/react'
+
+import {atoms as a, useTheme} from '#/alf'
+import {Button, ButtonText} from '#/components/Button'
+import {Text as TypoText} from '#/components/Typography'
+
+export function Container({children}: {children: React.ReactNode}) {
+  const t = useTheme()
+  return (
+    <View
+      style={[
+        a.flex_1,
+        t.atoms.bg_contrast_25,
+        a.justify_center,
+        a.align_center,
+        a.px_lg,
+        a.border,
+        t.atoms.border_contrast_low,
+        a.rounded_sm,
+        a.gap_lg,
+      ]}>
+      {children}
+    </View>
+  )
+}
+
+export function Text({children}: {children: React.ReactNode}) {
+  const t = useTheme()
+  return (
+    <TypoText
+      style={[
+        a.text_center,
+        t.atoms.text_contrast_high,
+        a.text_md,
+        a.leading_snug,
+        {maxWidth: 300},
+      ]}>
+      {children}
+    </TypoText>
+  )
+}
+
+export function RetryButton({onPress}: {onPress: () => void}) {
+  const {_} = useLingui()
+
+  return (
+    <Button
+      onPress={onPress}
+      size="small"
+      color="secondary_inverted"
+      variant="solid"
+      label={_(msg`Retry`)}>
+      <ButtonText>
+        <Trans>Retry</Trans>
+      </ButtonText>
+    </Button>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoPlayerContext.tsx b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoPlayerContext.tsx
index 473343ca4b..8f2d11f6bc 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoPlayerContext.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/post-embeds/VideoPlayerContext.tsx
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ export function VideoPlayerProvider({
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-shadow
   const player = useExpoVideoPlayer(source, player => {
     player.loop = true
+    player.muted = true
     player.play()
   })
 
diff --git a/yarn.lock b/yarn.lock
index 16547aa3ad..ba1227f30b 100644
--- a/yarn.lock
+++ b/yarn.lock
@@ -12302,10 +12302,10 @@ expo-updates@~0.25.14:
     ignore "^5.3.1"
     resolve-from "^5.0.0"
 
-expo-video@^1.1.10:
-  version "1.1.10"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/expo-video/-/expo-video-1.1.10.tgz#b47c0d40c21f401236639424bd25d70c09316b7b"
-  integrity sha512-k9ecpgtwAK8Ut8enm8Jv398XkB/uVOyLLqk80M/d8pH9EN5CVrBQ7iEzWlR3quvVUFM7Uf5wRukJ4hk3mZ8NCg==
+expo-video@^1.2.4:
+  version "1.2.4"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/expo-video/-/expo-video-1.2.4.tgz#787342aded4295a1b6864f59227d178b93e1bb53"
+  integrity sha512-pBK9mt7vYAbuPQjCSQxHQ7xrNjbmRheJep7JIStEg57O183/JRfP2blKuXniiSt1HBdZYPdoQnGRa3jGMXB9pg==
 
 expo-web-browser@~13.0.3:
   version "13.0.3"