When the Loom mobile app fails to upload videos over a 5G or LTE cellular connection, your recording remains trapped in an indefinite “Uploading…” loop, throws a “Upload Failed: Check your connection” error, or waits indefinitely until your phone connects to Wi-Fi. This issue occurs when mobile operating system data savers restrict background data transfers, when Loom’s in-app cellular upload toggle is disabled, or when cellular network policies throttle continuous multipart video streams.
Fast Fix
Open your iPhone or Android system settings, find Loom, and ensure Cellular Data and Background App Refresh are enabled. In the Loom app settings, turn off “Upload over Wi-Fi only.” Keep the Loom app open on screen until the upload hits 100%, as mobile operating systems suspend background uploads over cellular connections.
Diagnostic Snapshot
| Parameter | Operational Detail |
|---|---|
| Failure Layer | Mobile OS power management, cellular data policies, or chunked upload timeouts |
| Platforms Affected | iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android 13+ |
| Symptoms | Upload spinner freezes; upload resets to 0%; “Waiting for Wi-Fi” alert |
| Carrier Factors | Mobile video throttling, 5G Standalone (SA) packet loss, Low Data Mode |
Why 5G Mobile Uploads Fail
Uploading high-definition mobile screen recordings involves pushing large video containers to cloud servers. Unlike basic messaging apps that send small text or image payloads, Loom streams video in continuous chunked binary parts.
[Mobile Recording Finished] ──► [Loom Chunks Video Data] ──► [Streams to 5G Carrier Network]
│
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┴────────┐
▼ ▼
[App Stays in Foreground] [App Sent to Background]
│ │
Continuous Chunk Upload OS Cuts Background Sockets
│ │
Upload Reaches 100% (Success) Upload Fails / Resets to 0%
This transmission frequently breaks on mobile devices due to three factors:
- Aggressive OS Background Throttling: Both iOS and Android strictly manage battery and cellular data. If you switch to another app or lock your screen while an upload is underway on 5G, the operating system aggressively terminates the background upload socket within 30 seconds.
- Carrier-Level Video Throttling and MTU Fragmentation: Many unlimited 5G cellular plans throttle video upload and streaming protocols to standard-definition bitrates. If Loom attempts to burst a 1080p recording over a throttled connection, the socket times out.
- App-Level Wi-Fi Restrictions: Loom includes internal data-saving preferences to protect users from accidental cellular data overages. If enabled, the app queues all uploads until it detects a Wi-Fi connection.
Step-by-Step Resolution
Step 1: Disable “Upload Over Wi-Fi Only” in Loom
Make sure the app is authorized to use cellular data:
- Open the Loom app on your mobile device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top corner to access settings.
- Locate the toggle labeled Upload over Wi-Fi only (or Use Cellular Data).
- Ensure cellular uploads are allowed.
- Return to your library and tap the pending video to restart the transfer.
Step 2: Configure System Cellular and Background Permissions
- On iOS (iPhone):
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Scroll down and tap Loom.
- Ensure Cellular Data is toggled On.
- Ensure Background App Refresh is toggled On.
- Next, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
- Turn off Low Data Mode.
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Scroll down and tap Loom.
- Ensure Cellular Data is toggled On.
- Ensure Background App Refresh is toggled On.
- Next, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
- Turn off Low Data Mode.
- On Android:
- Open Settings > Apps > Loom.
- Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi.
- Enable both Background data and Unrestricted data usage.
- Go back one screen, tap Battery, and switch the setting from Optimized to Unrestricted.
- Open Settings > Apps > Loom.
- Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi.
- Enable both Background data and Unrestricted data usage.
- Go back one screen, tap Battery, and switch the setting from Optimized to Unrestricted.
Step 3: Keep the App in the Foreground Until Upload Completes
The most reliable way to prevent mobile upload drops over 5G is to bypass mobile sleep states entirely:
- Start your video upload.
- Do not close the Loom app, do not switch to other apps, and do not lock your screen.
- If your phone’s screen timeout is short:
- Temporarily set your auto-lock to 5 minutes or Never in your display settings.
- Temporarily set your auto-lock to 5 minutes or Never in your display settings.
- Watch the progress bar until the video confirms it has uploaded and entered the server-side processing phase.
- If the upload finishes but the video only captures voice without video frames, consult Troubleshooting: Loom “Audio Only” Recording when Camera is On.
Step 4: Toggle 5G Standalone and Network Bands
Some cellular towers suffer from packet loss when switching dynamically between 5G UW (Ultra Wideband), 5G SA (Standalone), and LTE mid-stream:
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data.
- Switch the setting from 5G On to 5G Auto (or temporarily select LTE).
- On Android: Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Preferred network type and select LTE/4G.
- Switching to LTE provides a more consistent, lower-latency upload stream if local 5G reception is fluctuating.
Escalation: Enterprise and Account Barriers
If cellular uploads fail across multiple cellular networks and devices within your organization:
- Account Token Expiration: If your session expired during upload, re-authenticate your mobile app. For enterprise users trapped in redirect loops, see Fix: Loom “SSO” sign-in loop for Enterprise accounts.
- Cloud Storage Quotas: If your workspace has hit its plan-level video count or storage ceiling, the API will refuse incoming mobile payloads at 99%. An administrator must review your subscription allocation under Workspace Settings.