On iOS HLS video does not start playing

[xephosbot]

iOS implementation has issues with HLS playback. When an HLS stream is loaded, the video does not start playing.

Playback only starts after the app is sent to background (Home button) and then opened again. This behavior looks like a desynchronization between VideoPlayerState and VideoSurface that renders the video.

Simulator.Screen.Recording.-.iPhone.16e.-.2026-01-04.at.21.08.57.mov

[xephosbot]

I will try to investigate this issue.
The iOS implementation contains many unclear workarounds, so the problem may be caused by one of them.

[xephosbot]

I’ve created a PR with the fixes. #156

Please take a look when you have time.
I’ve also attached a video showing how it looks after the changes.

Simulator.Screen.Recording.-.iPhone.16e.-.2026-01-06.at.23.12.46.mov