Media: Vimeo, YouTube, Wistia & more
Apollos connects to the media platforms your church already uses — Vimeo, YouTube, Wistia, WordPress, Webflow, and Sardius — to bring your video, audio, and written content into the app automatically.
How it works
Video playback works on every plan — you can put a YouTube link or an HLS stream in any content item, no matter which plan you're on. What this page covers are the library and content sync integrations: connecting your Vimeo, YouTube, Wistia, WordPress, Webflow, or Sardius account so its content flows into Apollos automatically. Those sync integrations are available on the Max plan.
Media integrations are connected in Data → Catalog and work alongside your ChMS integration. Once connected, content from each platform syncs into Apollos on a regular schedule and appears in your app's feeds. Everything that syncs is also indexed for the app's search bar, so members can find sermons, articles, and devotionals no matter which platform they came from — see Search.
Supported formats
- HLS streaming — adaptive-quality video links ending in
.m3u8. - MP4 — standard video files.
- YouTube embeds — YouTube video links inside content.
- Vimeo embeds — via Rock attributes or the direct Vimeo connection.
- MP3 audio — for podcast-style or music content.
Connect Vimeo
There are two ways Vimeo content reaches Apollos:
- Direct connection — connect your Vimeo account in Data → Catalog → Vimeo. Apollos pulls video content from your account independently of your ChMS.
- Via Rock RMS attributes — if you use Rock, add a VimeoId or VimeoLink attribute (the video's ID or URL) to a Rock content item. When the content syncs, Apollos pulls the video for playback automatically. See Rock RMS.
Connect YouTube
Connect your church's YouTube channel in Data → Catalog → YouTube to sync its videos into the app. YouTube videos can also be embedded inside content items, and YouTube links can be attached to Creator AI sessions to generate content from a video — see Creator AI.
Connect Wistia
Connect in Data → Catalog → Wistia to bring Wistia-hosted videos into your app content.
Connect WordPress
Connect in Data → Catalog → WordPress to sync written content — blog posts, articles, devotionals — into Apollos. Synced posts are searchable and can be placed in your app's feeds. This is ideal for churches that maintain a WordPress blog and want that content in their app.
Known issue: very high sync volume can occasionally cause your WordPress host to block requests. If your WordPress content stops syncing, contact Apollos support.
Connect Webflow
Connect in Data → Catalog → Webflow to sync content from a Webflow-built website.
Connect Sardius
Connect in Data → Catalog → Sardius for Sardius-hosted video content. There are ongoing issues being worked through with the Sardius team — contact Apollos support if you run into problems.
Troubleshooting
Why does Admin warn me about a YouTube or Vimeo link?
YouTube and Vimeo links play in your mobile app and on the web, but they don't play reliably on Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku. If your church has TV apps, Admin warns you when content uses one of those links so you can supply an HLS stream instead. See TV apps (Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku).
Why isn't a link in a synced YouTube description tappable?
It should be. Web and email addresses in imported YouTube descriptions become tappable links in the app. If one still isn't tappable, check the description in YouTube — an address written without its full form may not be recognized — then contact Apollos support with the content title.
Why isn't my video playing?
Check the video link format (a valid HLS or MP4 link), verify the hosting provider is online, and test playback in the Admin preview. If it plays in Admin but not in the app, the content type or video link format is likely wrong.
For WordPress-synced media, Vimeo links should stay connected to Vimeo instead of being treated as YouTube videos. If a synced Vimeo video still opens as a broken YouTube item, contact Apollos support with the WordPress post and video link.
Why isn't the "LIVE" badge appearing?
The live badge only appears on content of the WeekendContentItem type while a livestream is actually active. See Church Online Platform.
Why did my WordPress content stop syncing?
Your WordPress host may have blocked sync requests due to high volume. Contact Apollos support to investigate.
Why do cover images keep reloading or flashing?
Synced media keeps its image details between syncs, including dimensions and placeholders. If event images or Sardius cover images keep reloading or flashing after a new sync, contact Apollos support with the content title and media source.
Why isn't MP3 audio working in my web embeds?
This was a legacy issue that has been fixed. If you're still seeing problems, contact Apollos support.