Cover.mp4 Direct

When you record a video with enabled on a compatible Google Pixel device, your phone doesn't just create one file. Instead, it creates a "dual-file" system to balance immediate usability with high-end processing:

Once the boosted version is ready, Google Photos downloads the final high-quality version and typically deletes the massive raw MAIN.mp4 to save space. Cover.mp4

If you try to share the video before processing is finished, you are usually sharing the COVER.mp4 preview. When you record a video with enabled on

When using the Video Boost feature on Pixel phones, the device generates a temporary file named COVER.mp4 . This is a low-resolution (1080p) preview that you can view immediately while the high-quality version is being processed in the cloud. When using the Video Boost feature on Pixel

This is a 1080p, standard-quality video file. It is generated instantly so you can see what you captured, share it quickly, or check the framing without waiting for cloud processing.