# Play the Frame by Frame (Step Forward, Back)

**URL:** https://forums.plex.tv/t/play-the-frame-by-frame-step-forward-back/829633
**Category:** Feature Suggestions
**Tags:** plex-web, player-mac, player-windows
**Created:** [February 5, 2023, 11:17am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/play-the-frame-by-frame-step-forward-back/829633 "2023-02-05T11:17:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/play-the-frame-by-frame-step-forward-back/829633/2 "2023-02-05T14:04:13Z")

</div>

I don’t know if this will ever be possible in the web app, but for the desktop players there is a solution:

**Plex for Windows/Mac/Linux:**  
Modify the solution in here [Video Zoom (Crop) in Plex Desktop app - #6 by German](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-zoom-crop-in-plex-desktop-app/803256/6)  
by replacing the file `zoom-keybinds.lua` with a file named `step-keybinds.lua` with the following content:

```auto
function stepFwd()
    mp.command("frame-step")
    mp.osd_message("frame +1", 0.5)
end

function stepBack()
    mp.command("frame-back-step")
    mp.osd_message("frame -1", 0.5)
end

mp.add_forced_key_binding(".", "stepFwd", stepFwd)
mp.add_forced_key_binding(",", "stepBack", stepBack)

```

(You can also add both files if you want the zoom functionality from the linked article as well.)

For **PlexHTPC** , take a look at this post: [Using Plex HTPC on 21:9 aspect ratio screen - #2 by o\_spring](https://forums.plex.tv/t/using-plex-htpc-on-21-9-aspect-ratio-screen/794354/2)  
Instead of adding the lines from the post, add these:

```auto
	// frame back and forth
	"\\." : "mpv:frame-step",
	"," : "mpv:frame-back-step",

```

Both methods use the `.` and the `,` keys for frame forward and back. You might be able to customize to other keys, but better avoid keys which are already in use in the player.

Resuming normal playback might require two presses on the `Space` bar, instead of just one.

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_[View the full topic](https://forums.plex.tv/t/play-the-frame-by-frame-step-forward-back/829633)._