Solving CSS Variable Issues in jQuery for Keyframe Animations in Safari and Mobile Browsers

Discover how to tackle issues with CSS variable animations in Safari and mobile browsers using `jQuery`. Get a step-by-step solution to enhance your web animations.
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Solving CSS Variable Issues in jQuery for Keyframe Animations in Safari and Mobile Browsers

When it comes to creating smooth and dynamic animations on our web pages, CSS animations combined with JavaScript can create stunning visual experiences. However, issues can arise when certain functionalities work perfectly on one browser but fail on another, such as Safari or mobile browsers. This is a common frustration among web developers, especially when using CSS variables in jQuery defined animations.

In this guide, we will explore a specific problem involving CSS keyframe animations that utilize a CSS variable defined in jQuery, which runs well in Chrome and Firefox but not in Safari or on mobile devices. We'll dive into a detailed solution for this issue and provide you with the necessary code snippets to implement it effectively.

The Problem

The issue stems from using CSS variables within keyframe animations defined in jQuery. Here's a summary of the symptoms:

The animation functions correctly in Chrome and Firefox but malfunctions in Safari and on mobile browsers.

The CSS variable appears to be defined correctly in the Safari Developer Tools, but the animation relying on that variable does not animate as expected.

Hardcoding the variable produces the expected results, but using jQuery to define the variable results in inconsistent behavior.

Key observations:

The variable works if used as a property of an element in CSS.

The variable sometimes causes the animation to "kick in" unexpectedly after some time, but there is no clear way to replicate this behavior.

Understanding the Solution

After thorough debugging, the conclusion was that Safari does not efficiently recalculate any CSS calc() values after they have been defined. This brings us to the solution: Instead of attaching the animation directly to the CSS element, we will add a class with the animation after the variable has been calculated using jQuery.

Step-by-Step Solution

Modify the jQuery Function: Enhance the refHeight function to add a class that triggers the animation.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Update the CSS: Create an .animated class in your CSS to define the animation properties instead of placing them directly in the original class.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Define Keyframes: Maintain your existing keyframe animations but ensure they are compatible with the use of the CSS variable.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Final Resulting Code

Here’s a final look at your HTML structure along with the updated jQuery and CSS:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By restructuring how we apply CSS animations in relation to jQuery-defined variables, we can create a more reliable and consistent experience across all browsers, including Safari and mobile devices. This solution not only solves the immediate problem but enhances the overall stability of the animations on your website.

Keep experimenting with your animations and embrace the creative possibilities HTML, CSS, and jQuery provide. Happy coding!