YouTube's autoplay feature is designed to make it easier to discovery of new related videos with the one you just saw. When activated, At the end of the current video, another suggested video automatically starts. Initially, the idea is to avoid having to manually search for what to watch next, but many users find this annoying, especially if they only want to watch a specific video and not follow an endless stream of recommendations.
Also, keep in mind that autoplay is implemented in several places within the YouTube app, such as:
- After finishing watching a video, whether in the video section or in playlists.
- On the app's home page, where videos can be started by simply hovering over them, even without pressing 'play'.
By default, autoplay settings vary depending on the user's age or account type.:
- For users aged 13-17, autoplay is usually disabled. disabled From the first moment.
- For users over 18 years of age, the feature comes activated default.
- If you have a supervised account, you may not be able to change this setting if your parent or guardian has restricted it.
It is also important to note that you can customize autoplay by device: You can have it active on your mobile and deactivate it on your computer, for example.
Why disable autoplay on YouTube?
There are several reasons for stop autoplay on YouTube, especially if you use the app on Android:
- Avoid unnecessary mobile data usage: If you're on a limited data plan, autoplay can quickly drain your balance, especially if you leave the app open and multiple videos play without you even noticing.
- Take a break from endless video chains: Many times we want to watch just one video and prefer to manually decide whether to watch another, instead of letting YouTube choose for us.
- Save battery: Videos that play on their own, especially in the home screen, can drain your battery faster.
- Avoid distractions: If you're someone who goes to YouTube looking for something specific, autoplay can tempt you to keep watching videos.
If you want YouTube to stop automatically moving to the next video after a video ends, follow these simple steps:
- Open the YouTube app on your Android phone.
- Play any video as you normally would.
- Above or below the video player, you will see a switch next to the word 'AutoPlay'.
- Slide the switch to disable the feature. If it's off, when a video ends, YouTube will pause and wait for you to decide what to watch next.
This setting only applies to the device you set it on, so if you switch to a different device or use the web version, you'll need to disable it again on those other devices if you want.
Disable autoplay from the app settings
If you prefer to do it directly from the application settings:
- Click on the your profile icon, which is at the top right of the screen.
- Enter the menu Settings.
- Select option Automatic playback.
- Turn off the corresponding switch to prevent videos from playing automatically when the current one ends.
This method is especially useful if you want to check other related options, such as setting Wi-Fi only playback. to save mobile data.
Control autoplay on the home page
For some time now, YouTube has added the so-called autoplay on startupThis is a different feature: when you browse the app's home page or landing page, videos begin to appear without sound and with subtitles just by swiping over them. It can be helpful to get an idea of the content, but many people find it annoying.
Want to remove these automatic advances? Do the following:
- Open YouTube and go to your profile by clicking the icon in the top right corner.
- Accede to Settings.
- Click on the section Automatic playback.
- Choose the option Autoplay on main page.
- Choose Disabled so that videos don't start playing by themselves at startup.
- You also have the option Wi-Fi only if you prefer the feature to only activate when you are connected to a wireless network.
With these steps, navigating the app will be much smoother, and you won't have to worry about videos playing unintentionally.
What happens if you have a supervised account or are a minor?
In supervised accounts, many times You cannot turn autoplay on or off by yourself.If your parents or guardians have restricted it in parental controls, the option will be locked and you won't be able to change it from your device. This is to prevent minors from being exposed to continuous video recommendations without direct supervision.
Also, if you are between 13 and 17 years old and have just opened a YouTube account, autoplay is disabled by defaultIf you activate it manually, you can deactivate it at any time by following the steps above.
Other curiosities about autoplay
Did you know that YouTube autoplay stops automatically under certain circumstances? For example:
- If you use mobile data and you have not interacted for 30 minutes (without touching anything in the app), autoplay is automatically disabled to avoid excessive data usage.
- With Wi-Fi, autoplay stops automatically after 4 hours, to prevent the app from playing videos endlessly while you're away.
- It also stops if you scroll too far down the watch page, write a comment, or search, as that indicates you're performing a different action.
How does autoplay work on other devices?
If you also use YouTube on your computer, smart TV, console, or even smart displays with the Google Assistant, you can control autoplay on each of them. Let's see how to do it:
On computers
From the YouTube website, when you watch any video you will see the autoplay icon (a small switch) just below the player, usually to the left of the subtitle button. Clicking it lets you turn the feature on or off instantly.
Remember that this setting is independent of the mobile setting, so if you change devices, you may find the feature enabled even if you've already disabled it on another device.
On Smart TVs and game consoles
The YouTube app for TVs and consoles lets you control autoplay in the following ways:
- Open the YouTube app on your Smart TV or console.
- Sign in Configuration.
- Look for the option Automatic playback.
- Select between Enabled o Disabled as you prefer.
If you use your mobile for send videos to televisionYou can also control autoplay from the control bar that appears in the mobile app, right when you send the content.
On smart displays with Google Assistant
If you have a device with a screen and the Google Assistant built in (e.g., Google Nest Hub), you can change autoplay like this:
- Open the Google Home app on your phone.
- Select the smart display where you want to change the setting.
- Go to Settingsthen to Notifications and Digital Wellbeing, and then to YouTube Settings.
- Here you can turn autoplay on or off for yourself (if you have Voice Match set up) or for all users in your home.
How to prevent autoplay using mobile data only?
For many, a topic of concern is the data consumption when autoplay is active. If you want to prevent this only when using mobile data, but keep the feature on when connected to Wi-Fi, YouTube also allows this:
- Enter the menu Automatic playback from the app settings.
- Select option Wi-Fi onlyThis way, videos will only continue playing automatically when you're connected to a Wi-Fi network and will stop playing if you're connected to mobile data.
Ideal if you want to save on your bill while you're on the go, but don't mind autoplay when you're watching YouTube at home.
What if I activate it again by mistake?
Do not worry. The autoplay feature can be turned on or off at any time., and the settings are saved only on the device you change them on. If you accidentally re-enable it, repeat the steps above and adjust it to your liking.
Additional tips to customize your YouTube experience
In addition to controlling autoplay, you can use other options to improve your YouTube experience:
- Using custom playlists: This way you'll only see the content you choose, in the order you prefer.
- Set up break reminders in the app settings, to avoid endless video marathons.
- Disable unwanted notifications to receive only relevant notifications.
Adjusting how and when videos play, as well as other additional settings, will help you enjoy the platform more and avoid unpleasant surprises, such as high data usage or ending up watching videos you're not interested in.
Having control over autoplay on YouTube can significantly improve your experience. Whether you're looking to prevent the app from consuming your data or simply want to decide what and when to watch, you have multiple options to customize the platform's operation to your needs. It only takes a few minutes to explore the settings and adjust them to your liking, resulting in smoother and more personalized browsing. Share the guide so more people can learn how to activate this option..
