Let’s be honest—YouTube’s autoplay feature is more of a nuisance than a convenience. Sure, it keeps the entertainment rolling, but do we really want to be force-fed the next video without our say? I don’t think so. Whether you’re on a desktop, mobile device, or Smart TV, knowing how to turn off auto play next video on YouTube is crucial for reclaiming control over your viewing experience.
In this discussion, I’ll not only show you how to turn off autoplay YouTube mobile, how to turn off autoplay on YouTube PC, and how to stop YouTube autoplay while scrolling but also argue why you should. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn off auto play next video on YouTube permanently, then come with me.
Why Autoplay on YouTube Needs to Go
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of disabling autoplay, let’s talk about why it’s such a problem in the first place.
- YouTube Dictates What You Watch: I like to choose my content, not have an algorithm push videos on me. Do you?
- Wastes Data: If you’re on a limited data plan, autoplay is eating up your gigabytes without permission. Want to know how to turn off auto video download? Start by shutting down autoplay.
- Encourages Mindless Watching: We’ve all been there—one video turns into hours of wasted time. If you want to regain control of your screen time, stopping autoplay is the first step.
- Interrupts Focus: Maybe I just wanted to watch one tutorial, not get bombarded with unrelated content. Turning off autoplay helps avoid unnecessary distractions.
Now that we know why autoplay is a problem, let’s discuss how to stop YouTube from playing automatically. If you’ve been searching for how to turn off auto play next video on YouTube, keep reading.
How to Turn Off Auto Play Next Video on YouTube
1. How to Turn Off Auto Play Next Video on YouTube PC
If you’re watching YouTube on a web browser, here’s how you stop autoplay:
- Open YouTube on your browser.
- Play any video.
- Locate the Autoplay toggle switch on the video player (top-right corner, next to the Up Next section).
- Click the switch to turn off autoplay (gray means it’s disabled).
Alternative Method:
- Click on your profile icon (top-right corner).
- Go to Settings > Playback and performance.
- Toggle off Autoplay next video.
If you ever feel the need to re-enable it, here’s how to turn on autoplay on YouTube PC—just reverse these steps.
2. How to Turn Off Auto Play Next Video on YouTube Mobile
Using YouTube on your phone? Here’s how to stop autoplay:
- Open the YouTube app on your Android or iPhone.
- Play any video.
- Look for the Autoplay switch at the top of the video player.
- Tap the switch to disable autoplay.
Alternative Method:
- Tap on your profile icon (top-right corner).
- Select Settings > Autoplay.
- Toggle off Autoplay next video.
If you later decide you actually miss autoplay, you can easily follow these steps on how to turn on autoplay on YouTube mobile.
3. How to Turn Off Autoplay Videos on Android
If you want to turn off autoplay YouTube Android, here’s what you do:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap on your profile icon.
- Go to Settings > Autoplay.
- Toggle off Autoplay next video.
For those wondering how to turn on autoplay on Android, just flip the switch back on.
4. Stop YouTube Autoplay While Scrolling
Ever scrolled through your feed and had videos start playing without permission? That’s autoplay at work again! Here’s how to turn off autoplay on YouTube home screen:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap on your profile icon.
- Go to Settings > General.
- Select Muted playback in feeds.
- Choose Off.
5. How to Turn Off Auto Play Video on Facebook
YouTube isn’t the only culprit. Facebook does the same thing. If you want to off auto play video on Facebook:
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap on the Menu icon (three horizontal lines).
- Select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Scroll to Media and Contacts and select Videos and Photos.
- Tap Autoplay and select Never Autoplay Videos.
Now you’ve got control over both platforms!
6. How to Turn Off Auto Play Next Video on YouTube Permanently
If autoplay keeps turning back on, try these fixes:
- Sign Out and Back In: Sometimes resetting your account session helps.
- Clear Cache and Cookies: If using a browser, clear your cache and cookies.
- Update the YouTube App: You might be dealing with a glitch from an outdated version.
- Check for Extensions: Some browser extensions override YouTube’s settings. Disable them if needed.
7. How Do I Permanently Turn Off Autoplay on YouTube?
YouTube doesn’t make it easy, but here’s what you can do:
- Regularly check your Autoplay settings in your account.
- Use browser extensions like Enhancer for YouTube to block autoplay.
- If using mobile, disable autoplay under Settings > Autoplay and ensure it stays off after updates.
If you’re still struggling with how to turn off auto play next video on YouTube despite following these steps, double-check your settings after updates since YouTube sometimes resets preferences.
Wrap-Up —Take Back Control from YouTube
I get it—YouTube wants us to keep watching. But do we really want an algorithm deciding our next move? If you value choice, focus, and responsible data usage, then turning off autoplay is the smart move.
If you ever want autoplay back, you now know how to turn on autoplay on YouTube PC and how to turn on autoplay on Android. But let’s be real—once you experience the freedom of choosing what to watch next, you might never go back.
What do you think? Is autoplay helpful or just another digital distraction? Let me know in the comments below.
This article was updated 19 hours ago