There are times when you might want to stop videos and GIFs from playing automatically on social media. Maybe you want to save your data, reduce distractions, or simply control what you see. Here’s how to pause autoplay on popular platforms.
To turn off autoplay on Facebook, click on your profile picture at the top right if you’re on a computer, or at the bottom of the app. Scroll to “Settings & Privacy,” then go to “Preferences.” Here, find “Media” and toggle off video playback by selecting “Never.”
Quick path: Settings > Preferences > Media > Video Playback > Never.
On Instagram, tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Then, hit the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper right. Go to “Settings and activity,” choose “Your app and media,” and toggle on “Use less cellular data.”
This won’t stop all autoplay but will slow down videos when you’re not on Wi-Fi. Instagram will also mute sounds unless you click to play something.
Quick path: Profile > Settings and activity > Your app and media > Media quality > Use less cellular data.
X (Twitter)
On X, click your profile picture in the top left to access the sidebar. Choose “Settings and privacy,” then scroll to “Accessibility, display, and languages.” Tap on “Data usage” where you can turn off “Video autoplay.”
You can also select “Display and sound” from the same menu to turn off “Media previews” for a more thorough approach.
Quick paths: Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display, and languages > Data usage > Video autoplay and Settings and privacy > Display and sound > Media previews.
Bluesky
For Bluesky, tap the three-line menu in the upper left corner. Select “Settings,” then go to “Content and media.” Here, you can turn off autoplay for videos and GIFs.
Quick path: Settings > Content and media > Autoplay videos and GIFs.
Threads
Currently, Threads, Meta’s newer microblogging platform, doesn’t offer an option to stop autoplay. Many users are hoping this feature will be added soon.
Why It Matters
According to a recent survey by Pew Research, about 60% of social media users feel overwhelmed by constant video content. Studies show that autoplay can increase screen time, affecting focus and productivity. Some experts recommend being intentional about media consumption to improve mental well-being.
Taking control over your viewing experience can lead to a more enjoyable time on social media. By adjusting these settings, you can minimize distractions and focus on what really matters to you.
For more information on social media habits, check out this Pew Research report.
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