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How to disable auto-play videos on Facebook

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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How to disable auto-play videos on Facebook

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Auto-play videos on Facebook can be a nuisance for many users. They can consume data, create unnecessary noise, and can be inappropriate at times. Thankfully, Facebook provides options to disable auto-play videos. This guide will explain in detail, step by step, how to disable auto-play videos on Facebook.

Disabling auto-play videos on Facebook (desktop version)

The desktop version of Facebook allows you to disable auto-play videos through its settings. Here's how you can do it:

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Log into Facebook. Open your favorite browser and go to Facebook. Log in using your username and password.
  2. Access the settings: Click the downward arrow in the upper-right corner of the screen. This will open a dropdown menu.
  3. Go to Settings and Privacy. From the dropdown menu, select "Settings and Privacy." This will open a sub-menu.
  4. Go to Settings. In the sub-menu, click "Settings." This will take you to the main Settings page.
  5. Select Videos: On the left side of the Settings page, you'll see a list of categories. Click "Videos" at the bottom of this list.
  6. Turn off auto-play videos: In the "Video Settings" section, you'll find a setting called "Auto-play videos." Click the dropdown menu next to it and select "Off." This will disable the auto-play feature for videos on your desktop.

Once you complete these steps, videos on Facebook will no longer play automatically when scrolling your feed.

Disabling auto-play videos on Facebook (mobile version)

If you're using Facebook on a mobile device, the process is a little different. Here's how you can turn off auto-play videos on the mobile version of Facebook:

Step-by-step instructions (iOS):

  1. Open the Facebook app: Find and open the Facebook app on your iOS device.
  2. Go to the menu: Tap the three horizontal lines in the lower right corner of the screen to open the menu.
  3. Access Settings & Privacy: Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy." This will open a new list of options.
  4. Go to Settings: From the expanded options, tap "Settings."
  5. Go to Media and Contacts: Scroll down to the "Media and Contacts" section and tap it.
  6. Open Videos & Photos: Tap "Videos & Photos" in the "Media & Contacts" section.
  7. Disable auto-play: Under the "Video Settings" section, tap "Auto-play." Select "Never auto-play videos" to disable the feature.

Step-by-step instructions (Android):

  1. Open the Facebook app: Find and launch the Facebook app on your Android device.
  2. Go to the menu: Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the screen to open the menu.
  3. Access Settings & Privacy: Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy." This will reveal additional options.
  4. Go to Settings: From the expanded list, tap "Settings."
  5. Open Media and Contacts: Scroll down to the "Media and Contacts" section and tap it.
  6. Open Videos & Photos: Tap "Videos & Photos" in the "Media & Contacts" section.
  7. Disable auto-play: Under the "Video Settings" section, tap "Auto-play." Select "Never auto-play videos" to disable the feature.

These steps ensure that videos won’t play automatically in your Facebook feed, saving data and avoiding unexpected distractions.

Disabling auto-play videos on Facebook (mobile browser)

If you prefer to access Facebook through a mobile browser rather than the app, you can still turn off auto-playing videos. Here's how you can do it:

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Open the browser: Open your favorite mobile browser and go to Facebook.
  2. Log into Facebook. Log in with your username and password.
  3. Access the menu: Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the screen to open the menu.
  4. Go to Settings & Privacy: Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy."
  5. Go to Settings: Tap "Settings."
  6. Open Media and Contacts: Scroll down to the "Media and Contacts" section and tap it.
  7. Open Videos & Photos: Tap "Videos & Photos" in the "Media & Contacts" section.
  8. Disable auto-play: Tap "Auto-play" and select "Never auto-play videos."

After following these steps, you will successfully disable the auto-play feature for videos on Facebook using the mobile browser.

Disabling auto-play videos on Facebook (edge cases and FAQ)

Sometimes users may encounter specific scenarios where the general settings do not apply. Here are some cases and questions that often arise:

Scenario 1: New updates from Facebook

Facebook frequently updates its platform, which sometimes changes the location and labels of its settings. If the steps below don't exactly match the labels you see, try looking for a similar label or use the search functionality in the Settings menu.

Scenario 2: Using multiple devices

If you use Facebook on multiple devices, you may need to turn off auto-play on each device separately. The setting is often device-specific and doesn't always sync across different environments.

Common questions

Conclusion

Disabling auto-play videos on Facebook is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your experience on the platform. Whether you use the desktop site, mobile app, or mobile browser, you have the option to turn off this feature and gain control over your video content consumption. Follow the step-by-step instructions provided for your preferred device to easily disable auto-play videos.

We hope this guide has been helpful and that you now feel more empowered to manage your Facebook settings. Enjoy a calmer, more controlled Facebook experience!

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