Stop Facebook Videos From Autoplaying
To stop Facebook videos from autoplaying, open Facebook’s media settings and set Autoplay to Never. The setting is usually available in the app and on the website, though menu names and locations can vary with the device and Facebook’s interface.
Change autoplay in the Facebook app
On the Facebook app for iPhone or Android, look in Settings for the media or video controls. A common route is:
- Open Facebook and tap the menu button (your profile picture or the three-line menu, depending on the app layout).
- Open Settings & privacy, then tap Settings.
- Look for Media, Videos and photos, or a similarly named option. You can also use the search field in Settings and search for “autoplay.”
- Under Autoplay, choose Never autoplay videos.
The exact labels can change as Facebook updates its app, and settings may be grouped differently across accounts or regions. If you do not see the option where expected, search Settings or check the app’s media section rather than assuming autoplay cannot be changed.
Turn off autoplay on a computer
On facebook.com, open your profile menu, choose Settings & privacy, then Settings. Search the settings page for “Video” or “Autoplay,” or look for a video-related section. If Facebook offers an autoplay control for your account and browser, set it to Off or Never.
Facebook’s desktop layout changes periodically, so a specific menu path may not match every screen. The settings search is often the fastest way to locate the control. If the option is absent, try the Facebook app or another browser to check whether the setting is available in that version of the interface.
What the autoplay setting changes
Autoplay controls whether a video begins playing automatically as you encounter it while scrolling. Choosing Never generally means you must tap or click a video to start it. It does not remove videos from the feed, prevent a video from playing after you select it, or necessarily mute every video that you choose to play.
Facebook may also offer choices such as autoplay on Wi-Fi and mobile data, or autoplay only on Wi-Fi. These options are useful if you want videos to start automatically at home but not while using cellular data. Choose Never if your goal is to stop automatic playback in all situations covered by that control.
Autoplay is different from sound. Videos may start silently and play audio only after you interact with them, depending on the app, device, and video. If a video starts without sound, that does not mean autoplay is off; it means playback began automatically but audio did not.
Reduce mobile data and distractions
Turning off autoplay can make scrolling less distracting and reduce video data use, particularly when you browse over a mobile connection. The amount saved depends on how many videos you encounter, their length and quality, and whether you would otherwise watch them. It does not stop Facebook from loading every image or other feed content.
If you prefer not to disable autoplay entirely, select a Wi-Fi-only option when Facebook provides one. You can also use your phone’s own data controls to restrict background or cellular data, but those controls affect more than Facebook videos and differ between iOS and Android. Avoid treating a data-saver setting as a substitute for the Facebook autoplay preference: they address related but distinct behavior.
When autoplay still happens
If videos keep starting after you changed the setting, first confirm that you changed the setting in the same Facebook app or browser where the issue occurs. Preferences may not appear identically across the mobile app and website, and a change in one place may not immediately affect another.
- Recheck the selection: Return to the autoplay control and make sure Never or Off is selected, rather than a Wi-Fi or cellular-data option.
- Refresh Facebook: Close and reopen the app, or reload the website, then check the feed again.
- Update the app: If the setting is missing or behaves unexpectedly, install an available update through your device’s normal app store.
- Check other playback controls: A phone’s accessibility, data, or browser settings may affect sound or loading, but they are not always the cause of automatic playback.
- Test another surface: Compare the app with facebook.com in a browser. This helps establish whether the issue is limited to one version of Facebook.
Some videos or previews may behave differently from ordinary feed videos, and Facebook can revise how its controls work. A browser extension that blocks media may also interfere, but extensions are optional and can affect other sites. If you use one, temporarily disabling it is a reasonable troubleshooting test; restore it afterward if it was not the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off Facebook video autoplay completely?
Usually, yes. Set Autoplay to Never in Facebook’s media or video settings. The available control and its effect can vary by app, browser, and current interface.
How do I stop Facebook videos from autoplaying on my iPhone?
In the Facebook app, open the menu, go to Settings & privacy and Settings, then find Media or search Settings for autoplay. Select Never autoplay videos.
How do I stop Facebook videos from autoplaying on Android?
Use the Facebook app’s menu and open Settings & privacy, then Settings. Find the media or video settings, search for autoplay if needed, and select Never.
Will turning off autoplay stop videos from using data?
It prevents automatic playback under the setting’s coverage, which can reduce video data use. Videos can still use data when you choose to play them, and Facebook will continue loading other feed content.
Why do videos autoplay even when sound is off?
Muted playback is still autoplay. The sound setting controls audio, while the autoplay setting controls whether playback starts without you selecting the video.
Does the autoplay setting apply to every device?
Do not assume it will. Check the app and website separately if videos continue playing on another device or in another browser.
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