How to Disable Autoplay on Major Social Media Platforms
Autoplaying videos and GIFs on social media feeds can consume significant cellular data, contribute to addictive usage patterns, or expose users to unwanted viral content. For those seeking greater control over their viewing experience, major platforms provide various options to disable or limit autoplay functionality.
On Facebook, users can disable autoplay by accessing their profile icon in the desktop top-right corner or the mobile app’s bottom navigation bar. From there, navigate to Settings & Privacy > Preferences > Media. Within this menu, the Video Playback setting can be toggled to Never, preventing videos from playing automatically in both the Feed and Stories.
Quick path: Settings > Preferences > Media > Video Playback > Never.
Instagram does not provide a direct option to turn off autoplay. However, users can reduce data consumption and limit autoplay effects by enabling the Use less cellular data feature. This is found by tapping the profile picture, then selecting the menu icon, followed by Settings and activity > Your app and media > Media quality. Activating this setting slows media loading when off Wi-Fi and prevents videos from auto-playing sound unless manually engaged.
Quick path: Profile > Settings and activity > Your app and media > Media quality > Use less cellular data.
X (formerly Twitter)
To disable autoplay on X, users should open the sidebar via their profile photo (or directly on desktop), then go to Settings and privacy. Under Accessibility, display, and languages, select Data usage and turn off Video autoplay. For additional control, users can also disable Media previews under Display and sound in the settings.
Quick path: Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display, and languages > Data usage > Video autoplay; and Settings and privacy > Display and sound > Media previews.
Bluesky
Bluesky users can easily disable autoplay by accessing the menu (three-line icon on mobile or sidebar on desktop), selecting Settings, then Content and media. Here, the toggle for Autoplay videos and GIFs can be switched off to stop automatic playback.
Quick path: Settings > Content and media > Autoplay videos and GIFs.
Threads
As of now, Threads, Meta’s microblogging platform launched two years ago, does not offer a setting to disable autoplay videos or GIFs. Users hoping for this feature will need to await future updates.
FinOracleAI — Market View
The ability to control autoplay on social media platforms addresses growing user demand for data conservation and better content management. Platforms providing straightforward toggles, such as Facebook, X, and Bluesky, enhance user experience and may reduce user churn. Instagram’s partial solution and Threads’ lack of an autoplay-off feature represent potential friction points.
Impact: neutral
