Disable autoplay on YouTube in three steps

YouTube plays the next video automatically by default, whether you want it to or not. You can turn this off in your account settings so that when one video ends, nothing plays next unless you choose it.

On any device, sign into your YouTube account, go to Settings, find Autoplay, and toggle it off. The exact steps differ slightly between desktop, phone, and the YouTube app, but the setting lives in the same place across all of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Autoplay is on by default for all YouTube accounts, and the setting applies to every device you use once you change it in your account settings.
  • On desktop, click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings, then find Autoplay under Playback and Performance and turn it off.
  • On the YouTube app for phone or tablet, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, select Autoplay, and choose "Off".
  • If you only want to disable autoplay on one device or in one browser, you can also pause autoplay temporarily without changing your account settings.

How to turn off autoplay on desktop

Open YouTube in your web browser and sign into your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner — it appears as a small circle with your initial or photo inside it.

From the dropdown menu, click Settings. You will land on a page that shows your account options. On the left side, you will see a menu with several choices. Click Playback and Performance.

Look for the Autoplay option. You will see a toggle switch next to it. Click the toggle to turn autoplay off. The switch will change color or position to show it is now disabled. YouTube will no longer play the next video when the current one ends.

How to turn off autoplay on the YouTube app

Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet and sign into your account. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.

Tap Settings from the menu that appears. Scroll down until you see Autoplay. Tap it to open the autoplay options.

You will see two choices: "On" and "Off". Tap Off. The app will stop playing videos automatically after one ends. This setting applies to the YouTube app on that device, and it also syncs with your account settings if you have signed in.

Pause autoplay temporarily without changing your settings

If you want to stop autoplay just for this session — without changing your account settings — you can pause it directly from the video player. When a video is playing, look at the bottom right of the player window.

You will see a small icon that looks like two connected arrows or a loop. This is the autoplay button. Click or tap it to pause autoplay for now. The next video will not play when this one ends, but autoplay will turn back on the next time you visit YouTube or restart the app.

This method is useful if you are borrowing someone else's device or using a public computer and do not want to change their settings.

Why YouTube has autoplay on by default

YouTube turns autoplay on for every account because it keeps people watching longer. When a video ends and the next one starts automatically, most viewers keep watching instead of closing the tab or app. This increases watch time, which helps YouTube show you more ads and collect more data about what you watch.

Turning autoplay off gives you control over your own viewing. You decide when to watch the next video instead of letting YouTube decide for you. This also reduces the amount of time you spend on the platform if that is a goal for you.

What happens when you disable autoplay

When autoplay is off, YouTube will show you a list of recommended videos when one finishes playing, but nothing will play on its own. You will see thumbnails, titles, and channel names for videos YouTube thinks you might like. You can click any of them to watch, or you can close YouTube entirely.

The recommended videos list still uses the same algorithm that powers autoplay — YouTube is still suggesting content based on your watch history and what similar viewers watch. The difference is that you have to actively choose to click, rather than having a video start without your action.

Autoplay settings on different browsers and devices

If you sign into the same YouTube account on multiple devices — a laptop, a phone, a tablet, a work computer — the autoplay setting you choose will apply to all of them. You only need to change it once in your account settings, and it takes effect everywhere.

If you use multiple browsers on the same computer (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), the setting still applies across all of them as long as you are signed into the same account. If you use YouTube without signing in, or in an incognito or private browsing window, autoplay will be on by default for that session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off autoplay affect recommendations I see on the home page?

No. Disabling autoplay only stops videos from playing automatically when one finishes. Your YouTube home page, search results, and recommended videos sidebar will look the same. YouTube still suggests content based on your watch history — autoplay just means you have to click to watch it.

Can I turn autoplay off for only certain types of videos?

YouTube does not offer a way to disable autoplay for some videos but keep it on for others. The setting is all or nothing — either autoplay is on for everything, or it is off for everything. You can pause it temporarily from the player, but the account setting applies to all videos.

If I turn off autoplay, will YouTube still track what I watch?

Yes. Turning off autoplay does not change what YouTube records about your viewing. YouTube still logs every video you click on and watch, and uses that data for recommendations and ads. Disabling autoplay only stops automatic playback — it does not affect tracking or data collection.

What if I change my mind and want autoplay back on?

Go back to Settings and Playback and Performance on desktop, or Settings and Autoplay on the app, and toggle it back on. You can change this setting as many times as you want. There is no penalty or waiting period.

Does autoplay work differently on YouTube TV or YouTube Music?

YouTube TV and YouTube Music have their own autoplay settings, separate from the main YouTube app. If you use those services, you will need to disable autoplay in each one individually. The setting in your main YouTube account does not control autoplay in those apps.