Facebook autoplay is on by default, but you can disable it in your account settings
Facebook automatically plays videos as you scroll through your feed, which uses data, drains your battery, and can be distracting. You can turn this off separately for mobile data, WiFi, and when you're not actively watching — each setting controls a different situation. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on iPhone, Android, and desktop.
Autoplay is not a privacy setting, but it does affect what Facebook records about your viewing habits. When autoplay is on, Facebook logs which videos played on your screen, how long they stayed visible, and whether you paused or scrolled past them. Turning autoplay off means fewer of these signals reach Facebook's tracking systems.
Key Takeaways
- You can disable autoplay separately for mobile data, WiFi, and when your phone is locked, giving you control over each situation.
- On mobile, go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Videos and choose "Off" for each autoplay option you want to disable.
- On desktop, the same settings live under Settings > Videos in the left sidebar menu.
- Disabling autoplay reduces the data Facebook collects about which videos hold your attention and for how long.
- Videos will still load when you tap or click them — disabling autoplay only stops them from playing without your action.
How to disable autoplay on iPhone and Android
Open Facebook and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right. Go to Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Videos. You will see three autoplay options: Autoplay on Mobile Data, Autoplay on WiFi, and Autoplay in Feeds When Device is Locked.
For each one, tap it and select Off. You do not have to disable all three — many people turn off mobile data autoplay to save data while keeping WiFi autoplay on at home. Once you change a setting, it saves when ready and applies the next time you open Facebook.
How to disable autoplay on desktop
Log into Facebook in your web browser. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. In the left sidebar, click Videos. You will see the same three autoplay options as mobile.
Click each dropdown menu and select Off for the ones you want to disable. Desktop does not have a separate "locked device" setting because your computer is not locked the same way a phone is. The changes take effect when ready.
What happens when you disable autoplay
Videos will no longer play automatically as you scroll. Instead, you will see a still image from the video with a play button overlay. Tap or click the play button to watch. This also means Facebook stops sending autoplay signals to its servers — it no longer records that a video appeared on your screen or how long you looked at it before scrolling.
You will still see videos in your feed, and Facebook will still track that you viewed the post itself. The difference is that autoplay data — which videos caught your eye without you choosing to watch them — no longer flows to Facebook's systems. This is one of the few settings where your choice directly reduces the tracking that happens.
Why autoplay uses data and battery
Each video that plays automatically downloads and streams video data, even if you only see it for a second while scrolling. On mobile data, this can add up quickly if you scroll through a long feed. WiFi does not count against a data cap, but the video still uses power to read and display, which drains your battery faster.
Disabling autoplay on mobile data is the most effective way to reduce data use. If you have unlimited data or use WiFi most of the time, the battery savings may matter more to you than the data savings. You can choose different settings for different situations.
Autoplay settings do not affect Messenger or Instagram
These settings only control Facebook's main app and website. If you use Instagram or Facebook Messenger, they have their own autoplay settings that work separately. To disable autoplay on Instagram, go to Settings > Account > Autoplay and choose Minimize Data Usage or Off. Messenger autoplay settings are in Settings > Media and Contacts.
Facebook owns all three apps, but they do not share autoplay preferences. You have to change each one individually if you want the same behavior across all three.
Autoplay returns to default if you clear your app cache
If you clear the Facebook app's cache or storage on your phone, your autoplay settings will reset to the default (on). This is because the settings are stored locally on your device, not on Facebook's servers. After clearing cache, go back to Settings > Videos and turn autoplay off again.
Clearing cache does not delete your Facebook account or posts — it only removes temporary files the app stores locally. If you do this regularly for privacy reasons, you may need to re-disable autoplay afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling autoplay stop Facebook from tracking me?
No — it only stops Facebook from collecting data about which videos automatically played on your screen. Facebook still tracks your posts, likes, comments, clicks, and the pages you visit. Disabling autoplay is one small reduction in tracking, not a privacy solution by itself.
Will videos load faster if I turn off autoplay?
Slightly, because Facebook does not have to read videos in the background as you scroll. The difference is usually small on fast connections. The main benefit is saving data on mobile and extending battery life, not speed.
Can I disable autoplay for specific people or pages?
No — the autoplay setting applies to your entire feed. You cannot turn autoplay off for one person and on for another. Your only options are to disable it completely or leave it on for everyone.
What if autoplay turns back on after an update?
Facebook occasionally resets settings during app updates. If you notice autoplay is on again after updating the app, go back to Settings > Videos and disable it again. This is not common, but it can happen.
Does disabling autoplay affect video recommendations?
No — Facebook still recommends videos based on your watch history, likes, and other activity. Disabling autoplay only stops videos from playing without your action. It does not change which videos appear in your feed or how they are ranked.