Turn off autoplay in your YouTube account settings

YouTube autoplay is on by default. When a video finishes, the next one starts playing without you clicking anything. To turn it off, sign into your YouTube account, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings. On the left menu, click Playback and performance. You'll see a toggle for Autoplay — click it to turn autoplay off.

This setting applies to every device where you're signed into that account. If you use YouTube on your phone, tablet, and computer with the same login, disabling autoplay on one device disables it everywhere. The change takes effect when ready — the next video you watch won't auto-advance when it ends.

If you're not signed in, YouTube treats each device separately. You'll need to disable autoplay on each one individually using the method below.

Key Takeaways

  • Autoplay is the YouTube feature that starts the next video automatically when your current video ends.
  • Signed-in users can disable autoplay in Settings > Playback and performance, and the change applies across all devices using that account.
  • If you're not signed in, you can turn off autoplay using the toggle button that appears on the video player itself.
  • Disabling autoplay saves data on mobile connections and prevents YouTube from playing videos you didn't choose to watch.

Disable autoplay without signing in

If you're watching YouTube without logging in, you can still turn off autoplay. Look at the bottom right of the video player while a video is playing. You'll see a toggle labeled Autoplay — it's usually on (highlighted in red). Click it once to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, and autoplay is now disabled for that session.

This method only works while you're on that device and browser. If you close YouTube and come back later, or if you use a different browser, autoplay will be back on. Signing into your account is the only way to make the setting permanent.

Why autoplay exists and what it does

YouTube uses autoplay to keep you watching. When one video ends, the algorithm picks a related video and plays it automatically. This increases watch time, which is how YouTube measures engagement. For YouTube, more watch time means more ad revenue.

Autoplay uses your internet data. On a mobile plan with limited data, autoplay can burn through your monthly allowance quickly, especially if you leave YouTube running in the background. Disabling it gives you control over which videos you actually watch and saves data on metered connections.

What happens when autoplay is off

When you disable autoplay, YouTube stops playing the next video automatically. Instead, when your current video ends, the player pauses and shows you a list of suggested videos below. You can click any of them to watch, or you can close YouTube and do something else. The choice is yours.

The suggested videos still appear — YouTube still recommends content based on what you watched. The only difference is that nothing plays unless you click it. This is useful if you're watching before bed and don't want videos playing all night, or if you're on a limited data plan.

Autoplay on YouTube TV and the YouTube app

The YouTube app on phones and tablets has its own autoplay setting, separate from the website. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, and go to Settings. Tap Autoplay and choose Autoplay off. This disables autoplay only in the app — it doesn't affect YouTube on your web browser.

YouTube TV (the paid subscription service) also has autoplay, but it works differently. It plays the next episode of a series automatically, not random recommended videos. To turn it off in YouTube TV, go to your account settings and find the autoplay option under playback preferences. The exact location varies depending on which device you're using.

Autoplay on smart TVs and streaming devices

If you watch YouTube on a smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick, the autoplay toggle is on the video player itself. While a video is playing, use your remote to bring up the player controls. Look for the Autoplay button — it's usually in the bottom right corner. Press it to toggle autoplay off. The setting stays off until you turn it back on.

Some smart TVs have a settings menu for YouTube inside the TV's system settings, separate from the YouTube app itself. If you can't find autoplay in the app, check your TV's main settings menu and look for YouTube or streaming app preferences.

Troubleshooting autoplay that won't stay off

If you disable autoplay but it keeps turning back on, you might be signed out without realizing it. YouTube resets autoplay to on for unsigned users every time you close the app or browser. Check that you're signed in by looking for your profile picture in the top right corner of YouTube.com, or in the app menu on mobile.

If you're signed in and autoplay still won't stay off, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then sign in again and disable autoplay. Sometimes old data in your browser conflicts with your account settings. If the problem persists after clearing cache, try a different browser to see if the issue is specific to one browser or a general account problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off autoplay affect recommendations I see?

No. YouTube still shows you suggested videos based on what you watched — they just don't play automatically. You'll see the same recommendations; you just have to click to watch them instead of them starting on their own.

Will autoplay turn back on if I update the YouTube app?

Usually not. App updates typically preserve your settings. However, if you uninstall and reinstall the app, your settings reset to YouTube's defaults, and autoplay turns back on. You'll need to disable it again after a fresh install.

Can I disable autoplay for only certain types of videos?

No. The autoplay setting is all or nothing — it either applies to everything you watch or nothing. You can't turn it off for music but keep it on for other content, or vice versa.

Does disabling autoplay save battery on my phone?

Yes, somewhat. Autoplay uses your screen, processor, and internet connection, all of which drain battery. Disabling it means fewer videos play, so your phone uses less power. The savings are more noticeable on older phones or if you leave YouTube running in the background.

What if I want autoplay back on?

Go back to the same setting where you turned it off and toggle it back on. For signed-in users, that's Settings > Playback and performance. For unsigned users or the app, it's the autoplay toggle on the player itself. The change takes effect when ready.