For the most part, YouTube doesn’t have any annoying features by default, except for auto-playing thumbnails. It can be quite annoying when you scroll through YouTube to find something to watch and each video plays automatically as you scroll. It can also be very distracting. Fortunately, you can disable this with YouTube, although the setting is a bit buried.
That’s why we’re here today to help you discover how to disable this setting on YouTube. This guide works for both iOS and Android.
What are ‘autoplaying thumbnails’ on YouTube?
A while ago, YouTube started playing videos automatically when they’re on your screen, even before you click on them. This is similar to what Netflix and some other streaming services do. It’s a great way to preview the video you’re about to watch before watching it.
This feature is available on all platforms, including TV platforms. Although arguably it’s more annoying on TVs as it plays the audio too. It can make it a bit more difficult to find something to look at.
How to Disable YouTube Auto Playing Thumbnails on Android
First, open the YouTube app. Then tap your profile icon in the corner.
Then tap Settings.
From there, find “General” and tap on that.
Now find “Play in feeds” and tap on that.
Here are a few options for playing in feeds:
Select the option you want to use and you’re all set. If you don’t want to see them play automatically at all, then you should select “off”. But if you’re okay with it happening on Wi-Fi (rather than using your data when you’re away from home), select the “Wi-Fi only” option.
And that’s it. It’s that easy to disable the autoplay thumbnails on Android for YouTube.
For those of you with an iOS device (whether that be an iPad or an iPhone), the method is still the same. On iOS, the “Play in Feeds” option is at the very bottom. Other than that, the steps are all the same.
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