Engadget Guide Shows How to Turn YouTube Autoplay On or Off Across Devices

Users who want to stop autoplay can do so in a few steps, and the setting can be different on each device. On the YouTube mobile and tablet app, the simplest method is to tap the toggle at the top of the video player while watching a video. A pause icon means autoplay is disabled, while a play icon means it is enabled. Users can also open the app's settings by tapping their profile picture, then the Settings or gear icon, then Playback, where an 'Autoplay next video' toggle is available.

On a PC or laptop, Engadget said autoplay can be switched on or off using the toggle at the bottom of the video player. On the YouTube app for televisions and game consoles, users can go to their profile, access Settings and select 'Autoplay next video.' Changing the setting there applies to TVs and similar connected devices where the user has signed in with the same account. If a user is casting YouTube from a phone or tablet, autoplay can also be toggled from the video queue.

The guide noted that even when autoplay is enabled, the next video YouTube has lined up will not automatically play if the user types something, such as a comment or a search, or scrolls past the video player. The same is true on a computer. Users can also tap a 'cancel' prompt before the next video begins.

Autoplay defaults differ by age. Engadget reported that autoplay is disabled by default for users aged 13 to 17. If a teenager has turned it on, parents and guardians can disable autoplay entirely on supervised accounts. The guide also said autoplay stops after 30 minutes when YouTube is watched on a mobile network and after four hours on Wi-Fi.

The guide's author said they turned off autoplay years ago and have never regretted the decision, while acknowledging that some users may prefer autoplay, including those who use YouTube videos as background noise. Engadget said users who want to keep autoplay on can follow the same steps to confirm or enable the setting.