Practical guides
How to Stop Autoplay on YouTube on Phone, Desktop & TV
Learn how to stop autoplay on YouTube on iPhone, Android, desktop and TV. Disable feed previews and troubleshoot videos that keep playing after autoplay is off.
To stop autoplay on YouTube, open a regular video and turn the player’s Autoplay switch Off. Look near the top of the player on a phone or tablet, and at the bottom on a computer. On a TV, open Settings → Autoplay. YouTube lists the controls for each device here.
If videos start moving while you scroll through Home or search results, use the separate preview setting described below. First identify when playback starts: after a video finishes, while you browse, or when the same video repeats. That tells you which control to check.
Choose the setting for the playback you want to stop
Use this table before changing several settings at once:
| What you see | What to check |
|---|---|
| A related video starts after the current video ends | Autoplay |
| Videos play inside the Home or search feed on mobile | Playback in feeds |
| Hovering over a video starts playback on a computer | Inline playback |
| The same video starts again | Loop or repeat |
| Videos continue inside a selected playlist | Playlist controls and the current viewing context |
| You want playback to pause after a set duration | Sleep timer |
For a clear test, choose one regular video outside a playlist and note its title. Change one control, then watch what happens at the end. If the behavior changes only inside a playlist or feed, investigate that context separately.
How to stop autoplay on YouTube on iPhone and Android
In the YouTube app:
- Open a regular video.
- Tap the player to show its controls.
- Set Autoplay to Off.
YouTube also documents profile picture → Settings → Autoplay for both iOS and Android. Use that route if you prefer the settings menu. If a countdown is already running, choose Cancel to stop that next video. Source: YouTube Autoplay help.
Afterward, let your test video reach the end. Look for whether another related video actually starts, rather than judging the setting from the presence of recommendations alone. A list of suggested videos is different from a new video playing.
If the menu labels or layout differ in your app version, use the player switch as your first check. Avoid changing unrelated account, notification or privacy settings while looking for a playback control.
Turn off autoplay on desktop and TV
On a computer
Open a video on youtube.com, reveal the player controls, and switch Autoplay off at the bottom of the player.
Keep the test simple: use one tab and one video first. If audio continues, inspect other open video tabs before assuming the switch failed. Record which page is producing the sound so you can repeat the same test after adjusting it.
On a smart TV or game console
In the YouTube TV app, open Settings → Autoplay and select Off. For a cast session, expand the queue from the phone’s bottom control bar and turn its Autoplay switch off. See YouTube’s TV and casting instructions.
Test directly on the screen you intend to use. If you normally start videos from your phone, repeat the check in that casting setup as well. This gives you a useful comparison between watching on the TV itself and controlling a session from another device.
Use Tube Pro PiP’s Sleep Timer for a timed stop
If your goal is to stop listening after a chosen duration, Tube Pro PiP includes a Sleep Timer. It is a YouTube player for iPhone and iPad with ad blocking, background playback and Picture in Picture for supported content. It is free to use forever.
Open a supported video in the app, choose Sleep Timer, and select a preset or custom duration. Start with a short test to confirm that playback pauses as expected. Our YouTube sleep timer guide for iPhone covers the app’s timer and other iPhone options.
Choose the control that matches your stopping point: YouTube’s Autoplay switch is for the related video that follows; a sleep timer sets a duration for playback. Use YouTube’s settings when you are watching in the official app, and the timer in Tube Pro PiP when you are watching there.
Stop YouTube feed previews from playing automatically
On iPhone, iPad and Android
In YouTube, open profile picture → Settings → General → Playback in feeds → Off. YouTube’s iPhone and iPad guide and Android guide describe this separate control. Wi-Fi only still permits feed playback on Wi-Fi; choose Off to disable it.
Return to the Home feed and scroll through several cards without opening them. Then test search results in the same way. This checks the browsing behavior you were trying to change, rather than the end of a video on its watch page.
On a computer
Open profile picture → Settings → Playback and performance, then disable Inline playback. YouTube notes that short three-second previews can still appear with inline playback off. The setting does not promise completely static thumbnails. Source: YouTube’s desktop inline-player guide.
Keep that distinction in mind when testing. A brief preview on a video card does not, by itself, mean the next-video Autoplay switch has turned back on.
If YouTube keeps playing after autoplay is off
Check the device you are watching on
YouTube allows different Autoplay settings on different devices. Recheck the switch on the phone, computer or TV where the problem occurs. Turning it off on your phone does not establish what is selected on your computer. YouTube explains device-specific settings here.
Check for looping or a playlist
If the same video repeats, inspect Loop. YouTube documents looping as a separate feature for videos and playlists. On mobile, look in the player’s Settings → Additional settings → Loop video and disable it if active.
If the next item belongs to a playlist, open the video on its own and repeat your test outside the list. Treat playlist progression separately from the related-video recommendation that Autoplay controls. Pause playback directly if you need an immediate stop.
Record exactly what still happens
Before trying more fixes, write down the device, app or browser version, whether you were casting, and the moment playback restarted. Update the app if an update is available, then repeat the same single-video test. If you contact support, include those details and the setting you already checked.
Frequently asked questions
Why do videos still play while I scroll after turning autoplay off?
Check Playback in feeds on mobile or Inline playback on desktop. Those controls affect browsing previews. Test the Home or search feed after changing them; use a video’s watch page to test the next-video switch.
Does turning off autoplay stop the video I am watching?
Use Pause for an immediate stop. The Autoplay control addresses what happens after the current video ends. If you want a timed pause during a longer video, use a sleep timer instead.
How do I stop YouTube autoplay on every device?
Check each device you use and confirm its setting with a regular video. Make a quick checklist for your phone, browser and TV so you can verify them individually. Include a separate casting test if you regularly watch that way.
Is autoplay the same as background playback?
They control different parts of watching. Autoplay concerns the related video that follows; background playback lets supported content continue when you leave the player or lock the screen. See our background playback guide if screen-off listening is the behavior you want to adjust.