Auto play video is a great way to boost engagement (and views!) but it can force disturbing and even offensive content on unsuspecting users and that's not okay. While auto-play should be opt-in you can opt out, and Twitter makes it possible to turn it off on both the website and the iPhone and iPad app.
How to turn off auto-play video on Twitter for iPhone or iPad
Twitter on your iPhone or iPad is all social until a graphic video starts to play without any warning. Then it's the opposite. Though buried deep, you can turn it off and prevent anything from playing without your active permission.
- Launch Twitter from your Home screen.
- Tap on the Me tab, bottom right.
- Tap on the Settings button beneath your cover image (looks like a gear).
- Tap on Settings.
- Tap on Video autoplay.
- Tap on Never play videos automatically.
- Tap the back arrow to exit.
If you use a different Twitter client, videos might not auto-play by default, but if they do, check the settings.
How to turn off auto-play video on Twitter.com
On the Mac or Windows PC the fastest way to disable auto-play is right on Twitter.com in the browser.
- Launch Safari or your browser of choice.
- Go to twitter.com
- Log in (if you aren't already).
- Clock on your Profile picture.
- Click on Settings in the dropdown menu.
- Uncheck video autoplay under Video Tweets in the Content section.
- Click Save changes at the bottom.
- Enter your Twitter password to confirm
Likewise, if you use a Twitter app, auto-play may be off by default but otherwise check the settings.
Why isn't auto-play off by default?
Great question! Fire off a tweet to @support and ask them to make it just so.
