How to Turn Off Autoplay on Twitter (X)

Autoplay on Twitter (now X) can eat up your data and battery, and it can be distracting when videos start playing as you scroll. This guide shows you how to disable autoplay in the mobile app and on the web, so you only watch videos when you choose to. You’ll need your phone or computer and a Twitter/X account (though you can change settings without being logged in on the web).

What You’ll Need

Access to your Twitter/X account (on the app or website).
For mobile: the Twitter/X app installed on your iOS or Android device.
For web: a modern web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge).

Step-by-Step

On the Mobile App (iOS & Android)

Open the Twitter/X app on your phone.
Tap your profile picture (or the hamburger menu icon) in the top-left corner to open the side menu.
Tap Settings and privacy (on iOS) or Settings & Support then Settings and privacy (on Android).
In the Settings menu, tap Accessibility, display, and languages.
Under the Display section, tap Data usage.
You’ll see three options under Autoplay:
- On cellular and Wi-Fi – videos autoplay always.
- On Wi-Fi only – videos autoplay only when connected to Wi-Fi.
- Never – videos will not autoplay at all.
Tap Never to completely disable autoplay.
Your change is saved automatically. You can exit the settings.

On the Web (Desktop & Mobile Browser)

Go to twitter.com or x.com in your browser and log in if needed.
Click More in the left sidebar (on desktop) or tap your profile icon (on mobile web).
Select Settings and privacy from the menu.
In the left menu (or top menu on mobile), click Accessibility, display, and languages.
Click Data usage under the Display section.
Under Autoplay, select Never.
The setting saves automatically. Refresh your feed to see the change.

Common Mistakes

Choosing “On Wi-Fi only” when you want no autoplay at all – this still plays videos when you’re on Wi-Fi, which may not be what you want.
Looking for a toggle switch – the autoplay setting is a set of radio buttons, not a simple on/off switch.
Changing the wrong setting – some users go to “Notifications” or “Privacy and safety” instead of “Data usage.” The autoplay control is always under Accessibility, display, and languages > Data usage.
Not updating the app – if you don’t see the Data usage option, your app may be outdated. Update it from your app store.

Tips

If you only want to save data, choose On Wi-Fi only instead of Never – you still get autoplay at home but not on cellular.
On the web, you can also use browser extensions that block autoplay, but the built-in setting is more reliable and doesn’t require extra software.
Disabling autoplay also reduces distractions and can help you focus on reading tweets instead of being pulled into videos.
Remember that this setting applies to your account, so it will sync across all your devices (app and web) once you log in.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve followed the steps but videos still autoplay, try these fixes:

Refresh the app or browser – sometimes the setting doesn’t apply until you reload the feed.
Log out and log back in – this forces the app to re-sync your settings.
Clear the app cache (on mobile) – go to your phone’s settings, find the Twitter/X app, and clear its cache. This can resolve stuck settings.
Check for app updates – an outdated app may not apply the setting correctly. Update to the latest version.
Try the web version – if the app is glitchy, change the setting on the web and see if it sticks.
Check if it’s a specific video – some promoted or live videos may still autoplay due to ad settings. If that’s the case, you can’t fully disable those without third-party tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling autoplay stop all videos from playing?

Yes, when set to Never, videos will not play until you tap the play button. However, some ads or live videos might still autoplay due to platform policies.

Does this setting affect GIFs?

No, GIFs are not considered videos and will still animate. There’s no setting to disable GIF animation on Twitter/X.

Can I turn off autoplay for a specific video?

No, the autoplay setting is global. You can’t set it per video, but you can pause a video immediately after it starts.

Why do videos still autoplay in the web browser even after I set it to Never?

Make sure you’re logged in and the setting saved. Try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. Also, check if you have any browser extensions that override settings.

Does this setting apply to the X app on my TV or other devices?

The setting applies to your account, so it should carry over to any device where you’re logged in, but some smart TV apps may not honor it. Check the app’s own settings if available.

Will disabling autoplay save battery life?

Yes, since videos won’t play automatically, your device’s processor and network radio won’t be used as much, which can extend battery life.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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