Turn Off Video Autoplay in App Store on iPhone

This guide shows you how to stop videos from automatically playing in the App Store on your iPhone. This is useful if you find the autoplaying previews distracting, want to save data, or prefer a quieter browsing experience. You’ll need your iPhone with the App Store app installed (it’s built-in).

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 13 or later (the setting is available in these versions).
• Access to the Settings app (the gear icon on your home screen).

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. It’s the gray gear icon.
2. Scroll down the list of settings and tap App Store. It’s usually near the middle of the list, between “Safari” and “Wallet & Apple Pay.”
3. In the App Store settings, look for the section labeled Video Autoplay. It’s directly under the “Automatic Downloads” section.
4. Tap Video Autoplay.
5. You’ll see three options: Always, On Wi-Fi, and Off. Select Off to completely disable video autoplay in the App Store.
6. After selecting “Off,” exit Settings. The change takes effect immediately. Now when you browse the App Store, app previews will only play when you tap on them.

Common Mistakes

• Tapping the wrong setting: Some users accidentally change the “Automatic Downloads” settings instead of “Video Autoplay.” Make sure you’re in the correct section.
• Confusing with other apps: This setting only affects the App Store. It does not stop autoplay in Safari, YouTube, or other apps. You’ll need to adjust those separately in their own settings.
• Not scrolling down: The Video Autoplay option is a bit down the list. If you don’t see it immediately, keep scrolling.

Tips

• Use “On Wi-Fi” as a compromise: If you want to save cellular data but still see previews on Wi-Fi, choose “On Wi-Fi” instead of “Off.”
• Tap to play: Even with autoplay off, you can still watch app previews by tapping on the video thumbnail in the App Store. This gives you control over what plays.
• Check other media settings: While you’re in Settings, consider disabling autoplay in other apps like the App Store’s sibling, the Apple TV app, or in Safari’s settings if you find autoplay annoying across your device.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve turned off autoplay but videos still play automatically, try these steps:

1. Force-quit the App Store: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the home button on older models) to open the app switcher. Swipe up on the App Store to close it. Then reopen the App Store. This refreshes the app’s settings.
2. Restart your iPhone: A simple restart can fix many glitches. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears. Slide to turn off, then turn it back on.
3. Check for iOS updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, install it. Sometimes bugs in older iOS versions cause settings to not apply correctly.
4. Reset all settings: As a last resort, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This won’t delete your data, but it will reset all system settings (including Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, etc.) to defaults. After doing this, you’ll need to re-disable autoplay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there no “Video Autoplay” option in my Settings?

This option is available on iOS 13 and later. If you don’t see it, your iPhone is likely running an older version of iOS. Update your iPhone via Settings > General > Software Update to get the option.

Does turning off autoplay save battery life?

Yes, it can help. Autoplaying videos consume data and battery power. Disabling them reduces both, especially when browsing the App Store for extended periods.

Will this stop videos from playing in other apps like YouTube?

No. This setting is specific to the App Store. Each app has its own autoplay settings. For YouTube, you’ll need to change the “Autoplay” toggle within the YouTube app’s settings.

Can I still watch app previews if autoplay is off?

Absolutely. You just tap on the video preview thumbnail in an app’s page to play it. Off simply means they won’t start playing on their own.

Does this setting affect the “Today” tab or search results?

Yes, it applies to all areas of the App Store, including the Today tab, app pages, and search results. Videos will not autoplay anywhere in the App Store.

What if I want to re-enable autoplay later?

Simply follow the same steps and choose either “Always” or “On Wi-Fi” instead of “Off.” The change is instant.

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