Netflix now lets you turn off autoplay on previews – here's how you do it

Netflix
(Image credit: Netflix)

As mighty as Netflix is among streaming services, we've never been a fan of the service's autoplay feature, which activates clips or new episodes of your currently selected show or movie while you're just trying to find something to watch. It's incredibly irritating, and it was a mandatory feature – until now. 

Thankfully, Netflix now allows users to disable autoplay videos entirely, so you won't be forced to quickly jump between shows and movies on the services to avoid watching bits of programming you're not interested in.

Wondering how to turn off autoplay on Netflix? We've made a quick guide for you below. It's nice and simple. 

How to disable autoplay videos on Netflix

To give credit where credit is due, Netflix has now made it incredibly easy for its users to switch off autoplay videos on their individual profiles.

To switch off autoplay while browsing or for next episodes in a series, you must first log into Netflix via a web browser, then from the drop-down menu in the top right corner, select 'Manage profiles'. 

Once you've clicked on the profile you want to adjust, you will now be presented with a new 'Autoplay controls' section below the service's language and content settings.

Netflix settings

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Here, you can tick or untick separate boxes for 'Auto-play next episode in a series on all devices' and 'Auto-play previews while browsing on all devices.'

Once you've hit 'Save', the new settings should go into effect immediately, whether you're streaming Netflix from a smartphone or watching the service on your living room television.

Stephen Lambrechts
Senior Journalist, Phones and Entertainment

Stephen primarily covers phones and entertainment for TechRadar's Australian team, and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming in both print and online for over a decade. He's obsessed with smartphones, televisions, consoles and gaming PCs, and has a deep-seated desire to consume all forms of media at the highest quality possible. 

He's also likely to talk a person’s ear off at the mere mention of Android, cats, retro sneaker releases, travelling and physical media, such as vinyl and boutique Blu-ray releases. Right now, he's most excited about QD-OLED technology, The Batman and Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga.