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WITH OUR FACEBOOK feeds filled to the brim with videos of friends (and friends of friends) doing the ice-bucket challenge, you may have noticed something a little different with them.
For most videos, they play automatically when you view them in the feed. That’s because Facebook auto-plays videos that are uploaded onto the site instead of elsewhere like YouTube.
While the reason for so many of these videos appearing is down to a very worthy cause, viewing numerous auto-play videos will mean you’re using more data on your phone and in the worst case scenario, this could lead to a significant bill.
To prevent that from happening, here’s how you can switch them off entirely, or only allow them to play when you have a WiFi connection.
(Note: you have to switch off videos in desktop and the iOS/Android app separately)
Android
You will have to go into the Facebook app itself to switch it off. Go into the menu and look for ‘App settings.’ When you select it, you will see an option for auto-play where you can select an option.
iPhone
Instead of going into the Facebook app, you will need to go into settings instead. Scroll down to find Facebook and tap on settings. There you will see Auto-Play where you can choose an option.
Windows Phone
Since the Facebook app is made by Microsoft and not Facebook, auto-play videos aren’t supported on it. Therefore, there’s no option to change them on Windows Phone.
Desktop
The easiest one to switch off. Either click on this link, or go into settings and select the video tab on the left.
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So annoying when these videos start playing if you have the volume on. Thanks for that, Quinton! Sorted!
Anyway of switching facebook off altogether…. It depresses me everytime I go on it yet I still go on it.
block everything you cant be arsed with and join a lot of pages that interest you. mine is all science, games and jokes.
I have the newest android update and don’t see that auto play option in the app settings?
Is there an ‘auto-play on WiFi only’ option available? Ticking that is the next best thing if you can’t turn it off fully.
thank you
It’s directly under the Sync Photos option in my version (for Galaxy S5), Darren.
Any way of switching off the journals annoying ads?
Alan if you’re willing to fund the journal or pay a weekly subscription the ads will disappear.the journalists don’t work for free ya know
No probs where do I pay to get rid of them?
Excellent and thanks
I’d also recommend, from a more general angle, activating “click-to-play” in your desktop browsers. There has been some pretty malicious flash exploits found (in the wider internet), and one method of delivery is the dreaded auto-play.
also, they’re annoying.
http://www.howtogeek.com/188059/how-to-enable-click-to-play-plugins-in-every-web-browser/
Tis time we all turned fb off altogether. Its had its moment in the sun and is getting way above itself with its flagrant abuse of people’s privacy
What’s up with this article? it disappears then reappears any time I refresh the app
Cheers
Fair play to ya! So annoying!
Anyone know what the craic is with”session expired, please log in again” coming up on iphone messenger app? Won’t let me log into the new messenger App.
Thanks for that Quinton
Thank you
Thank you!
Thank you!!
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