As Ive written before, autoplaying video is one of the most obnoxious things about the modern web. Its insensitive to users needs [they might be somewhere quiet, or listening to their own audio/video], for one. For another, data caps on mobile plans make this practice particularly bad, especially with limited ways to block such on mobile devices. Fortunately, blocking autoplay videos has become a common feature built into browsers, though to varying degrees of effectiveness. It also tends to be more of a feature of desktop browsers versus their mobile counterparts, despite the aforementioned data cap problem.
Below are some ways of blocking autoplay videos. In addition, the use of ad blocker extensions like uBlock Origin and privacy extensions like Privacy Badger might also help.
Blocking autoplay videos in desktop browsers
Autoplay video settings on CNNs website in Firefox. [CNN / screenshot by author]
Chrome
The extension AutoplayStopper seems the best means on Googles browser, as Chrome doesnt include autoplay blocking by default. Considering Google relies on advertising revenue for most of its income, as well as owning the most popular video site online [YouTube], its not surprising.
Firefox
Firefox has autoplay blocking built into the browser by default. For a specific site youre visiting, go to the URL bar at the top of the browser and click on the icons at the left; youll be able to choose settings for that site.
Default browser autoplay settings can also be accessed under Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions, under Autoplay.
Safari
Like Firefox, Safari also has autoplay block settings built in. For individual sites, go to Safari > Settings for This Website; under Auto-Play, youll have the choice between allow, never, and stop media with sound.
As a default browser-wide setting for all sites, go to Safari > Preferences > Websites > Auto-Play; at the bottom right, When visiting other websites allows you to choose from the same settings as above [never, always, and only media with sound].
Microsoft Edge
Edge is now based on Chromium, the open source basis for Google Chrome and most non-Firefox browsers by this point. Thus, it can also use the same AutoplayStopper plugin mentioned above for Chrome.
Alternatively, Edge also can block videos natively, but for some reason its buried under the flags settings rather than a user-friendly feature. [Otherwise the default settings only offer allow and limit.]
To activate Edges native block feature, enter in the URL bar the following:
edge://flags/#edge-autoplay-user-setting-block-optionUnder Show block option in autoplay settings, select enabled. Then restart Edge.
Under Settings > Cookies and Site Permissions > Media Autoplay > Control if audio and video automatically play on sites, the dropdown menu offers block along with allow and limit.
Unfortunately, this setting is an all or nothing one as far as I can find. Theres no way to individually turn this off for a single site, such as YouTube. Thus, using the aforementioned Chrome plugin might be a better way to go for Edge.
Blocking autoplay videos in mobile browsers
iPhone 6S launch Riga by Janitors is licensed under CC BY 2.0 [Flickr / cropped from original]
Unfortunately, mobile browsers tend to be more locked down than desktop ones, per the nature of mobile devices [and their app stores, etc.]. Overall, iOS offers fewer autoplay blocking features versus Android.
Chrome
Theres pretty much no way to block autoplay on the mobile versions of Chrome for Android or iOS. Your best bets to switch to another browser.
Safari
Turning off autoplay in the mobile version of Safari isnt as straightforward. The best option involves turning off video previews for all Apple-tied apps, including Safari: on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > Motions, then deactivate Auto-Play Video Previews. I tried this on my iPad; it seems to work on CNNs website.
Firefox
On Android, turning off autoplay works as it does on the desktop versions. Go to Settings > Site Permissions > Autoplay and adjust the settings accordingly.
There doesnt seem to be similar settings available on the iOS version as far as I can tell. Unfortunately, the iOS version of Firefox also doesnt support third-party plugins, so that options not available.
Edge
Edge for iOS doesnt offer an autoplay block feature. It does on Android, however: go to Settings > Site permissions > Media > Autoplay, and deactivate it.
Conclusion
Overall, for blocking autoplay videos on the desktop, Id go with an extension if using Chrome or Edge, and the built-in features if using Firefox or Safari. On Android, the options are either switch to Firefox or Edge or put up with it in Chrome; on iOS, follow the Safari instructions given.
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay