In recent years, the way we consume content on social media has dramatically shifted. Many platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), have introduced features to keep users engaged, such as auto-scrolling videos. While these features can be helpful for quickly browsing content, they can also be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to focus on a specific video or prevent constant distractions. Luckily, there are ways to minimize or stop videos from automatically scrolling on X. Here’s how you can take control of your feed experience.
1. Turn Off Auto-Play on X
The most straightforward way to prevent videos from playing automatically (and thus scrolling to other content) is by adjusting the auto-play settings on your X app.
How to Disable Auto-Play
1. Open the X app on your smartphone or go to the X website on your desktop.
2. Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the top-left corner.
3. Select “Settings and Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
4. Choose “Accessibility, Display, and Languages.”
5. Tap on “Data Usage.”
6. Disable “Video Autoplay.”
Once you’ve done this, videos won’t start playing automatically, and they’re less likely to switch to other videos, allowing you to have more control over what you watch.
2. Use Third-Party Browser Extensions
If you’re viewing X on a desktop browser, several third-party extensions can help block auto-scrolling content or limit distracting elements on the site. Extensions like “uBlock Origin” or “AdBlock Plus” can be configured to stop videos from automatically loading. These extensions allow you to create custom filters for content you want to see or block.
Here’s how you can set it up with uBlock Origin:
1. Install uBlock Origin from the Chrome Web Store or the add-ons site for Firefox.
2. Open the extension settings by clicking the uBlock icon on your browser toolbar.
3. Add a custom filter specific to X. For example, you can disable certain classes of autoplay elements by setting up a custom rule.
4. Reload X, and the custom filter should now prevent some of the auto-scrolling video content.
3. Use a Focus Mode on Your Device
Both iOS and Android devices have “Focus” or “Do Not Disturb” modes that can limit distractions from apps. Though this won’t directly stop videos from auto-scrolling on X, setting a Focus mode can reduce how often you get pulled into the platform for new content notifications.
How to Enable Focus Mode on iOS:
1. Go to Settings > Focus on your iPhone.
2. Select Add New Focus and configure it to reduce notifications from apps, including X.
3. You can further customize this focus mode by allowing specific people or apps to notify you and hiding notification badges that may otherwise pull you back to the app.
How to Enable Focus Mode on Android:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Go to Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.
3. Select Focus Mode and add X to your blocked apps list.
4. When Focus Mode is enabled, you’ll avoid constant notifications and stay focused on your primary tasks.
4. Regularly Clear Your Feed Preferences
X customizes your feed based on your interactions, including the videos you watch and scroll through. By clearing your preferences, you’ll have a cleaner slate and potentially fewer autoplay videos.
To do this:
1. Navigate to Settings and Privacy on X.
2. Select Privacy and Safety, then go to Content Preferences.
3. Clear cache data and reset recommendations.
By adjusting these settings, you’ll regain control over your X experience, minimize distractions, and reduce the frustration of auto-scrolling videos.