Yahoo Movies Netflix users rejoice after platform announces way to turn off much-disliked 'autoplay' function
Netflix has listened to its users and now given them the option to bin off the roundly-despised 'autoplay' function on the streaming platform.
Scrolling down the page to find something to watch meant that every time you hovered over a show or a movie for just a second or so, it would begin playing a preview clip of said show or movie, whether you liked it or not.
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Worst of all was that the preview clips came with sound, making it extra intrusive.
While it was a flashy way to show off its content, it drove users to utter distraction.
I hate the Netflix autoplay feature. It's like poking your head into a store that you're kinda sorta interested in browsing, only to have somebody run at you screaming, "CAN I HELP YOU FIND ANYTHING????"
— MZS (@mattzollerseitz) February 6, 2019
i love netflix’s new layout, “scroll carefully because the little title cards are autoplay video lava"
— Casey Johnston (@caseyjohnston) September 9, 2018
my entire kingdom for a way to turn off the autoplay while browsing Netflix
— Sarah Hollowell 🦝 (@sarahhollowell) January 29, 2020
Even some famous folk chimed in about their hatred of the feature.
Current favorite console game: navigating Netflix without triggering autoplay promos
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) March 16, 2018
Ok @netflix it’s good we can joke about this but it’s been two months now, this has got to stop.
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) May 23, 2018
But now, in the profile management settings, we can finally be rid of this tiresome, maddening presumptuousness.
In a tweet, the streamer admitted that while some people ‘find this feature helpful... others not so much’.
Some people find this feature helpful. Others not so much.
We’ve heard the feedback loud and clear — members can now control whether or not they see autoplay previews on Netflix. Here's how: https://t.co/6V2TjEW6HD https://t.co/zbz4E8fVab— Netflix US (@netflix) February 6, 2020
You can now turn off both the browsing autoplay function, and the episode autoplay function, which automatically decides on your behalf that you want to watch the next episode of show.
Read more: The most popular Netflix releases of 2019
It's worth noting that there could be a delay to the functionality being implemented, but an update can be 'forced' by switching to another profile, and then back to your own.
Widespread celebration has broken out following the move.
Happy Netflix have finally turned off autoplay day! 🥳 https://t.co/w5zopOtcWS
— James Cherry (@lechuzzles) February 7, 2020
You can now finally stop trailers etc autoplaying while scrolling through Netflix.
1. Sign In to Netflix from web
2. Select Manage Profiles from the menu
3. Select the profile you’d like to update
4. Check or uncheck the option to Autoplay previews
And there was much rejoicing.— Nick Jackson (@nickjackson) February 7, 2020
Human civilisation may be doomed but at least now you can now turn off those annoying autoplay previews on Netflix. You can only do this through your browser but it should work across all your devices.
— Benjamin J Lee (@nebulon82) February 7, 2020
I know it's been a crazy year already. But today you can hold your loved ones close and tell them we did it. @netflix is finally allowing us to turn off autoplay previews while browsing. pic.twitter.com/KrnagqiLDA
— Matt Keaton (@BangkokPeanut) February 6, 2020
OMGGGGGG OUR LONG DARK ETERNAL NIGHTMARE HAS FINALLY COME TO AN END FUCK NETFLIX AUTOPLAY FOREVER https://t.co/MQEQOoCqCw pic.twitter.com/yhQD5GNr90
— Erin Biba (@erinbiba) February 7, 2020
And while Netflix was probably just trying to be helpful, thankfully 'autoplay' has now been consigned to Room 101.
And good riddance.
