Spotify now lets everyone stop playing videos in its app

Spotify is introducing new controls that allow users to disable all videos in the company’s app Announce Thursday. Spotify says the controls can be used to choose an audio-first experience on the app or a video-enhanced experience.

Starting today, family plan managers around the world can turn video content on or off for any plan member directly from their subscription settings. Previously, this feature was only available for managed accounts for users under 13 years of age. Spotify Reviews 60% of these users had their video locked by the account manager (parent or guardian).

The company will now also allow Premium and Basic users across Individual, Dual, Family and Student plans, as well as users on its free service, to control how video content appears in their app.

To access the video controls, users need to go to their settings and select the “Content & Display” option. From there, they can turn the app’s looping visuals or videos on or off for music or podcasts. Once users select their preferences, they will be applied across mobile, desktop, web and TV.

The company says that the setting update will begin rolling out to all users globally this month.

“Listeners can now choose how they want to interact with music amplifying videos, podcasts, and audiobooks on Spotify,” the company wrote in its statement. Blog post. “Control changes everything. Time stops feeling lost and starts feeling owned.”

Spotify notes that users will still see video ads, as well as Canvas-like videos in some audio ads.

Spotify has increasingly embraced video over the past few years after debuting Canvas Videos in 2018 and rolling out Audio video files In 2020. Spotify added support for Music videos in 2024 to better compete with YouTube.

By giving users the option to turn off videos on the app, the company is likely looking to appease regulators and lawmakers who are closely monitoring the effects of social and video apps on younger users. Those who just want their music app to focus on music will also benefit.