How to Stop Autoplay Videos in Safari on Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

Autoplay videos can be annoying, distracting, and even consume your data. If you’re tired of videos starting automatically when you visit a website in Safari on your Mac, you can easily disable this feature. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to stop autoplay videos in Safari on Mac:

Understanding Autoplay Settings

Safari offers two autoplay settings: "Allow All Autoplay" and "Stop Media with Sound." The former allows all videos to play automatically, while the latter only stops videos that have sound. If you want to completely disable autoplay, you’ll need to select the "Stop Media with Sound" option.

Disabling Autoplay in Safari

Using the Menu Bar

1. Launch Safari on your Mac.
2. Click on the "Safari" menu in the menu bar.
3. Select "Preferences."
4. Click on the "Websites" tab.
5. In the sidebar, select "Auto-Play."
6. Under "When visiting other websites," choose "Stop Media with Sound."

Using a Safari Extension

If you prefer a more convenient option, you can install a Safari extension that blocks autoplay videos. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Safari Extensions Gallery.
2. Search for an autoplay blocker extension.
3. Install the extension.
4. Once installed, the extension will automatically block autoplay videos on all websites.

Using Terminal Commands

If you’re comfortable using Terminal, you can disable autoplay using commands. Here’s how:

1. Open Terminal on your Mac.
2. Enter the following command:

defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitMediaPlaybackAllowsInline true

3. Press Enter.
4. Quit and relaunch Safari.

Exceptions to Autoplay Blocking

In some cases, you may want to allow autoplay for specific websites. Here’s how to add exceptions:

Using the Menu Bar

1. Open Safari on your Mac.
2. Visit the website where you want to allow autoplay.
3. Click on the "Safari" menu in the menu bar.
4. Select "Preferences."
5. Click on the "Websites" tab.
6. In the sidebar, select "Auto-Play."
7. Under "When visiting other websites," choose "Allow All Auto-Play."
8. Click on the "Add" button.
9. Enter the website’s URL.
10. Click on the "Add" button again.

Using a Safari Extension

Some autoplay blocker extensions allow you to create exceptions for specific websites. Check the extension’s documentation for more information.

Troubleshooting Autoplay Issues

If you’re still having trouble stopping autoplay videos in Safari, here are some troubleshooting tips:

1. Make sure that the "Stop Media with Sound" option is selected in Safari’s Auto-Play settings.
2. Check for any Safari extensions that might be interfering with autoplay blocking.
3. Try resetting Safari to its default settings.
4. Contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Table: Safari Autoplay Settings

Setting	Description
Allow All Autoplay	Allows all videos to play automatically
Stop Media with Sound	Stops videos that have sound from playing automatically
Allow All Auto-Play (Exception)	Allows autoplay for a specific website

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively stop autoplay videos in Safari on Mac. Whether you prefer using the menu bar, a Safari extension, or Terminal commands, there’s a solution that meets your needs. Remember to check for exceptions and troubleshoot any issues that may arise to ensure a seamless browsing experience.

FAQ about How to Stop Autoplay Videos in Safari on Mac

Can I disable autoplay videos in Safari on Mac?

Yes, you can disable autoplay videos in Safari by adjusting your preferences.

How do I disable autoplay videos in Safari on Mac?

To disable autoplay videos in Safari on Mac:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari in the menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Go to the Websites tab.
5. Select Auto-Play.
6. Choose Stop Media with Sound from the drop-down menu.

How do I disable autoplay videos for specific websites?

To disable autoplay videos for specific websites:

1. Go to the website where you want to disable autoplay videos.
2. Click the website’s address in the address bar.
3. Click on the speaker icon.
4. Select Disable Auto-Play.

How do I make exceptions to autoplay restrictions?

To make exceptions to autoplay restrictions:

1. Go to the website where you want to allow autoplay videos.
2. Click the website’s address in the address bar.
3. Click on the speaker icon.
4. Select Allow Auto-Play.

Can I disable autoplay for certain types of media?

Yes, you can disable autoplay for certain types of media, such as audio and video. To do this:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari in the menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Go to the Media tab.
5. Uncheck the boxes next to the types of media you want to disable autoplay for.

What if I still have problems with autoplay videos?

If you are still having problems with autoplay videos, you may need to clear your browser’s cache and cookies. To do this:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari in the menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Go to the Privacy tab.
5. Click Manage Website Data.
6. Click Remove All.

How do I enable autoplay videos in Safari on Mac?

To enable autoplay videos in Safari on Mac:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari in the menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Go to the Websites tab.
5. Select Auto-Play.
6. Choose Allow All Auto-Play from the drop-down menu.

What are the benefits of disabling autoplay videos?

Disabling autoplay videos can improve your browsing experience by:

• Reducing data usage
• Saving battery life
• Improving privacy

What are the drawbacks of disabling autoplay videos?

There are some drawbacks to disabling autoplay videos, such as:

• You may miss out on important content that is delivered via video.
• You may need to manually play videos that you want to watch.

Is there a way to disable autoplay videos in Safari on Mac without disabling it for all websites?

Yes, you can disable autoplay videos for specific websites only. To do this:

1. Go to the website where you want to disable autoplay videos.
2. Click the website’s address in the address bar.
3. Click on the speaker icon.
4. Select Disable Auto-Play.