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

Starting today, Family Plan managers around the world can switch video content on or off for any plan member directly from their subscription settings. Previously, this feature was only available to managed accounts for users under 13. Spotify notes that 60% of those users had their video shut off by the account manager (a parent or guardian).

The company will also now allow Premium and Basic users across Individual, Duo, 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 navigate to their settings and select the “Content and display” option. From there, they can switch the app’s “Canvas” looping visuals or videos for music or podcasts on or off. Once users have selected their preferences, they will be applied across mobile, desktop, web, and TV.

Image Credits:Spotify

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

“Listeners can now choose exactly how they want to engage with the videos that amplify music, podcasts, and audiobooks on Spotify,” the company wrote in a blog post. “Control changes everything. Time stops feeling wasted and starts feeling owned.

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

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Spotify has increasingly embraced video over the past few years after first launching its Canvas videos in 2018 and rolling out video podcasts 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 have a close eye on social and video apps’ impacts on younger users. Those who just want their music app to focus on music will also benefit.

Topics

Apps, Apps, Media & Entertainment, Spotify

Aisha Malik

Consumer News Reporter

Aisha is a consumer news reporter at TechCrunch. Prior to joining the publication in 2021, she was a telecom reporter at MobileSyrup. Aisha holds an honours bachelor’s degree from University of Toronto and a master’s degree in journalism from Western University.

You can contact or verify outreach from Aisha by emailing aisha@techcrunch.com or via encrypted message at aisha_malik.01 on Signal.

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Spotify now lets everyone turn off videos in its app