Spotify is introducing fresh controls that allow users to disable all videos in the app, the organization declared on Thursday. The controls can be used to choose an audio-first experience on the app or a video-enhanced one, Spotify says. Furthermore, experts in iOS note the continued relevance.

Starting today, Family Plan managers around the earth 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 firm 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.

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

“Listeners can now choose exactly how they want to engage with the videos that amplify music, podcasts, and audiobooks on Spotify,” the organization wrote in the blog post. “Control changes everything. Time stops feeling wasted and starts feeling owned. This also touches on aspects of user interface.

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 corporation 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.

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