Key Highlights:

• Spotify now lets users globally turn off videos like Canvas loops and podcast visuals inside the app.
• The update applies to free and paid users across Individual, Duo, Family, and Student plans.
• Family Plan managers can now control video access for any member, not just children under 13.
• Settings will sync across mobile, desktop, web, and TV versions of the app.

Spotify is rolling out a global update that allows users to disable videos across the app and switch to an audio-first experience. The new controls apply to both free and paid accounts and include settings for Canvas visuals and podcast video playback.

The change expands earlier parental controls and gives all listeners more authority over how video appears inside the Spotify interface. The rollout begins this month worldwide.

The move reflects Spotify’s continued balancing act between expanding video features and preserving its core music-first identity.

What exactly can users control inside Spotify now?

Spotify users can now decide how video content appears while listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. The updated settings allow listeners to switch off looping Canvas visuals and other video playback elements directly from the app’s “Content and display” menu.

Once selected, preferences apply automatically across mobile, desktop, web, and TV platforms. That means users no longer need to adjust settings separately on different devices.

However, Spotify clarified that some video ads will still appear even after videos are turned off. Certain Canvas-style visuals attached to audio advertisements may also continue showing.

Still, the update marks one of the most comprehensive visibility control options introduced on the platform so far.

How Family Plan managers get new control powers in Spotify

Spotify has also expanded video controls for Family Plan administrators. Earlier, only managed accounts for children under 13 allowed video restrictions.

Now, plan managers can enable or disable video access for any member in the subscription group. This change gives households greater flexibility when shaping listening environments across shared accounts.

Spotify said that previously, about 60 percent of managed child accounts already had video features turned off by parents or guardians. That data likely influenced the decision to extend controls to all Family Plan members.

Why Spotify is giving users more control over videos now

Spotify has steadily increased its focus on video over the past several years. The company introduced Canvas looping visuals in 2018. It followed that with video podcast support in 2020. In 2024, it added music videos to compete more directly with platforms like YouTube.

However, the expansion also raised concerns among regulators and policymakers, especially around how visual content affects younger audiences.

Recent legal scrutiny involving social platforms and teen safety may have accelerated demand for stronger user-side controls. By letting listeners disable videos entirely, Spotify now positions itself closer to a customizable listening environment rather than a fixed media experience.

At the same time, the update benefits users who simply prefer uninterrupted audio playback.

Where to find the new video settings in Spotify

Users can access the feature through the app’s settings section. Inside “Content and display,” they can toggle Canvas visuals and video playback on or off depending on preference.

Spotify said the settings will roll out globally throughout the month. Availability may vary slightly by device during the rollout phase.

The company described the change as part of a broader effort to help listeners control how they engage with visual content tied to music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

The update reinforces a simple shift: Spotify is giving listeners more authority over whether their experience stays visual or remains purely audio.

Conclusion

With this rollout, Spotify is making its video experience optional rather than default, giving users across plans and regions the ability to shape how they listen inside the app.