Spotify Video Controls Now Lets You Disable Canvas And Videos
Quick Reads
- Spotify now lets every user, free or paid, disable video content entirely.
- Three separate toggles control Canvas loops, music videos, and podcast videos.
- Access the new settings via: Settings > Content and Display on any device.
- Video ads are excluded; they still play regardless of your toggle settings.
- Family Plan managers can now control video preferences for all members, not just under-13 accounts.
Spotify has rolled out new video controls, giving every user the power to go fully audio-only. Specifically, the update lets users disable Canvas loops, music videos, and podcast videos, all through a single settings menu. Overall, this is a significant shift for the platform.
Notably, the rollout covers Free, Basic, Premium Individual, Duo, Family, and Student plan tiers globally. As a result, no one is left out of this update.
Previously, this kind of control was only available as a parental feature for younger users. Now, however, it applies to everyone. Meanwhile, the Spotify video controls arrive as the platform deepens its video investment across the board.
In total, there are three separate toggles available to users. First, the first disables Canvas, the short looping visuals that play behind a track. Next, the second turns off all music videos. Finally, the third disables podcast videos and vertical clips.
To access this, go to Settings, then Content and Display, and toggle the relevant options. Importantly, preferences sync automatically across all your devices.
However, users who disable video content will still see video ads and Canvas-like visuals on some audio advertisements. For now, that part remains outside user control.
Additionally, Family Plan managers can now toggle video on or off for any member of their plan. Previously, that option only covered accounts under 13.
Moreover, the update is backed by strong user demand. According to a Burson survey of 8,400 respondents across 19 markets, 93% of Spotify users are excited about features that give them more control. Consequently, Spotify says those numbers drove this decision.
Spotify launched music videos in beta for Premium users in the US and Canada in December 2025, after expanding the feature to 85 additional markets in October 2024. The platform has been building its video presence aggressively ever since. Spotify also signed a partnership with Netflix, with Netflix streaming video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer starting in early 2026. Yet even as it grows its video slate, Spotify now lets every listener choose an audio-only experience, a clear signal that user control is becoming central to its product strategy.
