Automatic video playback in the browser is one of the most annoying features for most users. Especially unpleasant when videos start playing on their own on mobile devices, consuming traffic and battery power. On Xiaomi smartphones with Yandex Browser installed, this problem is especially common due to the specifics of MIUI optimization and the peculiarities of the web browser from Yandex.
In this article, you’ll find all the possible ways to disable autoplay, from standard browser settings to hidden developer settings. We’ll take a look at solutions for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), take into account the features of Global and China firmware, and give recommendations for additional optimization to save traffic. If you’re tired of suddenly launching videos on sites like Vkontakte, YouTube or news portals, this guide will help you regain control of the browser.
Why are videos autoplayed in Yandex Browser on Xiaomi?
The problem of auto-starting video is due to a combination of several factors specific to the Xiaomi ecosystem:
- 🔹 Politics MIUI Default: The firmware actively caches media content to “improve the user experience,” often resulting in automatic playback.
- 🔹 Browser Settings: In the latest versions (23.7)+) Autoplay feature enabled for "popular sites" by default.
- 🔹 Traffic optimization: Built into MIUI Security App sometimes conflicts with browser settings, resetting them to factory.
- 🔹 Responsive Content: Many sites (such as TikTok or Instagram) use scripts that bypass standard browser restrictions.
Fun fact: MIUI China devices are less likely to have problems than the Global versions, as Chinese firmware defaults to block auto-start media to save traffic, due to local mobile internet tariffs, which have historically been more expensive than in Europe.
⚠️ Note: If you use the Lite version of Yandex Browser (light for weak devices), some settings may not be available, in which case you will have to upgrade to the full version or use alternative methods from the section on system settings.
Method 1: Disabling Autoplay in Yandex Browser Settings
The most obvious and quickest method is to use built-in browser options. However, depending on the Yandex Browser version (and Xiaomi firmware region), the path to settings may differ. Here are the current instructions for versions 23.5–24.2:
- Open Yandex Browser and tap the icon ⋮ (three points) in lower right corner.
- Select the Settings item → Additionally.
- Scroll down to the Sites section and click Site Settings.
- Find the Media option (or Autoplay in older versions).
- Translate the slider Autoplay video to the position Off..
- For reliability, add exceptions for problematic sites through Add an exception (e.g. vk.com or youtube.com).
Are all browser tabs open before changing settings?
Does the browser restart after the changes are applied?
Are the settings checked on several sites (YouTube, VK, news portals)?
Is Yandex Browser Updated to the Latest Version?-->
If Autoplay is not available in your browser version, this may mean:
- 🔸 You have an outdated version installed (below 22.9) – update your browser via Google Play.
- 🔸 Your firmware. MIUI modified (castomy) – some functions can be removed.
- 🔸 You are using a regional version of your browser (e.g. Turkey or India) where the settings are different.
💡
If you still start autoplay after you turn off, try clearing your browser cache: Settings → Privacy → Clear data → Cash. This will reset the saved permissions for sites.
Method 2: Lock through Android system settings on Xiaomi
When your browser settings don't work, you can take advantage of Android's global limitations. Xiaomi has a more stable approach than other brands, thanks to its built-in Security app manager. Here's how to do it:
- Open Phone Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Yandex Browser in the list and tap it.
- Select Permissions → Additional (or Special Permits to the MIUI 14).
- Find the Auto Start and turn it off.
- Go back and select Mobile Data → set a limit on background traffic.
| MIUI version | The path to auto-start settings | Additional action |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12/12.5 | Settings → Applications → Management → Auto-Run | Disable for the browser + limit background activity |
| MIUI 13 | Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun | It is also recommended to disable the notification display |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Autorun | Add the browser to Sleep mode to save battery |
Important: on some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) after disabling auto-start, it may be necessary to restart the device for the changes to take effect. MIUI Optimization Service.
⚠️ Note: If you use dual applications (function) MIUI For cloning programs, the autorun settings will have to be applied separately for each copy of Yandex Browser.
Redmi Note Series (9/10/11/12)
POCO (F/X/M series)
Mi (11/12/13 series)
Black Shark
Other-->
Method 3: Using the traffic saving mode in MIUI
MIUI has a built-in mobile traffic saving mechanism that indirectly blocks autoplay of video, a technique that is especially useful if you use the mobile Internet frequently:
- Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use.
- Select Traffic Saving and activate the option.
- Tap savings settings → Limit background data.
- In the list of applications, find Yandex Browser and set a limit for it.
This method does not disable autoplay completely, but significantly reduces its frequency, since the browser will block the loading of heavy media files in the background, especially effective on devices with MIUI 13+, where the algorithm for saving traffic has been reworked.
An added bonus: Enabling this option also increases battery life by 15-20% by limiting the back-end activity of apps, as confirmed by tests on the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Redmi K50 Pro.
What if there is no “traffic saving” option?
Method 4: Configure with Chrome Flags (for power users)
The Yandex Browser is based on Chromium, so it has hidden experimental settings called Flags, which requires caution, but allows you to flexibly adjust the behavior of the browser:
- Open Yandex Browser and enter in the address bar: browser://flags
- In the flag search box, type: autoplay
- Find options: Autoplay policy - set Document user activation is required. Hardware-accelerated video decode - disable.
Relaunch
Warning: Sloppy changes to Flags can lead to unstable browser operation or even its collapse.We recommend that you back up your bookmarks through Settings → Import and Export before experimenting.
If after using the flags, the video stopped playing at all (even by click), return the settings to the original state or reset the browser:
Settings → Additional → Reset settings💡
Changes to Chrome Flags only apply to your current browser profile, and if you use multiple accounts on Yandex Browser, you’ll have to duplicate the settings for each.
Method 5: Blocking through hosts files (for advanced)
The Radical method for those who are willing to take drastic measures: editing the hosts system file to block autoplay domains, which requires root rights or ADB, but it gives 100% results.
Instructions:
- Install a file manager with root access (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
- Go to /system/etc/hosts
- Add a line to the end of the file (blocking popular video hosting): 127.0.0.1 vk.com 127.0.0.1 youtube.com 127.0.0.1 tiktok.com 127.0.0.1 ok.ru
- Save the file and restart the device.
For POCO and Black Shark owners: Your firmware has a hidden Game Turbo option that can conflict with your browser settings. Turn it off in Settings → Special Features → Game Turbo if you notice that the videos are only played horizontally.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Bromite/Kiwi
Opera/Opera Mini
Other/Not using-->