YouTube is piloting a new feature called Sleep Timer, aimed at users who frequently watch videos before sleeping. This experimental feature has been rolled out for a limited time, enabling users to pause video playback to avoid watching all night. Depending on user feedback, YouTube may potentially expand this feature to a wider audience in the future.
YouTube Tests Sleep Timer Feature
In a recent announcement on their website, YouTube detailed the functionality of the Sleep Timer feature, stating, “Sleep Timer lets you set a timer to automatically pause playback after a certain amount of time.”
Using the feature is designed to be user-friendly. To activate it, users need to open the YouTube app on their mobile device or access the web client on either their phone or desktop. From there, they can navigate to the settings menu, represented by a gear icon located in the top right corner of the video player. It is essential for users to be signed into their account to utilize this feature.
The settings will present options to pause playback after intervals of 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Additionally, users can enable a setting to stop autoplay once the current video has concluded. This feature is currently exclusive to YouTube Premium subscribers.
Since this is an experimental rollout, users must first enable experimental features in their settings. Premium subscribers can do this by navigating to Settings on their YouTube homepage and selecting try experimental new features. It is important to note that this feature will be available until September 2.
The Sleep Timer is likely to be beneficial for those who enjoy watching videos as part of their bedtime routine but are concerned about leaving the video running or draining their device’s battery overnight. In India, a YouTube Premium subscription starts at Rs. 129 per month for a monthly plan, with a standalone one-month subscription priced at Rs. 139. An annual plan is available for Rs. 1,290.
