YouTube doesn't document an auto scroll setting for Shorts. YouTube Help describes moving to the next Short yourself, by swiping on your phone or scrolling or clicking down on a TV remote, and the Autoplay switch it does offer is described for regular videos, not the Shorts feed.
A search of YouTube's help centre on 26 October 2026 returned no auto scroll article. TikTok and Instagram have put the question in people's heads, so it's a fair thing to look for. Here's how the Shorts feed is designed to move, what each device does, and the settings YouTube does give you.
How the Shorts feed moves today
When YouTube announced Shorts on its official blog in September 2020, it described a new watch experience that lets you easily swipe vertically from one video to the next. That swipe is still the core of it. YouTube Help says the Shorts player lets you watch and interact with a never-ending stream of videos in the Shorts Feed, and that when you select a Short it plays continuously in the Shorts player.
In other words, the feed is endless, but you do the moving.
| Device | How you go to the next Short | How you go back |
|---|---|---|
| Phone or tablet app | Swipe up | Swipe down |
| Smart TV or game console | Scroll or click down on the remote | Scroll or click up on the remote |
| Computer | Click Shorts on the left of YouTube to open the Shorts player | YouTube Help doesn't spell out the computer controls |
Using Shorts on a TV
The TV is where the controls are spelled out most clearly. YouTube Help lists these remote controls inside the Shorts player:
- To start or pause the Short, click directly on it.
- To find more info about the Short, click right.
- To advance to the next Short, scroll or click down.
- To return to the previous Short, scroll or click up.
YouTube also notes the Shorts player may not work on some devices released before 2019, so an older TV may not show Shorts at all.
Does Autoplay make Shorts scroll on their own?
This is where most of the confusion comes from. YouTube's Autoplay help page says that when Autoplay is on, another related video automatically plays after a video ends. The page walks through the switch on the player, the Android and iPhone settings, TVs, casting and smart displays, and it doesn't mention the Shorts feed anywhere.
So turning Autoplay on won't give you a hands-free Shorts feed, and turning it off won't stop you swiping. If long videos are the problem rather than Shorts, my guide on turning off autoplay on YouTube has the steps for every device.
What about auto scroll apps and browser extensions?
You'll find browser add-ons that promise to move Shorts along for you. They're third-party tools, not YouTube features, and YouTube's help centre says nothing about them, so you're trusting an outside developer with your browser. I'd rather you used the settings YouTube supports.
The settings YouTube does give you
If the reason you want auto scroll is to watch less while lying on the sofa, the useful settings point the other way: they slow the feed down.
| Setting | Where to find it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Shorts feed limit | You tab, Settings, Time management, Shorts feed limit | Shows a reminder when your chosen time in the Shorts feed is used up; you can dismiss or ignore it, and zero is an option |
| Take a break reminder | Profile picture, Settings, General | Pauses your video at the frequency you choose until you dismiss it or resume |
| Autoplay | Switch on the player, or Settings, Autoplay | Plays another related video after a regular video ends |
Two details from YouTube Help are worth knowing. The take a break reminder is on by default for users aged 13 to 17 and off by default for adults. And Autoplay stops on its own after 30 minutes of inactivity on a mobile network, or after 4 hours on Wi-Fi.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
For late nights, the YouTube bedtime reminder is another built-in nudge in the same settings family.
How YouTube compares with Instagram
Instagram users ask the same question about Reels. If you split your evenings between apps, my answer on whether Instagram has auto scroll covers that side.
My verdict
There's no official auto scroll for YouTube Shorts in YouTube's help centre today, so don't go hunting through your settings for a switch that isn't there. Swipe on your phone, click down on your TV, and if you're looking for auto scroll because you want to watch with less effort, think about whether a Shorts feed limit would serve you better. It's built in, it's free, and it doesn't need an outside add-on in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Does YouTube Shorts have auto scroll?
YouTube Help doesn't document an auto scroll setting for Shorts. You move to the next Short by swiping on your phone or scrolling or clicking down on a TV remote.
Does Autoplay work on YouTube Shorts?
YouTube's Autoplay help page describes Autoplay for regular videos, where another related video plays after a video ends, and doesn't mention the Shorts feed.
How do I go to the next Short on my TV?
YouTube Help says to scroll or click down on your remote to advance to the next Short, and scroll or click up to go back.
How do I watch Shorts on a computer?
Go to YouTube and, on the left, click Shorts to enter the YouTube Shorts player.
Can I limit how long I spend on Shorts?
Yes. In the YouTube app go to You, Settings, Time management, Shorts feed limit and choose a time limit, including zero.
