YouTube tests sleep timer feature for premium members: Check how it works

With sleep timer, premium YouTube subscribers will be able to set a time after which the playback will be paused. The feature is available on both YouTube for mobile and desktop

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Google-owned video streaming platform YouTube has rolled out a sleep timer on its mobile app and desktop version that pauses the video playback after a specified time. The feature is currently being tested with premium subscribers, with TVs excluded from this test for now.

“Sleep timer lets you set a timer to automatically pause playback after a certain amount of time,” reads the YouTube page detailing experimental new features for Premium subscribers.

YouTube Premium subscribers can access the feature by going to Settings and then selecting "Try experimental new features." After signing up, go to Settings, and the Sleep Timer option will be visible in the playback menu on desktop. Users can choose from 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes. Users can also choose for the timer to end at the conclusion of the video. If the playback is paused once, users can extend the timer through a pop-up that appears. If the user does not extend the timer, the playback will remain paused.

On Android, the option can be found in the Additional Settings while watching the video. The feature is available to YouTube Premium subscribers until September 2 and may be introduced more widely in the upcoming months.

The sleep timer was first spotted in June during testing. This feature will prevent playback of videos after the predetermined time. Unnecessary playback influences the recommendations and watch history on the video streaming platform and also drains the battery of the device.

Spotify offers sleep timers, and TikTok has experimented with a similar feature.