The Easiest Ways to Stop GIFs on Your Web Browser

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Say goodbye to endless looping GIFs and auto-playing videos‍
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Have you ever wanted to disable those annoying animated images on web pages, especially the ones with excessive movement that never ends? If you have photosensitivity, random flashing GIFs can be a problem. Luckily, you can easily stop GIFs or other animated images in web browsers using browser extensions. This wikiHow article teaches you how to stop animations in your web browser.

Stop GIFs from Auto-Playing

For all web browsers, you can find extensions and add-ons that will help you, like GIF Blocker for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. If you have an Android, iPhone, iPad, or Mac, use accessibility options in the Settings menu to stop the extra motion in Safari and on your device.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using Chrome & Edge

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  1. There is no setting that allows you to stop GIF animations in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. However, there are a few animated image-blocking extensions in each browser's associated store that you can download for free. Here are a few examples:
    • GIF Blocker - This is the featured GIF blocker extension on the Chrome Web Store and Microsoft Edge extensions page. We will be using this extension in these examples
    • Animation Policy - You only need to run this extension once and you can use it to set a policy that blocks all GIF animations (Chrome only).
    • Photosensitivity Video Blocker - This extension is designed for people with video photosensitivity. It blocks GIFs and videos from auto-playing in your web browser (Chrome only).
    • Alternatively you can go to the Chrome Web Store or Microsoft Edge Extensions Search Page and use the search bar to search for GIF blockers. However, be aware that some older extensions may not be supported anymore.
  2. To download an extension for Chrome or Edge, go to the extension's download page and click the Add to Chrome or Add to Edge button at the top of the extension's download page, then follow the on-screen instructions.
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  3. To make sure you can start the animated GIF blocker in your browser, click the jigsaw puzzle piece icon at the top-right corner to view a list of all installed extensions, then click the pushpin icon next to the extension. Now you'll see the extension's icon in the tray at the upper-right corner of your browser, to the right of the URL bar.
  4. This will open another window so you can change how the extension works.
    • If you're using a Mac, press Ctrl while you click to right-click.
  5. For example, many sites rely on WebP animations to display login or other important information, so you should uncheck that one if you want those animations to work.
    • To make it so GIFs don't play automatically, check the option to "Block 'GIF' animation type."
    • The options will vary by extension.
  6. This saves the settings you selected and applies them.
  7. Now that you have a GIF blocker, any animated GIFs on the page will no longer load. If you want to see one of the GIFs that didn't load, right-click or control-click on it and select Show this Image .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using Safari on iPhone and iPad

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  1. Tap the app icon that resembles two gears to open the Settings menu. If you don't want GIFs to play automatically on websites in Safari or in the Messages app, you can turn them off by making a quick change in your Accessibility settings.
  2. You'll need to scroll down to find this menu option.
  3. You'll see options to reduce motion.
  4. When this option is on, it reduces the motion of animated items, such as icon effects.
  5. Animated images like GIFs will no longer automatically play in Messages or Safari.
  6. This stops full-screen message effects from automatically playing in the Messages app. However, you can still view them by tapping them.
  7. This stops video thumbnail previews such as the ones you see in the App Store.
  8. If you have photosensitivity you may want to turn this option on. This automatically dims content when flashing or strobing lights are detected. [1]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using Safari on Mac

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  1. Click the Apple logo and select System Settings . If you don't want GIFs and other animations to play automatically in Safari and other apps on your Mac, you can disable auto-play in your Accessibility settings.
  2. It's next to a blue icon on the sidebar of the menu.
  3. This will give you more options.
  4. This reduces all motion on your screen. It reduces animated effects and transitions.
  5. This will prevent messages in Messenger or websites in Safari from automatically playing repeated images like GIFs.
  6. If you have photosensitivity, you may want to turn this on. This automatically dims animations when flashing or strobing lights are detected on screen. [2]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using Firefox

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  1. You'll see a warning to "Proceed with Caution" since any changes you make here can affect Firefox's performance and security.
  2. This opens a page with some hidden settings.
  3. It's the button at the top of the page. This shows all preferences.
  4. You'll see a list of matching preferences as you type.
  5. This field says "Default" before you change it. When you change it to "None", animations will no longer play when webpages load in Firefox. [3]
  6. If you don't want to mess with the configuration preferences, you can download Firefox add-ons that prevent animated images and GIFs from automatically playing. Some of the following are extensions you can use to block GIF animations:
    • GIF Blocker - The most popular GIF-blocking extension for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge is also available for Firefox.
    • Toggle Image Animation - This add-on places a toggle switch in the menu bar that allows you to toggle animations on and off.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Reducing Animations on Android

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  1. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen. Then tap the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
  2. It's in the Settings menu. This allows you to modify accessibility options for vision, hearing, and dexterity limitations.
  3. It's near the top of the Accessibility menu.
    • On some Android models, this may read as "Visibility enhancements."
  4. This option reduces animations and transitions across your entire Android device. [4]
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    How can I permanently stop slideshows from sliding (changing images)?
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    Press "Esc" on your keyboard. This will stop all the animated images in a page.
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      Tips

      • Go to https://giphy.com/ to see if your GIF-blocking method worked in your web browser. If GIFs still load and are animated, try another web browser and follow the above instructions to block GIFs and animated images.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/reduce-onscreen-motion-iph0b691d3ed/ios
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-sg/guide/mac-help/mchlc03f57a1/mac
      3. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RODvjyAOrKE

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