Knowing how to skip commercials on Xfinity Online helps you eliminate ads by fast-forwarding without losing the content of the show you are watching.
Unfortunately, be aware that you cannot skip the commercials on all of Xfinity programming, though you can for the vast majority.
Note that Xfinity is really a company owned by Comcast Cable and not its own entity. Comcast has legal restrictions that prevent it from letting users fast forward through commercials for all of its content.
Furthermore, it has advertising agreements with various networks and content providers.
That said, the easiest way to skip commercials on Xfinity online is to use Smart Resume, which is a feature inherent to Xfinity Online packages.
To better understand what Smart Resume is, how it works, which networks it applies to, and how to turn it on or off, use the following methods.
Using Smart Resume
Smart Resume is a feature similar to a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). It allows a user to fast forward through commercials and advertisements. However, it doesn’t apply to all programming and networks.
Instead, it is only usable with the top media outlets including HGTV, FOX, MTV, NBC, ABC, and Bravo, among other providers. On select networks, Smart Resume allows you to skip commercials through Xfinity (Comcast) subscriptions.
However, the Smart Resume feature is only applicable to shows and video content available after January 1, 2019. Shows recorded before 2019 will still contain ads that you cannot fast-forward through.
Note: Smart Resume is a feature part of all of the X1 boxes, but not all of the content providers permit the use of it. Changing your cable box will not have an effect on its availability.
Smart Resume on the Xfinity Stream App
Xfinity also provides an app so mobile users can stream content to their phones or tablet. To know how to skip ads on Xfinity Stream, you need to use the Smart Resume feature.
However, like a cable box, the Smart Resume feature, only allows you to fast-forward through commercials for select content.
It’s also interesting to note that fast-forwarding through commercials helps save data for users who are not on an unlimited plan.
Furthermore, note that the Xfinity Stream app is only available on iPhones and iPads. Xfinity claims that it wants to create an Android version of the app in the future, though.
I also found it interesting that Xfinity is currently in the process of developing a version of the app for Roku.
You can install the channel on your Roku device presently, but be aware that it’s still a Beta version.
Which Programs Have Smart Resume?
The content that allows a customer to use Smart Resume changes over time due to regional issues, licensing contracts, and other legal reasons.
To know if the content you are watching allows Smart Resume, look at the time bar at the bottom of the screen.
Content that allows for Smart Resume will display yellow bars. These yellow bars, which are spread out over the course of the bottom, indicate commercials.
If you’ve ever streamed videos on YouTube, it’s basically the same concept.
Also, when you skip a commercial on Xfinity with Smart Resume, a circle with two fast forward triangles will appear on your screen with the message “With Smart Resume.”
In addition, note that you can toggle Smart Resume on or off if you find the display distracting or irritating.
How to Turn on Smart Resume for the X1
All of the X1 Xfinity cable boxes have the Smart Resume feature, though it isn’t inherently active all the time.
If you can’t fast forward through programming that you think is eligible for Smart Resume, you may need to check the settings menu to see if it is enabled.
Conversely, if you find it to be annoying, you can shut off Smart Resume in the same place in the software’s menu. To turn on or shut off the Smart Resume feature on an X1 box, use the following steps:
- On your remote, press the Xfinity button.
- Navigate to the Settings icon.
- Select Preferences.
- Select General.
- Select Smart Resume for Recordings.
- Turn it on or off.
Note: The aforementioned steps only apply to cable box settings and not a mobile device.
How to Skip Commercials on Xfinity Online Stream Portal
Users who view content via the Stream Portal can also use the Smart Resume feature. However, it’s important to note that only up to five users can use the Stream Portal at a single time.
Furthermore, it’s typically better to stream through a local network like a Wi-Fi connection as opposed to a cell tower for better speeds and better data conservation.
Nevertheless, when trying to skip commercials on Xfinity with a mobile device, use the following steps:
- Visit the Xfinity Stream Portal.
- Open the Settings menu.
- Select Playback Preferences.
- Tap the Blue Slidebar for Smart Resume.
Note: From the same menu, you can also disable the auto-play option if you want to save data on your mobile device’s plan.
Subscribe to Xfinity Streampix
Streampix is a subscription service for on-demand content. One of the best advantages of Streampix is that it doesn’t contain ads.
As such, you won’t need to use the Smart Resume feature to circumvent a constant bombardment of advertising that interrupts the content you are viewing.
Some of the all-inclusive packages offer Xfinity Streampix by default. However, if your plan doesn’t include access to Streampix, you can add the service for an additional $4.99 (USD) per month.
Furthermore, if you want to access content through Streampix on a television, you will need a cable box that has on-demand capabilities.
Read Next: Why Is My Xfinity Data Usage So High?
Bottom Line
Knowing how to skip commercials on Xfinity Online comes down to whether or not you have Smart Resume enabled or not.
Again, please be aware that not all of the content offered through the Comcast Xfinity network allows you to skip commercials.
Also, note that every Xfinity app and cable box has the Smart Resume feature so you can fast forward through commercials, much like a DVR feature.
If you don’t want to have to fast forward through commercials constantly, signing up for on-demand streaming content with Streampix ensures that your programming is completely ad-free.
Lastly, note that on a mobile device, an ad-blocker app doesn’t skip commercials on Xfinity. Instead, the commercials are ingrained into the streaming content, and not all of the commercials can be blocked with Smart Resume.
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.