# automaticallyPlaysDefaultAnimation Whether to automatically play the default animation when the entity is added to a scene and enabled. Default value is false, meaning the default animation will not be automatically played by default. This value can only be set when initializing `AnimationLibraryComponent` ``` var automaticallyPlaysDefaultAnimation: Bool { get } ``` ## Return Value - `true` if automatically play default animation is enabled - `false` if automatically play default animation is disabled ## Discussion When set to `true`, the animation system automatically plays the default animation when the entity is added to a scene and enabled. The animation that auto-plays is determined by [`defaultKey`](/documentation/RealityKit/AnimationLibraryComponent/defaultKey). If `defaultKey` is set, the system plays the animation stored under that key. If `defaultKey` is not set, the system plays the first animation in the library. If the library contains no animations, auto-play has no effect. This is useful for background objects with looping animations, idle character states, or any entity whose animation should start without requiring code. When set to `false`, animations require manual playback using [`playAnimation(_:transitionDuration:startsPaused:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/Entity/playAnimation(_:transitionDuration:startsPaused:)). Use manual playback when you need to control timing, pass custom parameters, or coordinate animation start with other game logic. Disabling the entity or removing the `AnimationLibraryComponent` will stop any auto-playing animation. ## Example ```swift var library = AnimationLibraryComponent(automaticallyPlaysDefaultAnimation: true) library["idle"] = idleAnimation library.defaultKey = "idle" entity.components.set(library) // Animation plays automatically when the entity is added to a scene and enabled ``` --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)