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How to Disable YouTube Shorts and Reclaim Your Feed
There is a high probability that when you open YouTube, you are not looking for short, vertical videos. Many users prefer dedicated platforms like TikTok or Instagram for that type of content, choosing YouTube specifically for longer, more in-depth, and horizontal videos. If you are tired of being distracted by the Shorts feed, we have fantastic news: you can now easily turn it off.
A Much-Needed Feature for Digital Wellbeing
The latest functionality in the YouTube app is officially rolling out to users globally. The best part? You do not need a paid YouTube Premium subscription to access it.
This update is incredibly useful for parents managing screen time or anyone looking to reduce phone usage and start a digital detox. By removing the temptation of endless scrolling, you can focus on the long-form videos you actually came to watch, or explore newer platform tools like YouTube AI summaries on the homepage.
Step-by-Step: How to Turn Off YouTube Shorts on Your Smartphone
Disabling the Shorts feature takes just a few seconds. Follow these simple steps to hide the tab from your app:
- Open the YouTube App: Launch the application on your iOS or Android device.
- Access Your Settings: Tap your profile picture to open the settings panel.
- Navigate to Time Management: Scroll down and select the “Time Management” or “Digital Wellbeing” section.
- Adjust the Shorts Limit: Find the option for “Watch limit” specifically under the Shorts tab.
- Set to 0 Minutes: From the dropdown menu, select “0 minutes.”
Note: If you do not see this exact option yet, make sure your app is updated to the latest version. Global feature rollouts can sometimes take a few days to reach all regions and devices.
What Happens After You Apply the Limit?
Setting the watch limit to zero minutes has an immediate and highly satisfying effect: the dedicated YouTube Shorts tab completely disappears from your smartphone application’s bottom navigation bar.
While vertical videos from channels you follow will technically still appear in your Subscriptions feed, clicking on them will trigger a prompt reminding you that your daily limit has been reached. This acts as a perfect speedbump to stop mindless “doomscrolling” in its tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does setting the Shorts limit to zero affect my standard YouTube watch history or recommendations?
No, the 0-minute limit applies exclusively to the Shorts feed. Your regular long-form video recommendations, watch history, and subscriptions remain completely unaffected.
Can I re-enable YouTube Shorts if I change my mind later?
Yes, you can easily restore the Shorts tab at any time. Simply navigate back to the Time Management settings in the app and remove the 0-minute limit, or adjust it to a higher timeframe like 15 or 30 minutes.
Is this limit feature available for YouTube on desktop browsers?
Currently, this specific Time Management limit is focused on the mobile app experience to combat smartphone doomscrolling. However, desktop users can temporarily hide the Shorts shelf by clicking the “X” icon on the top right of the Shorts section on their homepage.
Source: The Verge
Opening photo: Gemini
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