YouTube Shorts have become one of the most popular ways to watch quick videos online. They are short, vertical clips designed to keep viewers scrolling from one video to the next. While Shorts can be entertaining and useful, not everyone wants them filling their YouTube feed.
If you have ever wondered, “How can I disable YouTube Shorts?”, you are not alone. Many YouTube users prefer traditional long-form videos and find the constant stream of Shorts distracting. Others want to reduce screen time, avoid repetitive content, or make YouTube easier for children to use.
The important thing to understand is that YouTube does not generally provide a single universal “Disable Shorts” button that permanently removes Shorts everywhere. However, depending on the device and version of YouTube you use, there are several ways to reduce, hide, or avoid Shorts.
This guide explains the available options and shows you how to turn off YouTube Shorts step by step.
Can You Completely Disable YouTube Shorts?
Before trying different methods, it is important to clarify what “disable” means.
YouTube regularly changes its interface and features, so there may not always be a permanent setting that completely removes Shorts from every part of the platform. On some devices, you may be able to reduce Shorts recommendations, while on others you can hide them from particular sections of your feed.
In other words, you may not be able to completely eliminate every Short from YouTube, but you can take several steps to make Shorts appear much less frequently.
Why Do People Want to Turn Off YouTube Shorts?
There are several reasons users search for how to disable YouTube Shorts.
1. Shorts Can Be Distracting
Short-form videos are designed for quick consumption. One video can easily turn into dozens of minutes of scrolling.
If you visit YouTube to watch a specific tutorial, lecture, review, or documentary, Shorts can make it harder to stay focused.
2. You Prefer Long-Form Content
Some users simply prefer traditional YouTube videos. Long-form content is often better suited for detailed tutorials, educational videos, product reviews, interviews, and entertainment.
3. You Want to Reduce Screen Time
Because Shorts are quick to watch, it can be easy to continue scrolling without realizing how much time has passed. Reducing Shorts recommendations can help create a more controlled YouTube experience.
4. You Want a Cleaner YouTube Feed
If your YouTube homepage contains too many Shorts, hiding or reducing them can make it easier to find the regular videos you actually want to watch.
How Can I Turn Off YouTube Shorts?
There are several approaches you can try. The exact options available may depend on your YouTube app version, account, device, and region.
Method 1: Select “Not Interested”
One of the easiest ways to reduce unwanted Shorts is to tell YouTube that you are not interested in the content.
Steps:
- Open YouTube on your phone or computer.
- Go to the Home feed.
- Find a Shorts section or a Short that you do not want to see.
- Open the three-dot menu next to the content.
- Select Not interested, if the option is available.
- Repeat this process when YouTube recommends similar unwanted content.
This does not necessarily disable YouTube Shorts completely. Instead, it gives YouTube feedback about the type of content you do not want recommended.
Over time, recommendation signals can change, although Shorts may still appear elsewhere on the platform.
Method 2: Use YouTube’s “Show Fewer Shorts” Option When Available
YouTube has experimented with controls that allow users to reduce the amount of Shorts content shown in recommendations.
If you see an option such as Show fewer Shorts or a similar control, select it.
How to check:
- Open YouTube.
- Visit the Home page.
- Look for the Shorts section.
- Tap or click the menu associated with that section.
- Look for an option that reduces Shorts recommendations.
- Select it if available.
Because YouTube frequently tests different interface features, this option may not appear for every user.
Method 3: Avoid the Shorts Tab
Another simple solution is to stop using the dedicated Shorts section.
On many versions of YouTube, Shorts have their own tab or prominent placement. If your goal is to spend less time watching short videos, avoid opening this section.
Instead, use:
- Search
- Subscriptions
- Watch Later
- Your library
- Specific channels
- Playlists
This approach does not remove Shorts from YouTube, but it can significantly reduce exposure to them.
Method 4: Use Your Subscriptions Feed
If you mainly want to watch regular videos from channels you follow, the Subscriptions area can be useful.
Instead of scrolling through the Home feed, open your subscriptions and select the long-form videos you want to watch.
This gives you greater control over what you watch and can reduce the temptation to scroll through recommended Shorts.
Method 5: Clear or Adjust Your YouTube Watch History
Your YouTube recommendations are influenced by your activity, including videos you watch and interact with.
If you frequently watch Shorts, YouTube may interpret that activity as an interest in short-form content.
You can review your YouTube history and remove videos that you do not want influencing your recommendations.
General steps:
- Open YouTube.
- Go to your account settings or history.
- Review your watch history.
- Remove unwanted viewing activity where appropriate.
- Be more selective about the videos you watch going forward.
Keep in mind that changing your watch history can affect other recommendations as well, so this method should be used carefully.
How to Disable YouTube Shorts on Android
Android users generally access YouTube through the official mobile app. There is not necessarily a universal switch that completely removes Shorts from the app.
However, you can reduce Shorts using recommendation controls.
Try these steps:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Sign in to your account.
- Find Shorts on the Home feed.
- Tap the three-dot menu.
- Choose Not interested when available.
- Use the regular Home, Subscriptions, or Library sections instead of the Shorts feed.
- Keep your YouTube app updated so you have access to the latest available controls.
If your version of YouTube provides a specific option to show fewer Shorts, use that option.
How to Turn Off YouTube Shorts on iPhone
The process on iPhone is similar to Android because both platforms use the official YouTube application.
Follow these steps:
- Open YouTube on your iPhone.
- Find a Shorts section on the Home page.
- Tap the three-dot menu associated with a recommended Short.
- Select Not interested if available.
- Avoid the Shorts tab when you want to watch traditional videos.
- Use Subscriptions or Search to find long-form content.
The exact appearance of the controls can vary depending on your YouTube app version.
How to Reduce YouTube Shorts on a Computer
Watching YouTube through a desktop browser can make it easier to focus on specific videos.
If Shorts are appearing on your homepage, try the following:
- Open YouTube in your browser.
- Sign in to your account.
- Find Shorts in your recommendations.
- Use the available three-dot menu.
- Select Not interested when offered.
- Use the Subscriptions page for videos from channels you follow.
- Search directly for long-form videos rather than browsing recommended Shorts.
You can also bookmark specific channels or playlists that contain the type of content you prefer.
Can YouTube Shorts Be Permanently Removed?
For most users, there is no guaranteed official setting that permanently removes every YouTube Short from the entire YouTube platform.
This is an important distinction when searching for how can I disable YouTube Shorts.
Some third-party browser extensions or modified applications may claim to remove Shorts completely. However, these solutions can stop working when YouTube changes its website or app and may introduce privacy, security, or account-related concerns.
For the safest experience, it is generally better to use YouTube’s own settings and recommendation controls whenever possible.
How to Stop Shorts From Taking Over Your YouTube Feed
Even if you cannot completely disable Shorts, you can make your YouTube experience more focused.
Watch More Long-Form Videos
YouTube learns from your viewing behavior. If you consistently watch tutorials, documentaries, reviews, educational videos, and other long-form content, your recommendations may become more aligned with those interests.
Use the Search Function
Instead of endlessly scrolling through the homepage, search for exactly what you want.
For example, instead of browsing YouTube randomly, search for:
- Beginner photography tutorial
- Laptop review
- English learning course
- Fitness tutorial
- Programming lesson
- Smartphone comparison
This approach can make your viewing more intentional.
Use Playlists
Creating playlists is another good way to avoid unnecessary scrolling.
You can create separate playlists for education, entertainment, technology, music, fitness, or any other topic you regularly watch.
Use Watch Later
When you find a useful long-form video, add it to Watch Later. This gives you a list of videos you have intentionally selected instead of relying entirely on recommendations.
Are YouTube Shorts Bad for You?
Not necessarily. Shorts can be useful for discovering creators, learning quick tips, finding news updates, and enjoying entertainment.
The problem is usually not Shorts themselves but how they are consumed.
For some people, short videos provide useful information in a convenient format. For others, constant scrolling can become distracting.
The best approach depends on your personal viewing habits. If Shorts are interfering with your productivity, reducing them may be worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I disable YouTube Shorts completely?
YouTube does not generally offer a universal setting that permanently disables every Short across the platform. You can instead use options such as Not interested, reduce Shorts recommendations when the option is available, and avoid the Shorts section.
Can I remove YouTube Shorts from my phone?
You may be able to reduce their appearance, but completely removing Shorts from the official YouTube mobile app is not guaranteed. The available controls depend on the current version of the app.
Can I turn off Shorts on Android?
There is no universal Android setting that permanently disables YouTube Shorts. You can reduce recommendations through YouTube’s available feedback controls and avoid the Shorts feed.
Can I turn off YouTube Shorts on iPhone?
The same general approach applies to iPhone. Use recommendation controls such as Not interested when available and focus on Search, Subscriptions, and other areas of YouTube.
Why do YouTube Shorts keep appearing?
YouTube recommendations are influenced by your activity and viewing behavior. Shorts may continue appearing because they are an integrated part of YouTube’s platform and recommendation system.
Does clicking “Not interested” remove all Shorts?
No. Not interested is a recommendation signal rather than a permanent Shorts-blocking feature. It can help reduce unwanted recommendations but does not guarantee that all Shorts will disappear.
Are third-party YouTube Shorts blockers safe?
Safety depends on the specific software, developer, permissions, and distribution source. Be cautious with unofficial extensions and modified YouTube applications, especially those requesting unnecessary access to your account or browsing information.
Final Thoughts
If you have been searching for “how can I disable YouTube Shorts,” the main thing to know is that there may not be a single button that permanently removes Shorts from YouTube.
However, you can still take control of your viewing experience. Start by selecting Not interested on unwanted recommendations, use any available option to show fewer Shorts, avoid the dedicated Shorts feed, and rely more on Search, Subscriptions, playlists, and Watch Later.
For Android, iPhone, and desktop users, the exact interface can change over time, so some controls may look different from the steps described above. YouTube regularly updates its features and recommendation system.
Ultimately, the best way to reduce Shorts is to make your YouTube usage intentional. Rather than endlessly scrolling through recommendations, decide what you want to watch and use YouTube’s search and organization features to find it. This can make the platform less distracting while still giving you access to the long-form videos and creators you enjoy.