How to Disable YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts is everywhere on the platform now. It shows up on your home feed, in your subscriptions, in search results, and as a dedicated tab at the bottom of the app. For years, the only official option was asking YouTube to "show fewer Shorts," which reduced them without removing them. That changed in April 2026. YouTube now lets users set their Shorts time limit to zero minutes, which pulls the format out of the home feed entirely. This guide covers that method plus five others, so you can pick whichever fits your setup.

What YouTube Shorts is and why people want it gone

Shorts are vertical videos up to 60 seconds long. YouTube launched the format in 2021 to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels. Since then, Shorts has become one of the primary ways the YouTube recommendation algorithm surfaces new content to users. The format is built around rapid scrolling: one short ends and the next begins automatically, which makes it structurally more time-consuming than standard video browsing.

The reasons people want Shorts gone vary. Some find the format distracting and prefer long-form content. Others are managing screen time, either their own or a child's. Some creators simply don't want Shorts cluttering their subscription feed when they're looking for channel updates. Whatever the reason, the options below work across all major devices and platforms.

Method 1: The official Time Management method (most complete, 2026)

In April 2026, YouTube released a Time Management update that, for the first time, lets users set the Shorts feed to zero. According to Hello Partner's coverage of the update, setting the limit to 0 minutes removes Shorts from the home feed and replaces the Shorts tab content with a limit notice. This is currently the most thorough official option available.

How to set it up:

1. Open the YouTube app on your phone (Android or iOS).

2. Tap your profile photo in the bottom-right corner.

3. Go to Settings.

4. Select Time Management.

5. Turn on the Shorts feed limit toggle.

6. Drag the slider all the way to 0 minutes.

WHAT HAPPENS;  Once you hit 0 minutes, the Shorts shelf disappears from your home screen and the Shorts tab shows a message saying you've reached your daily limit. The dedicated Shorts tab is still visible in the navigation bar, but it doesn't play content.

The setting is account-level, so it should apply across devices when you're logged in. Like most YouTube preferences, it may reset after major app updates, so it's worth checking after a significant version change.

Method 2: Show fewer Shorts (partial, not a full removal)

If you want to reduce Shorts without fully disabling them:

1. Find any Shorts video card in your feed.

2. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to it.

3. Select "Show fewer Shorts."

LIMITATION; This signals to YouTube's algorithm to deprioritize Shorts in your feed. It does not remove the Shorts tab, and YouTube will still show some Shorts over time. Use Method 1 or the extension methods below if you want a complete removal.

Method 3: Request desktop site on mobile (browser users)

If you watch YouTube through your phone's browser rather than the app, you can switch to the desktop layout to drop the Shorts shelf:

1. Open YouTube in Safari (iOS) or Chrome/Firefox/any browser (Android).

2. Open the browser menu.

3. Tap "Request Desktop Site" or "Desktop Mode."

The Shorts shelf does not appear in the desktop layout. The trade-off is that the desktop interface is not touch-optimized, so navigation is a bit clunkier. This works best if you occasionally want to browse YouTube without Shorts rather than as a daily setup.

Method 4: Browser extensions for desktop Chrome users

The most reliable permanent solution for desktop users. Two extensions in particular stand out:

Unhook

Unhook gives you granular control over your YouTube feed. You can hide Shorts specifically, or combine it with hiding the homepage feed, suggested videos, comments, trending, and more. Each element is toggled independently, so you keep what you want and remove what you don't. The How-To Geek guide on hiding YouTube Shorts recommends Unhook as the most flexible option for desktop users.

YouTube Shorts Block

A more focused extension that targets only Shorts cards across the YouTube interface: the home feed, search results, and channel pages. If you don't need the broader controls Unhook offers, this lighter extension does the job with less overhead.

Both are free and available on the Chrome Web Store. Firefox users can find equivalent options through Mozilla's add-ons directory by searching "YouTube Shorts block."

Method 5: Brave Browser (no extension needed)

Brave's built-in content filtering system removes YouTube Shorts without any additional setup. If you're already using Brave as your primary browser on desktop or mobile, Shorts cards are filtered out automatically. This works on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android versions of Brave.

The advantage over extensions is that Brave's filter applies system-wide in the browser and doesn't require you to manage a separate tool. The trade-off is switching browsers if you're currently on Chrome or Safari.

Method 6: Disabling Shorts for kids via Google Family Link

For parents managing a child's YouTube access through Google Family Link:

1. Open the Family Link app on your phone.

2. Select your child's account profile.

3. Navigate to Controls > Content restrictions > YouTube.

4. Set the Shorts feed limit to 0 minutes.

This applies the restriction at the Google account level. It follows the child's account across devices, so it applies whether they're using a phone, tablet, or shared computer while logged in.

Method comparison at a glance

Note for content creators

Disabling Shorts as a viewer is one thing. As a creator, Shorts is still one of the fastest routes to organic discovery on YouTube. The platform's algorithm actively pushes Shorts to new audiences, which makes it a growth channel worth understanding even if you don't consume Shorts yourself.

If you create Shorts content, tracking their performance matters as much as any other video format. The YouTube subscriber counter tool shows real-time subscriber changes, which often spike after a Shorts video picks up momentum. For creators who want to accelerate early traction on new Shorts before the algorithm kicks in, Shorts view packages are one option to seed initial visibility.

The YouTube money calculator also helps estimate how Shorts views translate to revenue, since Shorts monetization rates differ from standard video ad rates. If you're building toward monetization eligibility, watch hours from long-form content count toward the threshold while Shorts views do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling Shorts affect YouTube search results?

No. Removing Shorts from your home feed and the Shorts shelf does not filter Shorts out of search results. If you search for a topic, YouTube may still show relevant Shorts videos. The Time Management method and browser extensions hide Shorts in the feed, not in search.

Is the zero-minute Time Management setting permanent?

It's persistent but not immune to resets. The setting survives normal app sessions and account switching. After a major YouTube app update, it may revert to default. Check your Time Management settings after significant app version changes. Browser extensions on desktop are more reliably permanent.

Can I disable Shorts on a computer without a Chrome extension?

Yes, but your options are limited. Using the Brave browser removes Shorts without an extension. You can also watch YouTube through the browser in desktop mode on mobile. On Chrome or Firefox without extensions, there's no built-in option to block Shorts on the desktop site.

Will hiding Shorts reduce the number of Shorts recommendations on my home page?

Yes. Using "Show Fewer Shorts" tells the algorithm to deprioritize Shorts in your personal feed over time. Using the Time Management zero-minute method removes the Shorts shelf from the home page entirely rather than just reducing it.

Do I need to disable Shorts separately on each device?

The Time Management method and Family Link settings are account-level and apply across devices when you're logged in. Browser extension settings are browser-specific and need to be set up on each browser. Brave's built-in filter applies to that Brave installation only.

If I disable Shorts, can I still access them if I change my mind?

Yes. Every method listed here is reversible. You can re-enable the Time Management limit, remove the browser extension, switch back to a regular browser, or update Family Link settings at any time.