How to remove YouTube Shorts on a phone

Updated November 2026

The YouTube app has no “off” switch for Shorts, and no extension can change the app. These are the options that exist today.

1. Set a Shorts time limit

The YouTube app has a daily limit for the Shorts feed. Open the app settings and look in the time management section for the Shorts limit, then set the smallest value offered. When the limit is reached, the feed stops and shows a reminder.

The limit is easy to dismiss, so it works as a nudge rather than a lock. The names of the menu items change between app versions.

2. Hide the Shorts shelf

On the home tab, open the menu on the Shorts shelf and choose the option to hide it. As on desktop, it returns after about a month, and the Shorts button at the bottom stays.

3. Watch in a browser instead of the app

In a mobile browser YouTube can be filtered. Firefox for Android supports extensions, including content blockers with rules that hide Shorts. On iPhone, Safari supports content-blocker apps from the App Store. This takes some setting up, and you give up the app’s downloads and background play.

What does not work

• Chrome extensions: Chrome on phones does not run them.
• “Not interested” on single videos: it tunes recommendations but does not remove Shorts.

On your computer

On a computer Shorts can be removed completely. Here is how, including the free Smart Block extension. Smart Block works in desktop Chrome only.