How to Disable YouTube Shorts in 2026 (Turn Off or Remove)

Can You Completely Disable YouTube Shorts?

Not entirely — YouTube doesn't offer a toggle to permanently turn off Shorts in the app. There is no setting in YouTube or Google Account preferences that disables the Shorts shelf, tab, or player.

However, there are several methods to significantly reduce or completely remove Shorts from your feed — depending on whether you're on mobile or desktop.

Here's every method that works in 2026, ranked by effectiveness.

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Method 1: Use a Browser Extension on Desktop (Most Effective)

For YouTube on desktop (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), browser extensions can completely hide all Shorts from the interface.

Hide YouTube Shorts extension

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store (or Firefox Add-ons)
2. Search for "Hide YouTube Shorts"
3. Click Add to Chrome (or Add to Firefox)
4. Reload YouTube

The extension removes:

• The Shorts shelf on the homepage
• Shorts from search results
• The Shorts tab in the sidebar
• Shorts recommendations in the feed

This is the most effective solution for desktop users — Shorts disappear completely from the YouTube interface.

uBlock Origin custom filter

If you already use uBlock Origin (a popular ad blocker):

1. Click the uBlock Origin icon → Dashboard
2. Go to the My Filters tab
3. Add these lines:

youtube.com##ytd-rich-section-renderer:has(#title:has-text(Shorts))
youtube.com##ytd-reel-shelf-renderer
youtube.com##ytd-mini-guide-entry-renderer:has-text(Shorts)
youtube.com##ytd-guide-entry-renderer:has-text(Shorts)
youtube.com##ytd-browse[page-subtype="shorts"]

1. Click Apply changes
2. Reload YouTube

This hides the Shorts shelf on the homepage, the Shorts sidebar link, and Shorts in search results.

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Method 2: Tell YouTube "Not Interested" (Mobile & Desktop)

The most direct native option — works on both iPhone and Android:

1. Open the YouTube app
2. Find a Short in your feed or the Shorts shelf
3. Tap the three dots (⋮) next to the Short
4. Tap Not interested
5. Optionally tap Tell us why and select a reason

Repeat this for every Short that appears. Over time, YouTube's algorithm learns you don't want Shorts and reduces them in your recommendations.

How long does this take?

This method is gradual. Expect to see a noticeable reduction after doing this consistently for 1-2 weeks. It won't eliminate Shorts entirely — the Shorts shelf and tab still appear — but the Shorts shown to you will decrease.

For faster results, also tap Don't recommend channel on Shorts creators you don't want to see.

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Method 3: Dismiss the Shorts Shelf on Homepage

On both the YouTube app and website, there's a dedicated "Shorts" shelf showing a row of Short videos on the homepage.

On mobile (iPhone & Android):

1. Scroll to the Shorts shelf on your homepage
2. Tap the X button on the shelf header (if visible)
3. Or tap Not interested if prompted

On desktop:

1. Find the Shorts shelf on the YouTube homepage
2. Click the X or three-dot menu on the shelf
3. Select Not interested

This temporarily removes the shelf, but it typically reappears after a few hours or the next time you open YouTube. Use it in combination with Method 2 for better results.

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Method 4: Use YouTube in a Mobile Browser (iPhone & Android)

Instead of the YouTube app, you can watch YouTube in your phone's browser to avoid Shorts:

1. Open Safari (iPhone) or Chrome (Android)
2. Go to youtube.com
3. Tap the three dots in your browser → Request Desktop Site (optional, for full desktop layout)

The mobile browser version of YouTube has a much smaller Shorts presence than the app. The dedicated Shorts tab doesn't exist in the browser, and the Shorts shelf is less prominent.

Bonus: You can add youtube.com to your home screen as a shortcut so it behaves like an app but runs in the browser.

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Method 5: Turn Off Shorts Notifications

If your main annoyance is Shorts notifications, you can disable those specifically:

On mobile:

1. Open the YouTube app
2. Tap your profile picture → Settings
3. Tap Notifications
4. Toggle off Recommended videos and Shorts updates

On desktop:

1. Click your profile picture → Settings
2. Click Notifications in the left menu
3. Under "Your preferences," uncheck Recommended videos

This doesn't remove Shorts from the feed but stops YouTube from actively pushing them via notifications.

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Method 6: Use YouTube's Restricted Mode

YouTube's Restricted Mode filters out content that may be inappropriate. While not designed to disable Shorts specifically, it significantly reduces the variety of Shorts shown:

1. Tap your profile picture → Settings
2. Tap General
3. Toggle on Restricted Mode

Note: this also filters regular videos, so it's best suited if you're setting up YouTube for a child or shared device.

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Method 7: Subscribe and Use the Subscriptions Feed

The Subscriptions tab shows only videos from channels you follow — and it tends to show far fewer Shorts than the Home feed:

1. Open YouTube
2. Tap the Subscriptions tab at the bottom
3. Use this as your primary way to browse YouTube

The Subscriptions feed shows uploads in chronological order from your subscribed channels. If you're only subscribed to channels that don't make Shorts, you won't see any.

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How to Stop YouTube Shorts from Autoplaying

If your issue is specifically that Shorts autoplay in an endless vertical scroll:

To exit the Shorts player:

• On iPhone/Android: Swipe right (or tap the back arrow) to exit the Shorts player and return to the regular feed
• On desktop: Click the back button or press Escape

To stop individual Shorts channels:

1. Open a Short
2. Tap the three dots (⋮)
3. Tap Don't recommend channel

To reduce autoplay suggestions:

1. Go to Settings → Autoplay
2. Toggle off Autoplay next video

Note: this setting primarily affects regular videos. The Shorts player always auto-scrolls to the next Short by design.

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Why YouTube Doesn't Let You Fully Disable Shorts

YouTube Shorts generate significant ad revenue and engagement for the platform. Shorts are YouTube's primary response to TikTok and Instagram Reels — they account for over 70 billion daily views globally. If you're a creator, Shorts can actually be a powerful growth tool — check our guide on how to make YouTube Shorts and the best hashtags to use.

Providing a "disable Shorts" button would undermine that business strategy. YouTube actively promotes Shorts through:

• A dedicated Shorts tab in the app
• Shorts shelves on the homepage
• Shorts mixed into search results
• Shorts recommendations in notifications

This is unlikely to change. The browser extension approach remains the only truly complete solution for desktop users.

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Can You Remove Shorts from YouTube on iPhone?

There is no way to fully remove Shorts from the YouTube app on iPhone. Apple doesn't allow browser extensions in the YouTube app, and YouTube provides no native setting to disable Shorts.

Your best options on iPhone:

1. Use the "Not interested" feedback consistently (Method 2)
2. Watch YouTube in Safari instead of the app (Method 4)
3. Use the Subscriptions tab instead of Home (Method 7)

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Can You Remove Shorts from YouTube on Android?

Android users have the same limitations as iPhone users within the official YouTube app. However, Android has one additional option:

YouTube ReVanced (third-party modified app) offers a Shorts removal feature. Note that modified apps are unofficial, may violate YouTube's Terms of Service, and require sideloading. We mention it for awareness but recommend sticking with official methods.

Within the official app, use the same methods as iPhone: "Not interested" feedback, browser viewing, and the Subscriptions tab.

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Summary: Every Method Ranked

For desktop users: Install the "Hide YouTube Shorts" extension — it works immediately and removes Shorts entirely.

For mobile users: The most effective approach is combining "Not interested" feedback with using the Subscriptions tab. For the best experience, use YouTube in your mobile browser instead of the app.

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FAQ

Does YouTube Premium remove Shorts?

No. YouTube Premium removes ads and enables background play, but it does not remove or disable Shorts. The Shorts shelf, tab, and player are identical for Premium and free users. If you're curious about the format, see our guide on how long YouTube Shorts can be.

Will YouTube ever add an option to disable Shorts?

There's no indication from YouTube that this feature is planned. Given that Shorts drive significant engagement and ad revenue, it's unlikely YouTube will offer a native disable option.

Do these methods affect my YouTube recommendations?

Yes — the "Not interested" feedback directly trains your recommendation algorithm. Over time, you'll see fewer Shorts and more long-form content in your Home feed. Browser extensions don't affect your recommendations; they simply hide Shorts from the interface.