YouTube does not have a single switch to turn Shorts off. What it does offer, together with a couple of browser tools, gets you close. On your phone you can set the Shorts feed limit to zero minutes; on the website you can hide the Shorts shelf; and on a computer an extension can disable YouTube Shorts everywhere they appear. This guide covers each method and how long its effect lasts.
Ways to limit or hide Shorts compared
| Method | Where | What it does | How long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shorts feed limit set to 0 minutes | YouTube app on Android and iPhone | Pauses the Shorts feed with a prompt | Every day, until you change it |
| “Not interested” on the Shorts shelf | App and website | Hides the shelf on the home feed | About 30 days |
| Browser extension | Chrome or Edge on a computer | Removes Shorts from home, search and channels | Until you turn it off |
Set the Shorts feed limit to zero on your phone
In October 2025 YouTube added a daily time limit for the Shorts feed to its mobile app, and in April 2026 it added a zero-minute option. The setting is part of the app’s time management tools:
- Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture.
- Tap the gear icon to open Settings, then Time management.
- Turn on Shorts feed limit.
- Move the slider to 0 minutes, or pick 15 minutes if you only want to cut down.
When the limit is reached, YouTube shows a prompt that Shorts scrolling is paused for the day. The prompt can be dismissed, so this works best as a nudge rather than a lock. The Shorts tab itself stays visible.
Hide the Shorts shelf on the YouTube website
- Go to youtube.com and sign in.
- Scroll to the Shorts shelf on the home page.
- Click the X or the three-dot menu on the shelf and choose Not interested.
YouTube then hides the shelf for about 30 days, after which it returns and you repeat the step. It does not affect search results, channel pages or the Shorts button in the menu.
Disable YouTube Shorts completely on a computer
For a permanent result on desktop, use an extension. Two well-rated options on the Chrome Web Store (checked September 2026):
- Unhook (about 1 million users): switches off Shorts, recommendations, comments and other parts of YouTube one by one.
- Remove YouTube Shorts (about 300,000 users): does exactly what the name says.
Install one, open its popup and make sure the Shorts option is on, then reload YouTube. Both work in Microsoft Edge too, since Edge can install extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
Should you use a modified YouTube app?
Older guides recommend YouTube Vanced, but Vanced was discontinued in 2022. Its successors and other modified apps break YouTube’s terms of service, can put your Google account at risk, and unofficial downloads are a common source of malware. The official Shorts feed limit is the safer choice on a phone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I disable YouTube Shorts permanently in the app?
Not completely. A zero-minute Shorts feed limit is the closest official option; the Shorts tab stays in place.
Why did Shorts come back after I hid them?
Choosing “Not interested” on the shelf is temporary and lasts about 30 days. Use the feed limit on your phone or an extension on your computer for something longer lasting.
Does the Shorts limit work on the website?
No. It is currently a feature of the YouTube mobile app. On a computer, an extension does the job.
You cannot switch Shorts off with one tap, but a zero-minute limit on your phone and an extension on your computer come close to disabling YouTube Shorts for good. For more ways to tidy up YouTube, see our list of free YouTube extensions.