How to Disable YouTube Shorts: Step-by-Step Guide
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YouTube Shorts are short-form videos meant to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels. But not everyone enjoys them. If you’re tired of vertical videos flooding your YouTube feed and want a cleaner browsing experience, this step-by-step guide will show you how to disable YouTube Shorts on both mobile and desktop—easily, effectively, and without any jargon.
Why Do People Want to Disable YouTube Shorts?
Here are the top reasons users dislike Shorts:
- Distraction: Endless scroll wastes time.
- Low content quality: Often less informative or repetitive.
- Mobile-only design: Vertical videos don’t work well on desktops.
- Unwanted autoplay: Shorts can auto-play, disrupting browsing.
- Limited control: YouTube offers no official disable switch (yet).
How to Disable YouTube Shorts on Mobile (Android/iOS)
Since YouTube does not have a built-in “disable Shorts” feature, use these effective workarounds:
1. Switch to YouTube Web via Browser
- Open your mobile browser.
- Visit www.youtube.com.
- Tap on the three-dot menu > “Desktop site”.
- Use YouTube without Shorts appearing in your feed.
2. Use Older YouTube App Version (Android only)
⚠️ Note: Not recommended unless you know how to manage APK files.
- Uninstall your current YouTube app.
- Visit a trusted APK site (e.g., APKMirror).
- Download YouTube v14.12.56 or earlier (before Shorts were introduced).
- Disable auto-updates in Play Store:
- Go to Play Store > YouTube > Tap the 3 dots > Uncheck Enable auto-update.
3. Use YouTube Vanced (Android only)
YouTube Vanced lets you customize your YouTube interface:
- Download from vancedapp.com.
- Install Vanced + MicroG.
- Navigate to Settings > Layout Settings > Disable Shorts.
✅ Note-worthy: YouTube Vanced also disables ads and enables background play.
4. Mark Shorts as “Not Interested”
- Tap on the 3-dot menu of any Shorts video.
- Select “Not Interested” or “Don’t recommend channel”.
- Repeating this multiple times reduces Shorts recommendations.
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How to Disable YouTube Shorts on Desktop
Here are the simplest tricks to stop Shorts from showing on YouTube Web:
1. Use Browser Extensions (Chrome/Firefox)
| Extension Name | Browser | Function |
|---|---|---|
| uBlock Origin | Chrome, Firefox | Blocks Shorts section with a custom filter |
| Hide Shorts for YouTube | Chrome | Removes Shorts shelf |
| Unhook YouTube | Chrome | Hides Shorts, comments, and suggestions |
Example uBlock Filter:
plaintextCopyEditwww.youtube.com##ytd-rich-shelf-renderer:has(span:contains(Shorts)) 2. Customize YouTube Feed via Watch History
- Go to YouTube History.
- Remove Shorts videos from history.
- It helps YouTube algorithm show fewer Shorts.
3. Use YouTube Premium + Third-party Apps
- With YouTube Premium, combine features with third-party apps like NewPipe or YouTube ReVanced to disable Shorts.
ALSO READ | How to Remove Shorts from YouTube: A Step-by-Step Guide (2025)
Is There an Official Way to Disable Shorts?
As of 2025, YouTube has not added a direct “disable Shorts” option in settings. However, user feedback is increasing, and platforms may respond soon.
ALSO READ | YouTube Shorts Time Limit in 2025: All You Need to Know About Time Cap
Summary Table: Ways to Disable YouTube Shorts
| Method | Device | Difficulty | Permanent? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use Browser Version | Mobile | Easy | ✅ |
| Install Older App | Android | Medium | ⚠️ No updates |
| Use YouTube Vanced | Android | Medium | ✅ |
| Use Chrome Extensions | Desktop | Easy | ✅ |
| Mark Shorts as Not Interested | All | Easy | ❌ Temporary |
| Clear Watch History | All | Easy | ❌ Temporary |
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Conclusion
Although YouTube doesn’t let you turn off Shorts directly, these smart and safe workarounds help you take back control of your feed. Whether you’re a digital minimalist or just want fewer distractions, you now know how to disable YouTube Shorts across devices. Stay updated—YouTube may soon give users more control, and we’ll update this guide accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There is no official setting, but using browser extensions or YouTube Vanced helps you disable it permanently.
No, the YouTube app does not have a toggle to turn off Shorts.
Yes, if downloaded from the official site, it is generally safe. However, it’s a third-party app, so caution is advised.
Not officially. But tools like Unhook or uBlock Origin can hide it visually.
No, modifying your experience using extensions or older apps doesn’t violate terms.
You may be using an older version or are accessing YouTube through desktop view on a browser.
Yes, watching Shorts regularly tells the algorithm to show more of them.
Not directly. Premium removes ads but doesn’t give control over Shorts.
Tap the 3-dot menu on any video and choose “Report” to alert YouTube
Yes—for creators, Shorts offer high visibility. But for viewers, it depends on content preferences.
