Introduction
YouTube Shorts is a feature that allows users to watch short, vertical videos – often under 60 seconds. While this can be entertaining, many users find it disruptive or irrelevant to their YouTube experience. If you’re among them, you might be wondering how to turn off YouTube Shorts completely.
Although YouTube hasn’t provided a single-button solution to disable Shorts, there are workarounds to limit or avoid them. In this detailed blog post, we’ll show you different methods to turn off or hide YouTube Shorts on mobile devices (Android & iOS) and desktop.
Before turning of lets check what are the
Advantages of YouTube Shorts
1. Quick and Easy to Create
YouTube Shorts can be recorded directly from your smartphone using the YouTube app. You don’t need fancy equipment or editing tools.
2. High Audience Reach
Since Shorts are shown in a dedicated section of the YouTube app, they get more visibility. Even new creators can go viral.
3. Boosts Channel Growth
Creating Shorts regularly can help increase your subscriber count and overall channel engagement. Many viewers discover channels through Shorts.
4. Perfect for Mobile Users
Shorts are made for vertical viewing, making them ideal for people watching on their phones.
5. Great for Sharing Tips & Trends
You can use Shorts to share quick tips, news, fun facts, behind-the-scenes, or trending topics — all in under a minute.
6. Monetization Opportunity
YouTube has introduced the YouTube Shorts Fund and is also offering ad revenue sharing, giving creators a chance to earn money from their short videos.
7. Keeps Viewers Engaged
With fast, snappy content, Shorts keep people interested and watching more — which improves your overall channel watch time.
8. Chance to Experiment
You can test different types of content (like comedy, tutorials, reviews, etc.) quickly and easily with Shorts
you tube shorts
Why You Might Want to Disable YouTube Shorts
Here are a few reasons why users prefer to turn off Shorts:
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It clutters the homepage.
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It consumes more data with auto-playing.
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It’s not aligned with the viewer’s preference for long-form content.
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The content is repetitive or irrelevant.
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How to Turn Off YouTube Shorts on Android
Method 1: Use the “Not Interested” Option
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Open the YouTube app on your Android device.
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Scroll down to the Shorts section.
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Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) next to a Short video.
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Select “Not interested”.
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Repeat this for a few Shorts – YouTube will start hiding the section.
Method 2: Downgrade the YouTube App
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Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube.
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Tap Uninstall updates to revert to an older version.
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The Shorts feature may disappear as it’s not supported in earlier versions.
Note: You’ll need to disable auto-updates from the Play Store to keep Shorts off.
How to Turn Off YouTube Shorts on iPhone (iOS)
Method 1: Mark Shorts as “Not Interested”
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Open the YouTube app.
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Tap the three-dot menu near any Short.
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Select “Not Interested”.
Method 2: Use YouTube Web Version in Safari
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Open Safari browser.
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Go to https://www.youtube.com.
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Use the desktop version of the site (tap Aa > Request Desktop Website).
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Shorts are less prominent here compared to the app.
How to Turn Off YouTube Shorts on Desktop
Method 1: Use Browser Extensions
Install a browser extension like:
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uBlock Origin
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Enhancer for YouTube
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Remove YouTube Shorts
These can hide the Shorts section using custom filters.
Method 2: Use the “Not Interested” Feedback
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Open YouTube in your browser.
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Scroll to the Shorts section.
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Click on the three-dot menu > “Not Interested” repeatedly.
Bonus Tip: Clear Viewing History for Better Recommendations
Sometimes Shorts show up because of your watch history. To reduce them:
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Go to YouTube Settings.
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Tap History & Privacy.
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Clear Watch history.
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Pause Watch history.
FAQs
Q1. Can I permanently disable YouTube Shorts?
No, there is no official option to permanently disable Shorts. However, you can minimize their appearance using the above tricks.
Q2. Will downgrading the YouTube app affect performance?
Yes, older versions may lack security patches or new features, so proceed with caution.
Q3. Is there any app that disables Shorts completely?
No verified third-party app disables Shorts fully. Extensions work only on desktop browsers.
Q4. Why are Shorts still showing even after marking “Not Interested”?
YouTube’s algorithm takes time to adapt. Keep giving feedback and clear your watch history.
Conclusion
While YouTube Shorts are designed for quick entertainment, they’re not for everyone. Whether you’re looking to regain control of your feed, save data, or just focus on long-form content, there are multiple ways to reduce or disable Shorts from your viewing experience.
Though there’s no official “turn off Shorts” switch, using the methods outlined above—such as feedback options, browser extensions, and older app versions—can help you take back your YouTube homepage.
By staying consistent and patient, you can train YouTube to match your preferences better. Hopefully, this guide made your life easier. Happy YouTubing!