YouTube Shorts can be disabled on most devices, but the method depends on whether you use the YouTube app, the website, or a third-party tool
YouTube does not offer a single "disable Shorts" setting that removes the feature entirely from your account. Instead, you can hide Shorts from your feed, remove the Shorts tab from navigation, or use browser extensions and app modifications to block them. The approach that works best depends on what device you use and how thoroughly you want to remove Shorts from your viewing experience.
On the official YouTube app and website, you can hide Shorts from your home feed and remove the dedicated Shorts tab — but Shorts may still appear mixed into your regular recommendations. If you want a more complete block, third-party tools like browser extensions or modified YouTube apps offer stronger filtering, though these carry trade-offs in terms of maintenance and compatibility.
Key Takeaways
- The YouTube app and website let you hide Shorts from your home feed and remove the Shorts tab, but Shorts may still surface in recommendations.
- Browser extensions like Return YouTube Dislike or uBlock Origin can block Shorts more completely on desktop, though they require manual installation and updates.
- On mobile, third-party YouTube clients like NewPipe or Vanced (now discontinued) historically offered Shorts removal, but official app options are limited.
- Hiding Shorts through YouTube's built-in settings is the safest method and does not risk your account, but it is not a permanent block.
- YouTube may re-enable Shorts or change how they appear in your feed over time, so you may need to adjust your settings periodically.
Hiding Shorts from your YouTube home feed
On both the YouTube app and website, you can remove Shorts from your home feed by tapping or clicking the three-dot menu next to a Shorts video and selecting "Don't recommend channel" or "Not interested." Doing this repeatedly trains YouTube's algorithm to show you fewer Shorts, though it does not block them entirely.
A faster method is to remove the Shorts tab from your navigation. On the YouTube app, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to Settings, select Notifications, and look for options related to feed customization. On the website, you can right-click or long-press the Shorts tab at the top of the page and select "Remove" if that option appears. The exact steps vary by device and YouTube's current interface.
This approach is reversible and safe — it does not affect your account or subscriptions. However, Shorts may still appear mixed into your regular video recommendations, and YouTube may re-add the Shorts tab to your navigation in future updates.
Using browser extensions to block Shorts on desktop
Browser extensions like uBlock Origin or Return YouTube Dislike can filter out Shorts more aggressively on desktop. uBlock Origin is a general ad and content blocker that advanced users can configure to hide Shorts elements. Return YouTube Dislike, which restores the YouTube dislike count, also includes an option to hide Shorts from your feed.
To use Return YouTube Dislike, install the extension from your browser's store, visit YouTube, and look for a settings icon in the extension menu. Toggle "Hide Shorts" on. For uBlock Origin, you will need to add custom filter rules, which requires some technical knowledge — the uBlock Origin community maintains filter lists specifically for hiding YouTube Shorts.
Browser extensions work only on the device and browser where you install them. If you switch to a different browser or computer, you will need to reinstall the extension. Extensions also depend on the developer maintaining them; if YouTube changes its page structure, the extension may stop working until the developer updates it.
Third-party YouTube apps and their limitations
Apps like NewPipe (available on F-Droid and GitHub) and the now-discontinued YouTube Vanced historically offered the ability to disable Shorts entirely. NewPipe, an open-source YouTube client, does not display Shorts at all and does not require a Google account to use.
The trade-off is that third-party apps do not support all YouTube features. NewPipe, for example, does not support live streams, YouTube Music, or account sign-in. These apps also depend on volunteers to maintain them, and YouTube occasionally changes its systems in ways that break third-party access temporarily. YouTube Vanced, which was more feature-complete, shut down in 2022 after a cease-and-desist letter from Google.
If you choose to use a third-party app, download it only from official sources like F-Droid or the developer's GitHub page, not from random app stores. Be aware that using unofficial YouTube clients violates YouTube's terms of service, though enforcement is inconsistent.
What happens when YouTube updates or changes
YouTube regularly updates its interface and recommendation algorithm. When that happens, Shorts may reappear in your feed even if you previously hid them, or the steps to remove them may change. Browser extensions and third-party apps may break temporarily or permanently if YouTube modifies how Shorts are delivered.
If you rely on a browser extension or third-party app, check periodically whether it still works and whether the developer has released updates. If Shorts reappear after a YouTube update, you may need to repeat the hiding process or reconfigure your extension settings.
Comparing your options
| Method | How complete | Devices | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide from feed (built-in) | Partial — Shorts may still appear in recommendations | All (app and website) | Low — may need to repeat after YouTube updates |
| Browser extension | More complete on desktop | Desktop only | Medium — depends on developer updates |
| Third-party app (NewPipe) | Complete — no Shorts at all | Mobile only | Medium to high — fewer features, occasional breakage |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I permanently disable Shorts on my YouTube account?
No. YouTube does not offer a permanent account-level setting to disable Shorts. You can hide them from your feed and remove the Shorts tab, but YouTube may re-enable these features in updates. Third-party apps like NewPipe block Shorts more completely, but they work only on the device where you install them.
Will hiding Shorts affect my subscriptions or watch history?
No. Hiding Shorts or removing the Shorts tab does not change your subscriptions, watch history, or any other part of your account. The changes are purely visual and affect only what appears in your feed.
Do browser extensions work on mobile YouTube?
Browser extensions work on mobile only if you use a desktop browser on your phone (like Firefox on Android). The official YouTube app does not support extensions. For mobile, your options are limited to YouTube's built-in hide settings or switching to a third-party app like NewPipe.
What happens if YouTube detects I am using a third-party app?
YouTube's terms of service prohibit third-party clients, but enforcement is inconsistent. Some users report account restrictions or temporary blocks, while others use third-party apps without issue. There is no may provide of safety, so weigh the risk against your preference for Shorts removal.
If I hide Shorts, will they stop appearing in my recommendations?
Hiding individual Shorts and removing the Shorts tab will reduce how often they appear, but YouTube may still recommend Shorts mixed into your regular feed. The built-in method is not a complete block. Browser extensions and third-party apps offer stronger filtering.