You can't fully disable Reels on Instagram, but you can remove them from your feed and the Explore page
Instagram doesn't offer a setting to turn off Reels entirely. However, you can hide Reels from appearing in your main feed and stop them from showing up when you browse Explore. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use iPhone, Android, or the web version. What you're actually doing is telling Instagram's algorithm to deprioritize Reels in the content it shows you — they won't disappear completely, but they'll become much less visible.
The process takes about two minutes and involves adjusting your feed preferences. If you change your mind later, you can reverse these settings just as easily.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram doesn't have an off switch for Reels, but you can hide them from your feed and Explore page through settings.
- On iPhone and Android, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings and Privacy, then Feeds and Stories to adjust what content appears.
- You can also tap and hold any Reel in your feed and select "See fewer posts like this" to train the algorithm over time.
- The web version of Instagram has limited Reel-hiding options, so mobile apps give you more control.
- These changes only affect what you see — they don't change what Instagram recommends to other users.
How to hide Reels on iPhone
Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right corner of your profile screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy.
From the Settings menu, tap Feeds and Stories. You'll see options for what appears in your feed. Look for the toggle next to Reels and make sure it's turned off (the toggle should be gray, not blue). This removes Reels from your main feed. If you also want to hide them from Explore, look for any option related to recommendations or suggested content and adjust those settings as well.
Close the Settings app and return to your feed. Reels should no longer appear in your main timeline. If you still see them occasionally, Instagram may be testing new content with you — wait a few hours and check again.
How to hide Reels on Android
The process on Android is nearly identical to iPhone. Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy.
Select Feeds and Stories from the menu. Find the toggle next to Reels and turn it off. The toggle will turn gray when it's disabled. This removes Reels from your feed. Return to your home screen and refresh by pulling down on your feed — you should see Reels have disappeared from your timeline.
If Reels still appear after you've turned off the toggle, close the Instagram app completely and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to register the change.
Using "See fewer posts like this" to reduce Reels over time
Even after disabling Reels in settings, you might occasionally see one slip through. When that happens, tap and hold the Reel in your feed. A menu will pop up with several options. Select See fewer posts like this. This tells Instagram's algorithm that you don't want to see similar content, and it will gradually show you fewer Reels.
You can repeat this action every time a Reel appears. Over time, Instagram learns your preferences and stops recommending them. This method works alongside the settings toggle — they reinforce each other.
What to do if Reels still appear after disabling them
Instagram sometimes overrides user preferences and shows Reels anyway, especially if you haven't used the app in a while or if Instagram is testing new features. If Reels keep appearing after you've disabled them, try these steps:
- Close Instagram completely (don't just minimize it) and reopen it after 30 seconds.
- Go back to Settings and privacy > Feeds and Stories and confirm the Reels toggle is still off.
- Clear your Instagram cache. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find Instagram, and tap Offload App. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear Cache.
- If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall Instagram from the App Store or Google Play Store.
If Reels continue to appear after all these steps, Instagram may be forcing them into your feed as part of a test. In that case, your only option is to wait — Instagram typically phases out forced content after a few weeks.
Hiding Reels on Instagram's web version
The web version of Instagram has fewer customization options than the mobile app. You cannot disable Reels through settings on the desktop site. However, you can still use the "See fewer posts like this" method: hover over a Reel, click the three dots in the top right corner of the post, and select See fewer posts like this.
If you want full control over hiding Reels, use the mobile app instead. The web version is designed to show you more promotional content, including Reels, so Instagram limits your ability to hide them there.
Why Instagram makes Reels hard to disable
Instagram prioritizes Reels because they keep people on the app longer and generate more advertising revenue. The company has invested heavily in competing with TikTok, so Reels are central to Instagram's business model. This is why there's no simple "turn off Reels" button — Instagram wants you to see them, even if you don't want to.
The settings you adjust are really preferences, not absolute blocks. Instagram reserves the right to override them and show you Reels anyway. This is different from blocking a user or muting a specific account, which are permanent until you reverse them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling Reels affect what other people see on my profile?
No. These settings only change what appears in your own feed and Explore page. Other users will still see Reels you've posted, and your followers' Reels will still appear in their feeds. You're only changing your personal viewing experience.
Can I hide Reels but keep Stories visible?
Yes. In Settings and privacy > Feeds and Stories, you can toggle Reels off while leaving Stories toggled on. Each content type has its own toggle, so you control them independently.
What's the difference between disabling Reels and muting someone?
Disabling Reels hides the entire content format from your feed. Muting a specific account hides only that person's posts. If you want to stop seeing Reels from one particular user without hiding all Reels, mute their account instead.
If I turn Reels back on later, will Instagram remember what I liked before?
Yes. Instagram's algorithm tracks your activity even when you have Reels disabled. If you re-enable them, you'll see recommendations based on your past behavior, including any Reels you watched or liked before you turned them off.
Do I need to disable Reels on both my phone and computer?
You only need to adjust settings on your phone. Instagram syncs your preferences across devices, so disabling Reels on iPhone or Android will affect what you see on the web version too. However, the web version has limited options, so make the changes on mobile for best results.