Yes, you can block YouTube Shorts, but the method depends on which device you use and how much control you want

YouTube Shorts are short vertical videos that appear in a dedicated feed on the YouTube app and website. If you find them distracting or simply prefer not to see them, you have several options — though none will completely hide Shorts from every corner of YouTube. On phones, you can use third-party apps or browser extensions. On computers, browser extensions work best. YouTube itself does not offer a built-in toggle to turn off Shorts entirely, so blocking them requires either changing your settings or using tools outside the YouTube app.

The approach you choose depends on what bothers you most: whether Shorts appear in your main feed, whether you want to block them across all your devices, or whether you are willing to use additional software. Some methods are easier but less complete; others require more setup but work more thoroughly.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube does not have an official setting to disable Shorts, so blocking them requires browser extensions, third-party apps, or changing how you use YouTube.
  • On Android and iPhone, apps like NewPipe and Invidious let you watch YouTube without seeing Shorts at all, but they do not include all YouTube features.
  • On computers, browser extensions like Unhook and Return YouTube Dislike can hide Shorts from your feed and recommendations.
  • Turning off YouTube's autoplay feature and avoiding the Shorts tab reduces exposure but does not completely block them.
  • If you use YouTube Kids, Shorts are already disabled by default.

Blocking Shorts on Android phones

The simplest approach on Android is to use NewPipe, a free open-source app that plays YouTube videos without the official YouTube app. NewPipe does not include a Shorts feed at all — you see only traditional videos. You download it from F-Droid (a repository of open-source Android apps) rather than the Google Play Store. The trade-off is that NewPipe lacks some features: you cannot sign into your YouTube account to see your subscriptions or watch history, though you can subscribe to channels within the app itself.

Another option is Invidious, which is a privacy-focused YouTube front-end you access through a web browser or dedicated app. Like NewPipe, Invidious does not show Shorts. You can use it on any Android phone with a web browser, and some Invidious instances let you create accounts. The downside is that Invidious relies on community-run servers, so performance varies depending which instance you use.

If you want to keep using the official YouTube app but reduce Shorts in your feed, go to Settings > General and turn off Autoplay. This stops videos from playing automatically and makes the app feel less pushy overall. You can also avoid tapping the Shorts tab at the bottom of the app — if you do not visit it, Shorts will not clog your main feed as much.

Blocking Shorts on iPhones

iPhone users have fewer native options because Apple's App Store restrictions make it harder to distribute alternative YouTube apps. Invidious works on iPhone through a web browser or through third-party apps like Yattee, which wraps Invidious in an app-like interface. Both approaches let you watch YouTube without Shorts appearing.

If you prefer the official YouTube app, the same settings apply: go to Settings > General and disable Autoplay. You can also remove the Shorts tab from your home screen by tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, selecting "Customize," and toggling off the Shorts tab. This does not block Shorts entirely, but it removes the dedicated feed and makes them less visible.

A third option is to use Safari or another browser and visit YouTube through the web version. The mobile web version of YouTube shows fewer Shorts than the app, though they still appear in recommendations. You can bookmark it to your home screen so it feels like an app.

Blocking Shorts on Windows and Mac computers

Browser extensions are the most effective way to block Shorts on a computer. Unhook is a free extension for Chrome and Firefox that lets you hide Shorts, recommendations, comments, and other YouTube elements you find distracting. You install it from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons, then click the extension icon and toggle off "Shorts" under the YouTube section. The changes take effect immediately.

Return YouTube Dislike is another Chrome and Firefox extension that restores the dislike count on videos and can also hide Shorts from your feed. Install it the same way, then go to its settings and enable the option to hide Shorts. Both extensions work on Windows and Mac without any difference in how they function.

If you use Safari on Mac, fewer extensions are available, but you can still use Invidious through a web browser. Alternatively, you can use the YouTube website in Safari and rely on the web version's slightly lower Shorts visibility compared to the app.

Understanding what these methods actually block

It is important to know what each method does and does not do. NewPipe and Invidious remove Shorts completely because they do not include that feature at all — you will never see them. Browser extensions like Unhook hide Shorts from your feed and recommendations, but if you search for a specific creator or topic, Shorts may still appear in search results. They also do not block Shorts on other people's channels or in embedded YouTube players on other websites.

Turning off Autoplay and avoiding the Shorts tab reduces how often you encounter Shorts, but does not block them. If you click on a creator's channel, you might still see their Shorts. These methods are about reducing exposure rather than complete blocking. Understanding this difference helps you choose the right approach for your situation.

Why YouTube does not offer an official block option

YouTube treats Shorts as a core feature of the platform, similar to how TikTok or Instagram Reels work. The company has no incentive to let users turn them off entirely because Shorts drive engagement and watch time. YouTube makes money from ads, and Shorts generate ad impressions. An official "disable Shorts" button would reduce that revenue, so it does not exist.

This is why blocking Shorts requires workarounds — you are working against YouTube's design, not with it. The methods that work best (NewPipe, Invidious, browser extensions) are all third-party tools that YouTube does not control or endorse. Knowing this explains why no perfect solution exists within YouTube itself.

Special case: YouTube Kids

If you are setting up YouTube for a child, YouTube Kids is a separate app that does not include Shorts at all. It is designed for younger viewers and includes parental controls. You can set screen time limits, restrict content by age, and approve videos before your child watches them.

Shorts are disabled by default in YouTube Kids, so if your goal is to keep a child away from Shorts, this is the simplest solution. The app also filters out content that may not be appropriate for younger audiences, which is a separate benefit from blocking Shorts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will YouTube ever add an official way to disable Shorts?

It is unlikely. YouTube benefits financially from Shorts because they increase watch time and ad impressions. The company has shown no interest in letting users turn off major features. If blocking Shorts matters to you, third-party tools are your most reliable option.

Do browser extensions work on YouTube's mobile website?

Extensions work on the mobile web version of YouTube in Firefox (which supports extensions on mobile) but not in Chrome on mobile. If you use Chrome on a phone, you would need to switch to Firefox or use an alternative app like NewPipe or Invidious instead.

Can I block Shorts on YouTube while still signing into my account?

Browser extensions let you stay signed in while hiding Shorts. NewPipe and Invidious do not require sign-in to work, though some Invidious instances offer optional accounts. If you need your subscriptions and watch history, a browser extension is your best choice.

Will blocking Shorts affect my YouTube recommendations?

Browser extensions hide Shorts from your feed but do not change YouTube's recommendation algorithm. You will still see regular video recommendations. If you use NewPipe or Invidious, recommendations work differently because those apps do not track your viewing history the way YouTube does.

Is it safe to use NewPipe or Invidious?

Both are open-source projects maintained by volunteers, and the code is publicly available for anyone to review. NewPipe is widely used and considered safe. Invidious depends on which server instance you use — some are more reliable than others. Neither app is affiliated with YouTube or Google, so they do not have access to your YouTube account or password unless you choose to sign in on Invidious.