Shorts are everywhere on YouTube, to the point that you might be sick of them. If you don’t like or watch these videos, you may consider removing them entirely.
Disabling Shorts helps clean up your YouTube feed. But is this even possible? In this blog, we’ll show you how to disable YouTube Shorts on different devices.
Can You Turn Off YouTube Shorts?
YT Shorts have taken the whole platform by storm over the past few years. According to the site itself, this format already reached five trillion views by 2022.
However, if this type of content isn’t your thing, don’t worry. You can still disable Shorts on PC and mobile devices, but this takes some complex workarounds. Even without these, you may simply avoid (or refuse to engage with) the format.
Many of the accepted methods for disabling Shorts are also temporary. After all, YouTube wants its users to make the most of the platform. Never running into a Short is impossible. If you’re careful, you can still enjoy YouTube without watching a single one.
Why Disable YouTube Shorts?
When Shorts earn so many views, it’s worth considering whether to disable them at all. With the right tips, you could even share a viral Short. However, the format isn’t for everyone. Here’s why people learn how to disable Shorts on YouTube:
- Decluttering: YT Shorts are vertical, making them look big and bulky on any device’s UI. Removing Shorts can simply make scrolling through vids much more pleasant.
- Not PC-friendly: Similarly, the vertical format doesn’t fit many PC screens, where Shorts are actively an eyesore. Some extensions let you turn them into “normal” videos.
- Preferences: You might just have no drive or desire to watch short content. If you prefer long-form videos, disabling Shorts lets you take control of your YT experience.
- Attention span: Studies show that short-form videos can affect a person’s attention span. You might avoid YouTube’s Shorts to stop this from happening to you.
- Parental control: Similarly, you might disable Shorts to have control over what your kids watch. These videos could hurt a child’s attention span even more than an adult’s.
- Time: Some users could spend hours watching Shorts due to the format’s auto-scrolling feature. Disabling the whole format could help you avoid distractions on the site.
- Curated experience: The auto-scrolling feature also decides your next video. You might want to focus on videos you already want to watch, especially if you have a backlog.
How To Disable YouTube Shorts on PC
When browsing YouTube’s PC home page, Shorts might add a lot of clutter. Luckily, the site lets you simply remove Shorts for thirty days. On the home page’s Shorts section, simply click the X on the right-hand side.
Doing this doesn’t remove Shorts entirely from your YouTube experience. The YT Shorts tab will remain on the left-hand side menu. You also can’t hide Shorts from your subscriptions this way. They’ll still appear whenever you check for updates from your favorite creators.
To permanently remove Shorts, you’ll need a special browser extension. The Chrome store has many options. You must always check an extension’s reviews and permissions before adding it.
The right extension will remove Shorts from YouTube entirely. Your Subscriptions, Home, and other YT pages will be free of the format.
Removing Shorts From Your Channel
YouTube lets you customize your channel’s layout, including adding or removing sections. For example, if you upload many Shorts, you might want a special Shorts section.
On the other hand, if you’re pivoting toward long-form content, you’ll likely want your channel to reflect this. Here’s how to remove your channel’s Shorts section:
- Click your profile picture in the top right.
- Press YouTube Studio.
- Tap Customization on the left-hand menu.
- Click the Home Tab.
- Press the three dots next to Short Videos.
- Select Remove This Section.
YouTube gives you complete control over what users see when they look at your profile. You can even remove your channel’s Home tab by clicking the toggle on the page. Disabling Shorts helps you focus more on creating and promoting long-form videos.
How To Disable YouTube Shorts on iPhone
You’ll again see Shorts on your home page in the YouTube app. If you don’t use the format very often, it will already be quite far down. Disabling YouTube Shorts on iOS is as simple as clicking the three dots next to the Shorts section. Tap Show Fewer Shorts.
You’ll then see Shorts less often on your YouTube feed. Though this approach isn’t foolproof, it’s still better than the options on other apps. For example, Instagram Reels doesn’t let users limit the format in any way.
Unfortunately, you’ll still see Shorts on your Subscriptions page. You can’t remove these using a browser or app extension. Shorts with good SEO might also appear in your recommendations.
How To Disable YouTube Shorts (Android)
Removing Shorts on Android mostly follows the same path as on iOS devices. The main way to limit this format is to ask it to show fewer Shorts. You’ll again have to click the three dots on your home page’s Shorts section.
However, some sites offer a different solution. You could install an older YouTube APK (Android app file) on your phone. If the older app is pre-Shorts, you can use YouTube without running into these videos.
You can’t guarantee an older APK will work on your phone. The more YouTube changes its app, the less compatible older versions are. Use APKs at your own risk, and always scan the files for viruses and malware first.
Uploading Videos Without Making Them Shorts
YouTube makes any vertical or square video a Short if it’s under 3 minutes. 60 seconds used to be the format’s cutoff point. If your video fits the criteria, you can’t opt out of it becoming a Short.
There are only two effective solutions here:
- Make your video landscape.
- Make the video longer than 3 minutes.
If you’re just posting a short clip, making the video longer might be impossible. It’s usually easier to make the video landscape. However, you might need to re-record or re-render the footage. The latter might take a lot of re-editing to make sure everything’s in frame.
Long-form and short-form content have different audiences. If you want to appeal to long-form video viewers, you must avoid accidentally making Shorts.
How To Disable YouTube Shorts Permanently
There are a few ways to permanently remove shorts. Browser extensions may be the only way to guarantee they don’t come back. Older YouTube apps will inevitably break, and official methods are only temporary.
An extension finds the Shorts in YouTube’s code and hides them from view. The right extension would effectively restore the “old” YouTube from before Shorts took over. If you truly find them that intrusive, there’s little else you can do.
These solutions don’t work on the mobile app. Here, your best bet is to avoid Shorts as much as possible. The platform’s algorithm will rarely recommend them to you. However, they’ll still have a dedicated tab and may appear in your subscriptions.
Boost Your YouTube Presence Today
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You’ll find it easy to grow your videos and push them through the site’s algorithm. Try GoRead’s services today to give your new YouTube videos the love they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make YouTube stop showing Shorts?
You can ask YouTube to remove Shorts from your home page for 30 days. However, these videos still appear in your subscriptions. You can’t use official means to disable the whole format.
Can you block Shorts on YouTube?
Only browser extensions and older app versions will reliably remove Shorts from YouTube. Even the latter won’t always work, especially as the platform updates. For better or for worse, Shorts are here to stay.
How do I stop my child from watching YouTube Shorts?
There’s no official way to stop children from using the Shorts feature. You might have to monitor their YouTube use. In extreme cases, it’s better to stop them from using the platform altogether.
Where do I find extensions to disable YouTube Shorts?
You can find Shorts blockers in your browser’s extensions or add-ons store. Simply search “hide Shorts.” You should find popular options that users have vetted for any well-known browser.