Are you tired of YouTube Shorts taking over your feed? While Shorts are a great way to consume quick videos, not everyone enjoys them. If you’re looking for ways to disable the presence of YouTube Shorts on your account, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective methods for turning off Shorts on desktop and mobile, helping you customize your YouTube experience as you prefer.

How to Disable YouTube Shorts (Quick Answer)

If you want to disable YouTube Shorts, try these methods:

• Mark Shorts as “Not Interested” – Tap the three-dot menu on a Shorts video and select “Not interested.”

• Use Browser Extensions – Install Chrome or Firefox extensions like “YouTube Shorts block extension.”

• Access YouTube via a mobile browser. Request that the desktop site remove the Shorts section.

• Downgrade the YouTube App – Install an older version of YouTube (Android only).

• Use YouTube Vanced or ReVanced – Alternative apps that offer more customization.

• Modify YouTube URL Parameters – Append ?disable_polymer=1 to the URL to switch to an older layout.

Here you can see a tutorial on how to disable YouTube Shorts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfr0uIU2lDI&ab_channel=ChrisTitusTech

What are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts is a feature within the YouTube app that is designed to create and share short-form videos. These videos are typically 60 seconds or less, making them perfect for quick, engaging content. 

Like TikTok and Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts lets users discover and create trending and spontaneous videos directly within the app. While this feature aims to boost creativity and engagement, not all users find these short-form videos entertaining or relevant to their interests.

Why Disable YouTube Shorts?

Many users prefer a distraction-free YouTube experience. Common reasons include:

• Preference for Long-Form Content – Some users dislike the short video format.
• Avoiding Distractions – Shorts can be addictive and reduce productivity.
• Reducing Data Consumption – Autoplaying Shorts can use more mobile data.
• Better Content Recommendations – Removing Shorts helps curate a more relevant feed.
• Shorts in YouTube’s Mobile – Shorts in YouTube’s mobile app can be distracting and reduce the quality of content recommendations. While users cannot remove Shorts from their feed, they can temporarily use the ‘Not Interested’ feature to reduce their visibility.

Detailed Methods to Disable YouTube Shorts

1. Mark Shorts as “Not Interested”

YouTube’s algorithm adjusts recommendations based on user preferences, and one of the most effective ways to train the system to avoid unwanted content is by marking Shorts as “Not Interested.” To do this, navigate to the Shorts section, perform a top right corner, tap on the three-dot menu, and select “Not Interested.” Here is an explanatory picture of how to do it: 

Steps (Mobile & Desktop):

1. Open YouTube and locate a Shorts video.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Select “Not interested.”
4. Repeat for other Shorts to refine your recommendations further.

2. Use Browser Extensions (Desktop)

If you’re using YouTube on a desktop browser like Chrome or Firefox, you can take advantage of extensions to remove the Shorts section entirely from your feed. These extensions allow you to customize your browsing experience and efficiently filter unwanted content.

Along with third-party apps or browser extensions, this method helps manage and remove YouTube Shorts from mobile and desktop platforms, addressing user frustrations with how Shorts are integrated into the platform.

Steps for Chrome & Edge:

1. Open the Chrome Web Store.
2. Search for “YouTube Shorts block extension.“
3. Click “Add to Chrome.”
4. Confirm installation.

Steps for Firefox:

1. Open Firefox Add-ons.
2. Search for “Remove YouTube Shorts.”
3. Click “Add to Firefox.”
4. Confirm installation.

Extensions are a quick and effective way to customize YouTube to your preferences. They allow you to enjoy a distraction-free browsing experience without Shorts.

3. Access YouTube via Mobile Browser

If you want to avoid Shorts on your mobile device, an effective workaround is to use YouTube through a mobile browser instead of the app and switch to desktop mode. This prevents Shorts from dominating your feed since the desktop version of YouTube has a different layout. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb7VAt_axFU

Steps:

1. Open a mobile browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.).
2. Go to YouTube.
3. Tap the browser menu and select “Request Desktop Website.”
4. Shorts will no longer appear.

This method is beneficial if you’re wondering how to disable YouTube Shorts on your iPhone or Android without modifying your app settings.

Related: A strategic approach is key for brands looking to enhance the user experience on YouTube, especially when dealing with new features like Shorts. BuzzVoice offers tailored solutions to optimize online presence. By implementing these services, brands can reduce distractions like Shorts, improve recommendations, and strengthen follower loyalty.

4. Downgrade the YouTube App (Android)

If you’re using an Android device, an effective way to remove Shorts is to downgrade to an older version of the YouTube app that doesn’t support It. Since Shorts is a relatively recent feature, earlier app versions do not include it in the interface.

Steps:

1. Uninstall your current YouTube app.
2. Download an older APK version from a trusted source (e.g., APKMirror).
3. Install the APK and disable auto-updates.

Note: Manually downgrading apps can pose security risks, as older versions may lack essential updates. If you choose this method, ensure you download from reputable sources and keep your device secure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVjfuQCk-E4

5. Use YouTube Vanced or ReVanced (Android Only)

For Android users, third-party apps like YouTube Vanced (discontinued) and its successor, ReVanced, offer advanced customization options, including removing Shorts entirely. These modified versions of YouTube provide an ad-free experience, background playback, and various tweaks unavailable in the official app.

Steps:

1. Download and install YouTube Vanced (or ReVanced for newer versions).
2. Open settings and disable the Shorts feature.

Since these are third-party apps, they aren’t unavailable on the Google Play Store and need manual installation. To avoid security risks, always download from reliable sources.

6. Modify YouTube URL Parameters (Desktop)

A simple trick to avoid Shorts on the desktop is modifying the YouTube URL parameters. This forces YouTube to use an older layout or display only standard videos. This forces YouTube to load the video in the standard player instead of the Shorts format.

Use the “watch” URL format:

Instead of clicking on a Shorts video directly, modify the URL from https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID. This forces YouTube to load the video in the standard player instead of the Shorts format.

Modify the homepage URL:

When visiting YouTube, use the following URL: https://www.youtube.com/feed/subscriptions This takes you directly to your subscription feed, where you can pass Shorts recommendations from the homepage.

Bookmark the modified URL:

Save the URL as a bookmark or set it as your default homepage for a Shorts-free browsing experience. These minor URL tweaks can minimize the presence of Shorts and keep your YouTube experience focused on traditional videos.

Disable YouTube Shorts Permanently

Unfortunately, there is no official method for permanently disabling YouTube Shorts. However, several effective workarounds can help you remove or reduce their visibility in your YouTube feed.

These methods allow you to enjoy a cleaner, distraction-free YouTube experience tailored to your preferences. Whether you prefer using browser extensions, modifying app settings, or switching to alternative YouTube apps, these strategies can help you disable YouTube Shorts and focus on the content you love.

Avoiding YouTube Shorts

If you’re not interested in watching YouTube Shorts, there are several ways to avoid them. You can use the “Not Interested” option for individual Shorts, install browser extensions to block Shorts, or access YouTube via a browser where Shorts may be less prominent. These methods can help you maintain a more focused and enjoyable YouTube experience.

Subscribe to Long-Form Content Creators

Subscribing to creators who produce only long-form videos effectively reduces the number of Shorts recommended to you organically. By following your favorite long-form content creators, you can enjoy more of their videos and minimize the presence of Shorts in your feed. Search for these creators and subscribe to their channels to see more of their content in your YouTube feed.

Conclusion

While YouTube doesn’t offer a built-in option to disable Shorts altogether, several effective workarounds exist. Whether you prefer using browser extensions, modifying settings, or switching to alternative YouTube apps, you can customize your experience to focus on long-form content. 

As YouTube continues to push Shorts, staying updated with new tricks and tools will be key to maintaining your preferred viewing experience. If you found this guide helpful, share it with others who might also want to take control of their YouTube recommendations!

FAQ

How to turn off YouTube Shorts on mobile?

You can use the “Not Interested” option to reduce Shorts or even downgrade the app. Another alternative is using YouTube Vanced/ReVanced for a Shorts-free experience. To avoid shorts in the interface, access YouTube through a mobile browser on desktop mode.

How to remove YouTube Shorts from the feed?

Mark Shorts as “Not Interested” to train the algorithm or use browser extensions to block the content. You can also access YouTube on your desktop to avoid Shorts—To signal disinterest, you can disable auto-play for Shorts by pausing them quickly.

Can I permanently disable YouTube Shorts?

It’s impossible to disable Shorts on YouTube permanently, but you can reduce their presence with some options. Using “Not Interested” can help decrease their visibility. The best way to block shorts on mobile is to downgrade the YouTube app or use modified versions (like ReVanced). On desktop, browser extensions can block Shorts permanently.

Will YouTube bring an official “disable Shorts” option?

YouTube has no plans to introduce an official “disable Shorts” feature. Shorts are a key part of YouTube’s strategy to compete with TikTok, so they will likely remain a core feature. The best workaround is using third-party tools or modifying user behavior to reduce YouTube Shorts recommendations.