No. There is currently no official, built-in way to fully disable YouTube Shorts across YouTube’s apps or website.

YouTube does not provide a global toggle to turn Shorts off. However, depending on how and where you use YouTube, there are partial workarounds that can significantly reduce or avoid Shorts-especially on desktop. On mobile, options are more limited.

This gap between user demand and platform control is the core reason the question keeps resurfacing worldwide.

This question is trending because Shorts have become increasingly prominent in:

  • Home feeds
  • Search results
  • Subscription pages
  • Autoplay recommendations

Many users actively do not want short-form video-for productivity, focus, or content quality reasons-but feel it is being pushed aggressively. Each platform update that increases Shorts visibility reignites confusion and frustration, prompting repeated searches for a disable option that still does not exist.

What’s Confirmed vs What’s Unclear

Confirmed

  • YouTube does not offer a setting labeled “Disable Shorts.”
  • This applies to Android, iOS, and desktop.
  • Shorts are algorithmically promoted by design, not user preference.

Unclear

  • Whether YouTube will ever add a formal opt-out.
  • Whether regional regulations or user backlash will force a change.
  • How long current workarounds will continue to function.

What People Are Getting Wrong

Misconception: “There’s a hidden setting to turn Shorts off.”
There isn’t. Any guide claiming otherwise is outdated or misleading.

Misconception: “Clicking ‘Not interested’ removes Shorts.”
It only affects individual recommendations. Shorts as a format remain.

Misconception: “This is a bug.”
Shorts visibility is intentional. It is a strategic product choice, not an error.

Practical Workarounds (What Actually Works)

On Desktop (Most Control)

  • Browser extensions (e.g., content blockers or custom CSS tools) can hide Shorts sections.
  • Ad-blocker filters can remove Shorts shelves and links.
  • These methods do not disable Shorts at the account level but make them invisible in practice.

This is currently the most effective approach.

On Mobile (Limited Control)

  • You can avoid tapping Shorts, but they will still appear.
  • Using the Subscriptions tab instead of Home reduces exposure.
  • Repeatedly selecting “Not interested” may lower frequency but does not eliminate Shorts.

There is no reliable, permanent mobile-only solution without modifying the app, which carries security and policy risks.

Real-World Impact (Everyday Scenarios)

Scenario 1: Knowledge Workers or Students
Shorts fragment attention. Users looking for long-form educational content find Shorts disruptive and time-wasting, especially during focused work sessions.

Scenario 2: Content Creators
Creators who publish long videos often feel Shorts cannibalize attention while offering weaker monetization and reduced depth of engagement.

In both cases, the inability to disable Shorts directly affects how people use-and trust-the platform.

Benefits, Risks & Limitations

Benefits of Shorts

  • Quick discovery
  • Algorithmic reach for new creators
  • Mobile-first engagement

Risks and Limitations

  • Reduced user control
  • Attention dilution
  • No official opt-out despite clear demand

The main issue is not Shorts themselves-it is the lack of user choice.

What to Watch Next

  • Platform updates that consolidate video formats further
  • Regulatory pressure around algorithmic control and user autonomy
  • Increased use of third-party tools as informal solutions

If YouTube introduces a toggle in the future, it will likely be framed as a personalization feature-not a full disable switch.

What You Can Ignore Safely

  • Claims of “secret settings”
  • One-tap mobile fixes
  • Viral hacks that require sideloaded apps or modified clients

These are unreliable and often unsafe.

Can I disable YouTube Shorts on Android?
No official way. Only avoidance or risky third-party modifications.

Can I disable Shorts on iPhone?
No. Apple’s app restrictions make this even harder.

Can I block Shorts for kids?
YouTube Kids handles content differently, but Shorts are still integrated in various forms.

Does YouTube Premium remove Shorts?
No. Premium removes ads, not formats.