You can disable Shorts on YouTube through your account settings, though the option works differently depending on whether you use the app or the web version

YouTube does not offer a single master switch to turn off Shorts everywhere at once. Instead, you can restrict them in specific places: remove the Shorts tab from your phone's navigation menu, turn off Shorts recommendations in your feed, or use parental controls if you manage a family account. The steps differ between the YouTube app on Android and iPhone, the YouTube website on a computer, and YouTube on a TV.

If you want Shorts gone from your phone's bottom menu bar, that is the fastest change. If you want to stop seeing Shorts recommended in your main feed, that requires a different setting. Neither option prevents Shorts from appearing if you search for them directly or if someone sends you a Shorts link.

Key Takeaways

  • On the YouTube app, you can remove the Shorts tab from the bottom navigation menu by long-pressing it and selecting "Remove".
  • To stop Shorts from showing in your home feed recommendations, go to Settings, tap "General," and toggle off "Show Shorts on feed".
  • On a computer, you cannot remove Shorts from the interface, but you can use browser extensions to hide them if you prefer.
  • YouTube's parental controls let you restrict Shorts on accounts you manage through Family Link, though the setting applies to all content types.
  • Disabling Shorts does not prevent you from watching them if you search for them or click a direct link someone shares with you.

Removing the Shorts tab from your phone's menu

The Shorts tab appears at the bottom of the YouTube app on both Android and iPhone, next to Home, Subscriptions, and other sections. To remove it, press and hold the Shorts icon until a menu appears, then select "Remove." The tab will disappear from your navigation bar immediately.

This is the most visible change you can make, because it removes Shorts from the quickest-access menu. However, Shorts may still appear in your home feed as recommended videos, and you can still find them by searching or through links. Removing the tab only hides the dedicated Shorts section.

Turning off Shorts in your home feed

To stop YouTube from recommending Shorts videos in your main feed, open the YouTube app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then tap "General." Look for the option labeled "Show Shorts on feed" and toggle it off.

This setting prevents Shorts from appearing as recommendations when you scroll through your home feed, but it does not affect the Shorts tab if you have not removed it. The two settings work independently, so you may want to do both if you want Shorts out of your way entirely.

Hiding Shorts on a computer or web browser

YouTube's website does not have a built-in setting to hide Shorts from the interface. However, you can use a browser extension to remove them. Extensions like "Return YouTube Dislike" and "Unhook" include options to hide Shorts from your feed and sidebar.

To use an extension, go to your browser's extension store (Chrome Web Store for Google Chrome, Add-ons for Firefox), search for one that hides Shorts, and install it. Each extension has its own settings menu where you can choose what to hide. This approach only works on the computer where you install the extension, not on your phone or other devices.

Using Family Link to restrict Shorts on managed accounts

If you manage a YouTube account through Google Family Link, you can set restrictions on the account. Open the Family Link app, select the account you manage, go to "Controls on Google Play," and set the content rating to a lower level. This restricts access to mature content across YouTube, including some Shorts.

Family Link's restrictions are broad and affect all content, not just Shorts. If you set the rating to "Everyone," the account can still see most Shorts. The parental controls are designed to limit mature content overall rather than to disable Shorts specifically.

What happens when you disable Shorts

Disabling Shorts removes them from the places you look most often, but does not block them entirely. If someone sends you a link to a Shorts video, you can still watch it. If you search for a creator's name and their Shorts appear in the results, you can still click them. The setting only hides Shorts from appearing without your action.

YouTube treats Shorts as a content format rather than a separate service, so there is no way to block them completely without using third-party tools or parental controls. The built-in options let you reduce how often you encounter them, not eliminate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable Shorts on YouTube TV?

YouTube TV does not show Shorts in the same way the mobile app does. Shorts may appear in search results or recommendations, but there is no dedicated Shorts tab on the TV interface. You cannot remove them through settings, though they are less prominent than on a phone.

Will disabling Shorts affect my watch history or recommendations?

No. Turning off Shorts in your feed or removing the Shorts tab does not change how YouTube recommends other videos to you. Your watch history and recommendation algorithm work the same way. Disabling Shorts only hides them from view; it does not change what YouTube thinks you want to watch.

If I remove the Shorts tab, can I add it back later?

Yes. If you change your mind, you can restore the Shorts tab by going to Settings, selecting "General," and toggling "Show Shorts on feed" back on. You can also long-press the navigation bar and select "Add" to bring the Shorts tab back to your menu.

Do browser extensions that hide Shorts work on all websites?

Browser extensions only work on the website or app where you install them. An extension that hides Shorts on YouTube.com will not affect the YouTube app on your phone. You need to use the app's built-in settings to change what appears there.

What if I want to watch Shorts but just not see them recommended?

Toggle off "Show Shorts on feed" in Settings but keep the Shorts tab in your navigation menu. This way, Shorts will not appear in your home feed recommendations, but you can still access them by tapping the Shorts tab when you want to watch them.