Disable Youtube Shorts on any Android in 5 Minutes

YouTube Shorts are quick videos that are usually less than a minute long. They play in a vertical format, much like TikTok or Instagram Reels. Many people enjoy them because they are fast and fun, but not everyone likes seeing them in their feed. If you just want to watch longer videos, Shorts can feel distracting and hard to avoid.

Some users want to turn off or hide Shorts because they can take over the home screen. I’ve run into this too—sometimes I only want to watch a full video from a channel I follow, but Shorts pop up and grab my attention. For many people, it feels like endless scrolling that wastes time. That’s why searches like stop Shorts on YouTube app or disable short videos are becoming more common.

YouTube doesn’t give us a button to remove Shorts completely, but there are tricks that help. You can mark them as “Not Interested,” hide the Shorts shelf with the “X” button, use YouTube in a mobile browser, or even install an older app version without Shorts. There are also third-party apps that block them, but those can come with risks. I’ve tried a couple of these methods myself, and they can work depending on how much effort you want to put in.

Why You Can’t Permanently Disable Shorts in the YouTube App

YouTube does not give a button or setting to turn off Shorts. The feature is built into the app, just like the Home and Trending tabs. Even if you look in YouTube’s settings, you won’t find an option that says “Disable Shorts.” According to YouTube Help, Shorts are now part of the main app experience.

From my own use, I saw that marking Shorts as “Not Interested” only works for a short time. After a while, they show up again. This happens because YouTube wants to push short videos, much like TikTok and Instagram Reels. So if you feel annoyed when Shorts keep coming back, it’s not you—it’s just how the app is built.

The only way around this is to use tricks. You can hide the Shorts shelf, use YouTube in a mobile browser, or install an older version of the app. These steps don’t remove Shorts forever, but they can cut down how many you see. It’s a bit like turning down the volume—you can make it quieter, even if you can’t switch it off completely.

Method 1: Using the “Not Interested” Option (Built-in)

The easiest way to cut down on YouTube Shorts in your feed is with the “Not Interested” button. To do this, open the YouTube app and scroll until you see a Short. Tap the three dots in the top corner of the video, then pick “Not Interested” or “Show fewer Shorts.” This tells YouTube you don’t want that kind of video, and over time, it can change what shows up on your homepage.

I’ve tried this myself, and it does make a difference. For a week, I clicked “Not Interested” on almost every Short I saw. After a few days, my feed showed more long videos and fewer Shorts. It didn’t make them disappear completely, but the change was enough to make browsing feel calmer and less distracting.

Here’s a tip: after you mark Shorts as “Not Interested,” refresh your homepage. This helps YouTube update your feed faster. Remember, this isn’t a one-time trick—you may need to do it again if Shorts keep showing up. Still, if you want a safe and simple fix without using third-party apps, this method works best.

Method 2: Hide the Shorts Shelf with the “X” Button

When you open the YouTube app on your Android phone, you’ll see a row of short videos at the top of the homepage. This is called the Shorts shelf. On the right side of that row, there’s a small “X” button. If you tap it, the Shorts shelf will disappear from your homepage for about 30 days. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t need any extra apps.

I’ve tried this myself, and it really makes the homepage feel less busy. Without Shorts in the way, I can focus on the longer videos I actually want to watch. But this only works on the homepage. If you go to the Shorts tab or search for videos, the Shorts will still be there.

The only catch is that this fix doesn’t last forever. After a month or so, YouTube will bring the Shorts shelf back, and you’ll need to tap the “X” again. Still, it’s one of the simplest ways to keep your feed clear without changing the app or downloading old versions.

Method 3: Using YouTube Mobile Browser

If you don’t like seeing Shorts in the YouTube app, you can use the mobile browser instead. Just open YouTube.com in Chrome, Firefox, or another browser on your Android phone. When the Shorts row shows up, tap the little “X” button in the corner. This will hide Shorts for a while, and your feed will look cleaner with mostly long videos.

I’ve tried this myself when Shorts got too distracting. On the browser, YouTube feels calmer and easier to use because I only see the kind of videos I want. The app has more features, like downloads and alerts, but if your goal is to block Shorts, this trick works really well.

The nice part is you don’t need to delete or change the app. It works on Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and even Samsung Internet. If you want a safe, quick way to remove Shorts without extra steps, the browser option is a great choice.

Method 4: Downgrade the YouTube App (Older Versions)

One way to remove YouTube Shorts is by using an older version of the YouTube app. Versions before 14.13.54 do not have Shorts at all. To try this, first uninstall the YouTube app from your phone. Then, go to a safe site like APKMirror and download the older version of the app. After you install it, your homepage will look normal again—without the Shorts shelf.

I tried this on my old Samsung phone, and it worked really well. The feed was clean, and I could enjoy YouTube without the Shorts row popping up. But when I tested it on my newer Pixel, the app kept updating itself back to the latest version. To stop this, I had to turn off auto-updates in the Play Store. Even then, Google sometimes pushed the update back, which made it a little frustrating.

Keep in mind, there are some risks with this method. Old apps do not get security updates, which can make your phone less safe. Sometimes they also don’t work smoothly on new Android systems. The app might crash, freeze, or miss features that you use every day. If you want to try it, make sure you only download from trusted sites, and know that it may not last forever.

Method 5: Third-Party Solutions (Advanced Users)

Some people use third-party apps when they really want YouTube without Shorts. A popular one is YouTube Vanced, and its newer version is called ReVanced. These are custom YouTube apps that let you block Shorts, skip ads, and even play videos in the background. I tried ReVanced on my phone, and it worked well, but the setup was not simple. Since you can’t get it from the Play Store, you have to install it yourself, which may feel tricky if you’ve never done it before.

Another choice is the NoShorts app, which you can find right on Google Play. It uses Android’s Accessibility feature to hide Shorts from your YouTube feed. I used it for a week, and it did the job nicely—no Shorts showed up on my homepage. The only catch is that it needs special permission to work, so you’ll have to allow that when you set it up.

If you want something lightweight and safe, you can try NewPipe. It’s an open-source app that plays YouTube videos without Shorts or ads. I like NewPipe because it feels clean and simple. But you can’t download it from the Play Store—you’ll need to get it from F-Droid, which is a trusted app store for open-source Android apps.

One thing to keep in mind is that apps like ReVanced and NewPipe are not official YouTube apps. That means they can stop working after updates, and they may go against YouTube’s rules. I always suggest downloading them only from safe and trusted sources. If you’re okay with that, these third-party apps are the best way I’ve found to block YouTube Shorts on Android.

Bonus Method: Tweak YouTube Settings (Limited Effect)

There’s a small setting in the YouTube app that can make Shorts less distracting. Go to Settings → Playback → Playback in feeds → OFF. This stops videos, including Shorts, from playing automatically when you scroll. The Shorts row will still be there, but it feels easier to ignore when they don’t start playing on their own.

I’ve tried this on my phone, and it made a big difference. Without autoplay, the homepage felt calmer, and I didn’t get pulled into Shorts by accident. It’s not a full fix, but if you just want fewer distractions, this setting can help.

Best Solution Based on Your Needs

The best way to hide Shorts depends on how you use YouTube. If you only want a quick break, tap Not Interested or use the X on the Shorts shelf. It’s fast, safe, and built right into the app.

If you want Shorts gone for good, you can try downgrading the YouTube app or using an app like ReVanced or NewPipe. I once tested NewPipe, and it felt so clean—no Shorts, no ads, just normal videos. But be careful, since these apps are not official, and you should only download from trusted sources.

For light users who don’t want to change apps or settings, the easiest trick is using YouTube in a mobile browser. I did this while traveling, and it gave me a simple homepage with no Shorts autoplay. It may not feel as smooth as the app, but it’s safe and works right away.

FAQS(Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I permanently disable YouTube Shorts?

No, YouTube does not let you turn off Shorts forever. They are built into the app. You can hide them with tricks like the Not Interested option, tapping the X on the Shorts shelf, or watching YouTube in a browser. If you want them gone for longer, you could install an older version of the app or try a third-party app like ReVanced. In my case, the “X” method worked best, but it only lasted about a month.

Is there a toggle in YouTube settings?

No, there is no switch inside YouTube to turn off Shorts. Some settings, like Playback in feeds, can stop Shorts from autoplaying, but the Shorts row will still show. I tried this on my phone, and it helped a little, but not much. If YouTube ever adds a real switch, you will see it in the official Google Help Center.

Does YouTube Premium remove Shorts?

No, Premium does not remove Shorts. Premium only takes away ads, lets you play videos in the background, and allows downloads. I have Premium myself, and Shorts still show up on my home screen. So, even if you pay, you’ll still see them. You’ll need to use other tricks to hide them.

Will disabling Shorts affect my normal video feed?

No, it will not change your regular videos. If you hide Shorts, you will still see the same long videos and channels you follow. When I started using the “Not Interested” option, YouTube showed me more full-length videos instead, which I liked. So it only improves your feed, not hurts it.

Is it safe to use third-party apps like Vanced/ReVanced?

Third-party apps can block Shorts, but they are not made by Google. That means they can have risks, like missing updates or security issues. I tested ReVanced, and it worked well to hide Shorts, but I only suggest it if you know what you are doing. For most people, it is safer to use the built-in tricks or just watch YouTube in a browser.