YouTube has introduced a fresh feature allowing users to disable Shorts within its mobile application, marking a significant shift in how the platform accommodates user preferences regarding short-form video content. The update, which began rolling out globally in early 2026, enables individuals to turn off the Shorts shelf and related recommendations directly through the app’s settings menu. This development responds to growing user feedback about the prominence of Shorts in the YouTube interface and concerns over compulsive scrolling behaviors associated with short-form content.
The option to disable Shorts is located under the “General” settings section within the YouTube app for both Android and iOS devices. When activated, the feature removes the dedicated Shorts tab from the navigation bar and prevents Shorts from appearing in home feed recommendations. Importantly, disabling Shorts does not affect access to long-form videos, live streams, or YouTube Music content, ensuring that core platform functionality remains intact while giving users greater control over their viewing experience.
According to verified information from YouTube’s official support documentation, the feature was developed as part of broader efforts to enhance user well-being and digital mindfulness. The company states that the tool empowers individuals to customize their YouTube experience based on personal preferences and habits, particularly for those who find short-form video content distracting or detrimental to productivity. This aligns with similar controls already available for other content types, such as the ability to limit recommendations for specific channels or topics.
Industry analysts note that the move reflects YouTube’s response to increasing competition from dedicated short-form platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, while simultaneously addressing user fatigue with algorithm-driven content feeds. By offering an opt-out mechanism, YouTube acknowledges that not all users desire the same content format and seeks to maintain trust through greater transparency and user agency. The feature does not delete or block Shorts content entirely but rather prevents it from being surfaced in the user’s personalized feed.
To disable Shorts, users must open the YouTube app, tap their profile picture, navigate to Settings > General, and toggle off the “Shorts” option. A confirmation prompt explains that turning off the feature will remove the Shorts shelf and reduce Shorts-based recommendations. Users can re-enable the feature at any time by following the same steps. The change applies only to the individual device where it is configured and does not sync across multiple devices linked to the same account.
The introduction of this control comes amid broader discussions about the impact of short-form video on attention spans and mental health, particularly among younger audiences. While YouTube has not released specific usage statistics related to Shorts deactivation, internal testing reportedly showed strong demand for such a feature among users seeking to minimize distractions during work, study, or focused activities. External tools like the “No Shorts” app, which uses Android’s Accessibility API to block short videos in selected applications, have previously filled this gap for users unable to disable Shorts through native settings.
YouTube emphasizes that the disablement option is designed to be reversible and non-disruptive to creator ecosystems. Content producers who specialize in Shorts will continue to have their videos available to users who have not opted out, and the platform’s monetization structures for short-form content remain unaffected. The feature is presented as a personalization tool rather than a content moderation measure, distinguishing it from mechanisms that restrict or remove videos based on policy violations.
As of April 2026, the Shorts toggle is available to all users running the latest version of the YouTube app on Android, and iOS. YouTube advises users to ensure their application is updated through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to access the setting. The company has not announced plans to extend similar controls to the desktop version of YouTube, where Shorts are currently accessed via a dedicated shelf on the homepage but lack a native disable option in settings.
This update represents a rare instance of a major platform reducing the visibility of its own flagship short-form product in response to user autonomy requests. While YouTube continues to invest heavily in Shorts as a competitive format—citing billions of daily views and growing creator participation—the ability to turn it off underscores a evolving philosophy: that user control should coexist with product innovation. For now, the feature stands as a tangible example of how digital platforms can adapt to nuanced user needs without abandoning strategic content directions.
Moving forward, YouTube indicates that user feedback will continue to shape the evolution of the Shorts experience, including potential refinements to the disablement logic or additional customization options. No official timeline has been provided for future updates, but the company confirms that all changes will be communicated through standard app update notes and in-app notifications. Users seeking assistance with the feature are directed to YouTube’s Help Center, where step-by-step guides and troubleshooting advice are available.
The ability to disable Shorts joins a growing list of user controls within the YouTube ecosystem, including playback speed adjustments, caption preferences, and notification management. Together, these tools reflect a broader industry trend toward empowering individuals to shape their digital environments in ways that support focus, intentionality, and personal well-being. As the conversation around healthy technology use evolves, features like this may become standard expectations rather than exceptional offerings.
For users interested in managing their YouTube experience, the Shorts disable option is now live and accessible through the official app. YouTube encourages individuals to explore the setting and adjust it according to their current needs, emphasizing that there is no permanent commitment—preferences can be changed at any time. As digital habits continue to shift, such flexible controls may play an increasingly important role in helping users maintain agency over their time and attention online.