How to Disable YouTube Shorts on PC and Mobile

Let’s discuss various methods to disable the YouTube Shorts feature. Whether you find them distracting, irrelevant, or a data drain, we’ll provide several approaches to minimize or eliminate YouTube Shorts from your experience. Use the provided step-by-step instructions to disable Shorts on various devices and platforms.

YouTube Shorts is a short-form video feature introduced by YouTube after the massive popularity of TikTok-like content. While some users enjoy quick and engaging content, others may find these short videos distracting or less relevant. This comprehensive guide offers multiple methods to disable or minimize the impact of Shorts on your YouTube browsing experience.

Disabling YouTube Shorts on Desktop

Using Browser Extensions

On desktop browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, various browser extensions can help block or hide YouTube Shorts from your view. Here’s a list of popular extensions for different browsers:

• Chrome and Edge
  • ShortsBlocker (SageMod)
  • Hide YouTube Shorts (ProbablyRaging)
  • YouTube-Shorts Block (Doma_itachi)
• Firefox
  • Hide YouTube Shorts (Vulpelo)
  • Remove YouTube Shorts (Raven Liu)
• Safari
  • BlockYT (Nikita Kukushkin – this one is not free)

To install an extension:

1. Visit the extension store or repository for your browser.
2. Search for the desired extension.
3. Click “Add” or “Install” to enable the extension in your browser.

Disabling YouTube Shorts on Mobile

Marking Shorts as Not Interested

One way to minimize the appearance of YouTube Shorts on mobile is to mark them as “Not Interested.” This method does not permanently remove Shorts, but it hides them until you reopen the app.

1. Open the YouTube app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Play any video and scroll down to find the “Shorts” section.
3. Tap on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of a Shorts video.
4. Select “Not Interested” from the list of options.

Using Alternative Mobile Browsers

For those using mobile devices, consider using your mobile browser in desktop mode to access YouTube without encountering Shorts recommendations.

1. Open your preferred mobile browser and visit youtube.com.
2. Request the desktop version of the site from your browser’s settings or menu.
3. Navigate to any desired video without encountering YouTube Shorts recommendations.

Advanced Methods for Android Devices

The following advanced methods are applicable only to Android devices and require more technical knowledge:

Downgrading the YouTube App

Downgrading is a simple method that allows you to use an older version of the YouTube app that does not include Shorts. However, this method does not work on newer devices that have a version of YouTube preinstalled that already includes the Shorts feature.

1. Disable auto-updates for apps in the Google Play Store.
2. Under Android settings, navigate to Apps.
3. Tap on “YouTube.”
4. Select “Uninstall Updates.”

Sideloading an Older Version of the YouTube App

If downgrading your YouTube app doesn’t work, sideloading an older, Shorts-free version might be the solution:

1. Download an older version of the YouTube APK file (version 14.12.56 or lower) from a trustworthy source like APKMirror or APKPure.
2. Install the APK file on your Android device.
3. Open the downloaded older YouTube app without encountering Shorts recommendations.

YouTube Vanced App (Android Only)

YouTube Vanced is a modified app with additional features, including options to disable Shorts and block ads:

1. Download and install YouTube Vanced from their official website.
2. Sign in to your Google account within the app.
3. Go to Settings > Vanced Settings > Layout Settings and toggle off “Shorts Shelf” (Experimental).
4. Restart YouTube Vanced without encountering Shorts recommendations.

Alternatives and Workarounds for Disabling YouTube Shorts

There are other alternatives and workarounds you can use for disabling YouTube Shorts:

• Using custom playlists to avoid browsing recommendations.
• Accessing third-party websites like Invidious or FreeTube for ad-free and uninterrupted viewing.

Please note that using third-party websites may impact content creators’ ad revenue and lead to other downsides, such as limited content access or lower video quality.