YouTube Introduces Option to Disable Shorts on Mobile

YouTube's heard the complaints. They're now letting users turn off Shorts entirely on mobile apps. Finally. This update's a sigh of relief for many who find the endless stream intrusive. Available on both iOS and Android, it lets you set a zero-minute limit on Shorts viewing.

More Control for Users

Short-form content like TikTok's everywhere. YouTube's Shorts hopped on that trend, but not everyone's a fan. Previous attempts to limit Shorts didn't cut it—30-day hiding was a weak fix. But with the zero-minute option, users get a real off-switch.

Find it in YouTube’s mobile app under Time Management. Choose zero minutes. The feed disappears. It's that simple.

How to Do It

Want to cut the Shorts stream?

• Tap your profile icon in the lower-right of the app.
• Hit the gear icon for settings.
• Head to Time management.
• Under Daily limits, toggle Shorts feed limit.
• Pick zero minutes.

You might need to restart the app to see changes.

Better Parental Controls

Parents, you're in luck. Through Google Family Link or YouTube’s Family Center, set the zero-minute limit on supervised accounts. Teens can't bypass it. Healthier habits, less screen time.

Desktop and TV Still Waiting

Here's the catch—it’s only for mobile. Desktop and smart TV users? You're stuck with third-party solutions like browser extensions. Unhook can hide the Shorts tab on laptops.

What's Unclear:

• Will the feature come to desktop and TV?
• How will this affect creators who depend on Shorts?
• Will they beef up the feature for adults to avoid easy bypassing?

Why It Matters:

YouTube's zero-minute Shorts limit is a big step for user control. With screen time under scrutiny, it aligns with promoting healthier habits. Letting users opt out of endless content is a win for many who prefer long-form videos. It could push other platforms to balance engagement with what users actually want.