YouTube has introduced a welcome new option for users who want greater control over their viewing experience.
The platform now allows anyone to completely remove Shorts from their mobile feed by setting a daily Shorts feed limit to zero minutes. This update addresses long-standing feedback from viewers who felt overwhelmed by the constant presence of short-form videos on the homepage and in recommendations.
Previously available only as part of parental controls with a minimum of 15 minutes, the zero-minute setting has now been expanded and is rolling out to all users on both Android and iOS apps.
The feature builds on YouTube’s time management tools, which were first enhanced in late 2025. According to reports, the change was initially tested through Google Family Link for supervised accounts before being made widely available.
The zero-minute option, which fully hides the Shorts feed, was first previewed on January 2026. Once the limit is set to zero, the Shorts shelf and related recommendations largely disappear from the main feed.
Users who try to access the Shorts tab will see a message indicating they have reached their daily limit, adding a natural barrier to endless scrolling without fully deleting the format from the platform.
To activate this setting, open the YouTube mobile app and tap the You tab in the bottom right corner.
Navigate to Settings, then select Time management, and tap on Shorts feed limit. From there, choose zero minutes to apply the restriction immediately. Many users have reported that after refreshing the app, the familiar row of Shorts on the homepage vanishes, creating a cleaner interface focused on longer videos.
This simple adjustment has been praised for helping people reclaim their time and reduce unintended doom-scrolling.
That said, the solution is not entirely comprehensive.
While it works effectively on the mobile app, Shorts may still appear in search results, within subscriptions, or when users actively look for them.
The desktop version of YouTube remains unaffected, meaning browser extensions such as Unhook or similar tools are still necessary for a full cross-platform experience. YouTube has confirmed that the zero-minute limit is currently being rolled out gradually, so some accounts may need to update their app to see the option right away.
This development reflects broader conversations around digital wellbeing and user choice on social media platforms.
As short-form content continues to dominate attention online, features like this give individuals more agency in shaping their feeds. YouTube spokesperson Makenzie Spiller noted that the update responds directly to user and parental demand for better tools to manage screen time.
For those interested in trying it, the setting is easy to reverse at any time by simply choosing a different daily limit.
Overall, the move demonstrates YouTube's willingness to listen to its community and provide flexible viewing preferences in an increasingly fast-paced digital landscape.