Google has updated the YouTube mobile app for Android and iOS to allow users to set their daily Shorts viewing limit to zero minutes, effectively removing the short-form video feed from the home screen. The company confirmed to The Verge that the feature is available to all parents and is being rolled out to standard users globally, including those in Germany.
How the disablement process works
Users can trigger the block by tapping their profile picture and accessing the settings menu. From there, the „Time Management“ section contains a „Shorts Feed Limits“ option where the time budget can be set to 0 minutes.
The change requires an app restart to take effect. Once rebooted, the app stops displaying Shorts recommendations on the primary home page.
Why YouTube changed the minimum limit
The previous minimum limit for the Shorts timer was 15 minutes. This update removes that floor, responding to user complaints about the distracting nature of the auto-scrolling feed.
Shorts often consist of clips carved from longer videos or content imported from other social platforms. These videos promote a rapid consumption cycle that many users find disruptive to their productivity.
Where Shorts still appear
The zero-minute setting doesn’t scrub Shorts from every corner of the platform. Short-form videos still appear in the „Subscriptions“ view for channels a user follows.
Google hasn’t provided a way to disable Shorts on the web version of YouTube or within TV applications. The current restriction applies exclusively to the mobile ecosystem.
This move may indicate a shift in how Google manages user retention and digital wellbeing. By allowing a total blackout of the feed, YouTube acknowledges the friction between algorithmic engagement and user control.
Does this work on a computer?
No. The option to set the Shorts limit to zero is currently only available in the Android and iOS mobile apps.
Will I still see Shorts from channels I subscribe to?
Yes. While the home screen recommendations disappear, Shorts remain visible in the subscriptions view.
