how to block youtube shorts on android and iphone

Your options depend on your device and how strict you want the restriction to be. YouTube offers a built-in Shorts feed limit, while Android apps such as Regain and one sec document selective Shorts blocking. On iPhone, Fluid Friction provides filtered browsing and WallHabit advertises native-app Shorts blocking.

The YouTube limit is a reminder rather than a guaranteed hard block. dedoom's mobile app is coming soon. Compare the current options below.

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Using a computer? See how to hide YouTube Shorts in your browser.

Android: Apps to block YouTube Shorts

Android offers options for selective Shorts blocking as well as YouTube's own feed limit.

App	What it offers & considerations
YouTube ⭐ Recommended	What it offers: A built-in Shorts feed limit in supported versions, including a zero-minute option where available. No third-party blocker is needed. Considerations: YouTube says users can dismiss or ignore the reminder after the limit is reached. It is not a guaranteed, non-bypassable block.
Regain ⭐ Recommended	What it offers: Its Android listing explicitly advertises blocking YouTube Shorts and other short-form feeds while keeping the rest of YouTube usable. It uses Android's Accessibility Service API to detect and intervene in selected app features. Considerations: Requires accessibility permission. Review the permissions and strict-mode settings before enabling them.
one sec	What it offers: Documents selective YouTube Shorts blocking on Android through Customize → Remove In-App Distractions. Considerations: Requires configuration and depends on the current Android implementation and compatibility.
StayFree	What it offers: Provides screen-time tracking and app restrictions. Its Chrome extension advertises hiding YouTube Shorts, but that does not confirm the same capability in its Android mobile app. Considerations: Verify the current Android listing before relying on it for selective in-app Shorts blocking. Review its privacy policy and optional features.
WallHabit	What it offers: Advertises tools for blocking Shorts and other distracting short-form content. Considerations: Confirm the current Android listing supports the exact YouTube Shorts behavior you need. Check permissions and compatibility.
Fluid Friction	What it offers: Provides friction-based interventions and selective content controls. Considerations: Android and iOS implementations differ. Verify that the current Android version supports the specific Shorts restriction before relying on it.

iPhone: Apps and alternatives for YouTube Shorts

On iPhone, distinguish between setting a limit in YouTube, filtering YouTube through another browser, and blocking Shorts inside the native YouTube app.

App	What it offers & considerations
YouTube ⭐ Recommended	What it offers: A built-in Shorts feed limit, including a zero-minute option where available. Considerations: This is a reminder or limit, not a guaranteed, non-bypassable block. YouTube says the reminder can be dismissed or ignored.
Fluid Friction	What it offers: Provides a filtered YouTube experience through its own browser, alongside native app and website restrictions using Apple's Screen Time controls. Considerations: Filtering YouTube in its own browser does not remove Shorts from the native YouTube app. Its iOS privacy policy says core usage and blocking settings remain on-device, with specific opt-in exceptions.
WallHabit	What it offers: Its App Store listing advertises YouTube Shorts blocking on iPhone and iPad, with a commitment mechanism for reducing distractions. Considerations: Verify the current App Store version and test the exact blocking behavior on your device. Its privacy policy identifies Firebase Analytics and RevenueCat for analytics and subscription management.

App

What it offers & considerations

YouTube ⭐ Recommended

What it offers: A built-in Shorts feed limit, including a zero-minute option where available.

Considerations: This is a reminder or limit, not a guaranteed, non-bypassable block. YouTube says the reminder can be dismissed or ignored.

Fluid Friction

What it offers: Provides a filtered YouTube experience through its own browser, alongside native app and website restrictions using Apple's Screen Time controls.

Considerations: Filtering YouTube in its own browser does not remove Shorts from the native YouTube app. Its iOS privacy policy says core usage and blocking settings remain on-device, with specific opt-in exceptions.

WallHabit

What it offers: Its App Store listing advertises YouTube Shorts blocking on iPhone and iPad, with a commitment mechanism for reducing distractions.

Considerations: Verify the current App Store version and test the exact blocking behavior on your device. Its privacy policy identifies Firebase Analytics and RevenueCat for analytics and subscription management.

A limit, a selective blocker, or a filtered browser?

Built-in limit
Easy to configure, but the reminder can be dismissed or ignored.
Selective blocking
Can restrict Shorts while preserving other YouTube features, depending on the app and device.
Filtered browser
Changes the browsing experience inside a separate browser rather than modifying the native YouTube app.
Whole-app restrictions
Limit access to YouTube itself instead of targeting Shorts alone.
Choose the approach
Choose the approach that matches your device and how much control you need.

Keep useful videos. Reduce mindless scrolling.

dedoom is built around the idea that useful online activity should remain accessible while automatic scrolling becomes easier to interrupt.

Its broader approach combines selective content controls, humorous meme interventions, and intention prompts to help users think about why they are online.

The dedoom mobile app is coming soon. The existing Chrome extension is available for desktop browsers and does not block Shorts inside the native YouTube mobile app.

Ready for a more mindful experience?

Be the first to know when the dedoom mobile companion launches.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does YouTube have a built-in Shorts limit?

Yes. YouTube's official help page describes a Shorts feed limit with a zero-minute option where available. When the limit is reached, a reminder appears that users can dismiss or ignore.

Which Android apps can block YouTube Shorts?

Regain and one sec explicitly document selective Shorts blocking on Android. AppBlock also documents blocking YouTube Shorts through its Android schedules and blocklists. Verify current availability, permissions, and compatibility before installing.

Can Fluid Friction remove Shorts from the native YouTube app on iPhone?

Its iOS version offers filtered browsing through its own browser and native app restrictions through Screen Time. Its browser filtering is not the same as removing Shorts from the native YouTube app.

Does WallHabit support YouTube Shorts blocking on iPhone?

Its App Store listing advertises YouTube Shorts blocking on iPhone and iPad. Check the current version and test the feature on your device.

Is dedoom's mobile app available?

Not yet. The mobile app is coming soon. The current Chrome extension is for desktop browsers and does not modify the YouTube mobile app.

Sources and verification

Last verified: 26 October 2026