Short version: YouTube doesn't give you a real "off" switch for Shorts. Every native trick is temporary. Here's each method, what it actually does, and the one approach that disables Shorts permanently.
Desktop: built-in options (all temporary)
- Collapse the Shorts shelf. Click the × or chevron on the Shorts row on your homepage. It hides for the session and returns later.
- "Not interested" on Shorts. Reduces the personalized Shorts feed; doesn't remove the shelves.
- Pause watch history (Settings → History & privacy). Thins out personalized Shorts but leaves the shelves on home, subscriptions, and search.
None of these are permanent. As of 2026 there is no YouTube setting that removes Shorts for good.
Desktop: the permanent method
A Manifest V3 browser extension is the only durable fix. It strips the Shorts shelves from every page and sends the /shorts player to the normal watch view — automatically, every time.
Blokari removes Shorts and, if you want, filters the low-quality channels behind your feed at the same time (AI farms, clickbait, propaganda). Install it, open settings, reload YouTube — the Shorts row is gone from home, subscriptions, and search, and stays gone.
Android & iPhone
The app is more locked down:
- Hide the Shorts shelf: tap the three dots on the Shorts row → "Hide." It returns over time.
- Pause watch history: reduces the Shorts feed.
There is no permanent disable in the app, and extensions don't run there. Two things still help on mobile: watch in a mobile browser that supports extensions, and train your account on desktop. YouTube's "Don't recommend channel" is account-level, so blocking the channels behind unwanted Shorts on desktop (Blokari can do this automatically) makes them surface less in your mobile Shorts feed too — on the same Google account.
YouTube TV / smart TV
On TV your only lever is "Not interested" on Shorts and a restricted/kids profile. No permanent Shorts disable exists on TV.
What actually works
| Method | Permanent | Removes all shelves | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collapse shelf | ❌ | partial | all |
| "Not interested" | ❌ | ❌ | all |
| Pause watch history | ❌ | partial | all |
| Browser extension | ✅ | ✅ | desktop |
If you want Shorts gone permanently, do it on desktop with an extension. Everything YouTube offers natively is, by design, a temporary dismissal — not an off switch.
FAQ
Can you permanently disable YouTube Shorts?
YouTube has no built-in setting that disables Shorts permanently — every native option (collapse shelf, "Not interested", watch history off) is temporary or partial. A browser extension is the only way to remove Shorts permanently on desktop.
How do I disable Shorts on Android and iPhone?
In the app you can tap the three dots on the Shorts shelf and choose "Hide," but it returns. Pausing watch history reduces the Shorts feed. There's no permanent off switch in the app; for that, filter on desktop or use a browser that supports extensions.
Does turning off watch history disable Shorts?
It reduces the personalized Shorts feed but doesn't remove the Shorts shelves from the homepage, subscriptions, or search. It helps, but it isn't a full disable.
What's the most reliable way to turn Shorts off?
A Manifest V3 browser extension that removes the Shorts shelves and redirects the /shorts player. It applies every time you load YouTube, with no resetting.