In a move many users have been waiting for, YouTube is finally offering a way to stop Shorts altogether.
The update builds on earlier efforts to control screen time and tackle short-form video addiction.
After heavily promoting Shorts across its platform, Google is now giving users a way to switch them off completely.
The company has introduced a 0-minute daily timer for Shorts, effectively disabling the feature. Once enabled, users will see a “You reached your Shorts feed limit” message, preventing further scrolling.
This option was initially promised in October 2025 as part of parental control improvements and is now rolling out more broadly, according to The Verge.
From limiting to disabling shorts
Previously, users could only set a daily limit ranging from 15 minutes to two hours.
Now, the addition of a zero-minute option takes things a step further. Instead of just reducing screen time, users can fully block Shorts from their main feed.
This change applies not only to parental controls but also to individual users looking to manage their own viewing habits.
How feature works
To enable the Shorts limit, users can:
- Step-by-step
- Open the YouTube app
- Go to Settings
- Select Time Management
- Turn on the Shorts Feed Limit toggle
- Set the timer to 0 minutes (if available)
If the 0-minute option hasn’t rolled out yet, users can still choose limits starting from 15 minutes up to two hours.
What changes — and what doesn’t
While the update removes Shorts from the main feed, it does not eliminate them entirely.
What gets blocked
- Endless Shorts scrolling
- Shorts appearing in the main home feed
What still remains
- Shorts in the Subscriptions tab
- Individual short videos accessible directly
This means users still have access to short content, but without the addictive scroll experience.
The update may appear minor, but it directly targets one of the biggest concerns around short-form content: endless scrolling.
For parents, it adds stronger control over children’s screen time. For regular users, it offers a practical way to cut down on distractions without deleting the app entirely.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI