YouTube is finally giving users a way to opt out of its most addictive format. The platform has rolled out a new update to its time management tools that allows users to set their Shorts limit to zero minutes, effectively removing Shorts from the app altogether on both iOS and Android.
Originally introduced in October, the Shorts timer previously had a minimum limit of 15 minutes. In January, YouTube expanded the feature as part of its parental controls, teasing a zero-minute option “coming soon.”
That option is now live for parents and gradually rolling out to all users, according to YouTube spokesperson Makenzie Spiller.
The impact is simple but powerful: once the limit is reached, the Shorts tab stops showing videos and displays a notification saying you’ve “reached your Shorts feed limit.” In testing, it goes even further, Shorts also disappear from the Home feed, meaning you can effectively ignore the format entirely.
It’s a small feature with big implications. At a time when platforms are doubling down on short-form video to drive engagement, YouTube is quietly acknowledging the other side of the equation: fatigue.
Whether this becomes a widely used tool or just a niche setting for the self-disciplined remains to be seen. But culturally, it signals something bigger, users don’t just want more content, they want more control.
How to turn off Shorts:
Go to Settings → Time Management → Toggle “Shorts feed limit” → Set to 0 minutes.
