How to limit YouTube Shorts on Android
Shorts sits right next to the videos you actually came to watch, which makes it easy to fall into. Here's how to cut back on Shorts and still keep long-form YouTube.
YouTube's built-in reminders
YouTube can nudge you to take a break, and newer versions of the app can also set a time limit for the Shorts feed.
YouTube → Settings → General → Remind me to take a break
These are reminders. You can dismiss them and keep swiping.
Digital Wellbeing app timer
Android's app timer pauses YouTube once you've used up a daily time budget.
Settings → Digital Wellbeing → Dashboard → YouTube → app timer
It blocks all of YouTube, including tutorials, music and videos you meant to watch.
Count Shorts with a daily limit
Best for ShortsRokoReels counts each Short as you swipe to it. When you hit your daily number, only the Shorts feed closes, and regular YouTube videos still play.
Instagram Reels, TikTok, Moj and Josh count towards the same daily total.
Make it easier on yourself
- Subscribe and search instead of browsing. Open YouTube for something specific.
- Watch a few Shorts, then stop. Iris gets worried as you get near your limit, so you notice before you hit it.
- Turn off watch history if you want a less personalised home feed.
Count every reel. Stop when you mean to.
RokoReels is free, with no ads and no account needed. Only the reel feed closes at your limit.
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