Cool SnailHow to block YouTube Shorts on Android without losing YouTube
YouTube has no setting that turns Shorts off. On Android, the way to block only Shorts is an app that watches for the Shorts player and takes you out of it, such as Cool Snail (free). Long videos, subscriptions and search keep working. Android's own app timer blocks the whole YouTube app instead.
Why it's hard
Shorts live inside the YouTube app: a tab in the bottom bar, a shelf on the home feed, and results mixed into search. There is no on/off switch for them in YouTube's settings, so you can't remove Shorts without removing YouTube, unless something steps in when the Shorts player opens.
Your options, honestly
| Option | What it does | What it doesn't |
|---|---|---|
| "Not interested" on the Shorts shelf | Hides the shelf on Home for a while | The Shorts tab and Shorts in search stay |
| Turning off watch history | Empties the Home feed recommendations | The Shorts tab still plays endlessly |
| Digital Wellbeing app timer | Pauses YouTube after a set time | Pauses all of YouTube, long videos included |
| Cool Snail | Takes you out of the Shorts player about a second after it opens | Android only; doesn't touch YouTube Music |
How to block YouTube Shorts with Cool Snail
- Install Cool Snail from Google Play. It's free, with no trial and no account, for Android 8.0 or later.
- Turn on its Accessibility access. The app explains why and opens the right setting. Android only lets an app notice the Shorts player through this service; Cool Snail uses it only inside the social apps it supports, and what it sees is processed on your phone.
- Open a Short to check. You get a second of grace, then you're back where you were, with a small "I'm watching you" note.
- Optional: give YouTube a daily limit and set open hours. When the time is up, YouTube closes. On the free plan, one ad buys 5 more minutes if you really need them.
What keeps working
- Long videos, your subscriptions, playlists, search and comments.
- A Short a friend sends you on WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger or Signal: it plays, with a "Sent by a friend" note.
- youtube.com/shorts opened in Chrome takes you out too.
Limits you should know
Cool Snail recognises Shorts by how the YouTube app is built. If YouTube redesigns the Shorts player, detection can stop until Cool Snail is updated. It's Android only for now.
Questions
Can I turn off Shorts in YouTube's settings?
No. YouTube has no setting that turns Shorts off. Marking the Shorts shelf as not interested hides it on Home for a while, but the Shorts tab and Shorts in search stay.
Does blocking Shorts affect normal YouTube videos?
Not with Cool Snail. It only reacts to the Shorts player. Long videos, subscriptions and search work as usual.
Does it work on YouTube in the browser?
Yes, in Chrome on Android: opening youtube.com/shorts takes you out as well.
Cool Snail is free on Android: it takes you out of Shorts, Reels and TikTok and leaves the rest of each app alone.
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