You pick up your phone "just for a second," and suddenly, an hour later, you've watched a hundred Reels. I've done it too!  

It's no surprise, considering over 200 billion Reels are watched every single day on Instagram and Facebook. 

If you're anything like me, you may be wondering how to disable reels on Instagram. Well, I have an answer for that. And No, I won’t tell you to delete the app entirely. 

So, if you're ready to ditch the Reels rabbit hole and create a more mindful Instagram experience, let's walk through some practical steps together.

How To Disable Reels On Instagram with BeTimeful: Feedless Instagram

To Disable Reels on Instagram, all you have to do is download BeTimeful on the App Store or Play Store So You USE Instagram WITHOUT getting used by it!

How to Disable Shorts on YouTube?

You can also do the same on YouTube as well for a Distraction-Free Search For Free by using Unhook.

Unhook, which is available on both the App Store and Play Store, blocks your YouTube homepage and recommended videos, so you can search for what you need without getting sidetracked. 

You can still take a short break for a quick scroll, until your time is up.

That was easy, wasn't it? Now, if you want other ways, I've got some alternative ways, but they're harder and might be ineffective as well. But, you can give it a try.

4 Alternative Ways To Disable Instagram Reels

  1. Use Instagram through a browser

Have you thought about using Instagram on your computer or even through your phone's web browser?  

It's funny, but the web version often doesn't shove Reels in your face as much. You can still find them if you go looking, but they won't be popping up in your regular feed like they do in the app.

But here's another thought: you can always use Instagram on your phone without getting used by it. 

Try blocking the app and only using it during your timed breaks.  Set a timer, scroll for a bit, and then close it when your time is up. That way, you're in control, not the other way around!

  1. Use an older version of Instagram (For Android Users)

If you're on Android, there used to be a trick where you could find an older version of the Instagram app (before Reels existed) and install that. 

But honestly, I'd say it's risky – you could end up with security issues or the app might just stop working properly. Plus, Instagram updates all the time, so even if it worked once, it probably won't now.

Instead of that you can also prevent Instagram from automatically updating. This won't get rid of Reels entirely, but it will stop showing you new features. 

Just go to the Play Store, find Instagram, and disable auto-updates in the app's settings, and you’re done.

  1. Hide individual Reels

The simplest thing, and it might actually help over time, is to just tell Instagram you're not interested in Reels.  Whenever one pops up that you don't like, tap those three little dots and choose "Not Interested."  

The more you do that, the less Instagram should show you similar stuff.  It's like training the algorithm!

  1. Tweak Reels Settings (For iPhone Users)

While you can't completely disable Reels on iOS, you can manage them to some extent. Just go to your profile settings and adjust the content preferences. 

Consistently use the 'Not Interested' option on Reels you don't like, then go to Settings>Content preferences>Snooze suggested posts. This can help reduce the number of Reels you see in your feed.  

 

Final Words

So, there you have it! You now have all the helpful tricks, from adjusting simple settings to using BeTimeful for smart Instagram scrolling.  The goal isn't to quit social media completely but to build a better, healthier relationship with it. 

Remember that you're in charge here and not your phone.  Try out the suggestions that seem right for you and see what helps you spend less time scrolling and more time living your life.  

Have a friend who's always glued to Instagram Reels?  Share this with them – you might just be their social media savior!

FAQs

How do I stop watching reels?

To stop watching reels, you can:

  • Limit your time on Instagram.

  • Mute or unfollow accounts that post a lot of reels.

  • Use Instagram's built-in tools to manage your time on the app

Can I turn off reels?

You can't completely turn off reels, but you can hide them from your feed. Try limiting your time on Instagram by muting accounts that post a lot of reels.

How do I turn off most watched reels?

To turn off most watched reels, you can:

  • Hide reels from specific accounts.

  • Use Instagram's "Not Interested" button on reels you don't want to see.

Can we hide reels on Instagram?

You can stop seeing Reels from someone in two ways.  Either make their account restricted, which limits what they can do on your profile, or make a "Close Friends" list and only share your Reels with those people.