How to block Reels and Shorts on iPhone, for free
To block Reels and Shorts on iPhone for free, install StillTabs and open Instagram, YouTube or Facebook from it. Standard mode removes Reels, Shorts, Explore and autoplay inside each platform and keeps your messages, search and the people you follow. No subscription, no account.
Step by step
- Install StillTabs from the App Store. It's free, with no in-app purchases. It needs iOS 16 or later.
- Pick your platforms on the launcher: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Reddit.
- Sign in on each platform's own login page. StillTabs has no account of its own and never sees your password.
- Choose a mode in Settings → Blocking Mode. Standard removes the Reels and Shorts tabs, Explore, "For you" tabs, suggested posts and autoplay. Strict removes short-form video everywhere.
- Add the widget to your Home Screen if you like, so StillTabs is what you reach for instead of the native apps.
Why not just block the apps?
Blocking Instagram also blocks your messages, and blocking YouTube blocks the tutorial you actually needed. Most people don't want less Instagram; they want no Reels. Removing just the addictive parts means you don't have to choose.
What you need to know
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does it cost anything? | No. No subscription, no in-app purchases |
| Do I need to delete Instagram or YouTube? | No. StillTabs never touches your other apps |
| Do I need a StillTabs account? | No |
| Can I use more than one Instagram account? | Yes, up to five per platform |
| Does StillTabs see my messages? | No. Filters run on your phone; pages load straight from the platform |
| Can I turn it back to normal? | Yes, switch to Off any time |
Privacy
StillTabs does not track you. Its App Store privacy label is "Data Not Linked to You", with nothing under "Data Used to Track You" or "Data Linked to You". Usage analytics are off by default and only start if you switch them on; even then they are tied to a random ID on your phone, never to your name or accounts, and never include what you watch, search or write. There are no ads and nothing is sold. Pages load straight from each platform: StillTabs runs no proxy, so it never sees your passwords, messages or what you browse. The privacy policy lists every event in full.
StillTabs is free on the App Store, for iPhone. No subscription, no in-app purchases, no account. iOS 16 or later.
Sources
- StillTabs on the App Store (price, privacy label): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stilltabs-block-reels-shorts/id6761367777
- StillTabs privacy policy: https://stilltabs.com/privacy