YouTube added a zero‑minute timer in its mobile app’s Time Management settings, effectively removing Shorts from users’ feeds[1].
The change matters because it gives people a concrete tool to curb screen‑time driven by short‑form videos, a format many say hijacks attention and makes it harder to stick to productivity goals[2].
To activate the feature, users open the Settings menu, select “Time Management,” and scroll to the “Shorts” row. Tapping the timer and choosing “zero minutes” tells the app to stop serving Shorts in the home feed. The option appears only in the iOS and Android versions of the YouTube app, not on the desktop site[2][3].
Reports of the update began appearing on April 16, 2026, after YouTube pushed the change to both platforms[3][4]. The rollout was confirmed by CNET and multiple tech outlets, which noted the setting is part of a broader effort to give users finer control over how long they spend on the service[2][5].
YouTube says the move is intended to help users manage digital wellbeing by letting them “turn off most Shorts” on mobile devices[2]. By setting the timer to zero minutes, the Shorts shelf disappears, and the algorithm no longer recommends short‑form clips in the main feed[1].
Not all observers agree that the feature fully disables Shorts. A smaller tech site argued that users can still encounter Shorts through search results or channel pages, suggesting the timer only hides the dedicated feed rather than eliminating the content entirely[6].
Early user feedback is mixed. Some praise the ability to silence the endless scroll, noting a noticeable drop in accidental video consumption. Others point out that the setting is hidden in a submenu and that the lack of a desktop option limits its usefulness for people who watch YouTube on larger screens[2][3].
YouTube has not announced plans to extend the zero‑minute timer to its web interface, leaving a gap for users who split their viewing across devices. The company’s broader time‑management suite, which includes daily watch limits and bedtime reminders, remains fully functional on both mobile and desktop platforms[2].
“Set the limit to zero minutes, and Shorts disappear from your feed.”
By offering a zero‑minute timer, YouTube is responding to growing concerns about the addictive nature of short‑form video. The feature empowers mobile‑only users to reduce exposure, but its limited scope—working only on phones and tablets and potentially leaving Shorts accessible via search—means it is a partial solution rather than a full shutdown of the format.
