Instagram Reels now account for 50% of users time on the platform, with over 140 billion Reels plays daily. This rapid rise in short video content has sparked concern over its impact on user well-being and focus. But what if you could take control of your Instagram experience? In this article, we’ll share practical ways to disable or limit Reels, giving you the tools to customize your feed and reclaim your time. Stay with us to learn how to enjoy Instagram on your own terms.
Why Do Users Want to Disable Reels?
For many, Instagram Reels can be a source of frustration. Whether it’s the time spent on endless scrolling or the mental impact, users are looking for ways to limit or disable them. Here’s a deeper look into the reasons why some people choose to turn off Reels.
Distraction and Time Consumption
Reels are designed to keep you engaged, often leading to hours of scrolling. This constant distraction can pull users away from more meaningful activities, reducing productivity and causing digital burnout over time.
Social Comparison and Anxiety
The carefully curated content in Reels can trigger social comparison, making users feel inadequate or anxious about their appearance or life, leading to negative mental health effects, especially when comparing to others’ highlight reels.
Preference for Photos or Static Content
Some users miss Instagram’s original photo-sharing format, preferring the simplicity of images over the ever-evolving nature of short-form video content, which may feel overwhelming or less meaningful for them.
Data Usage Concerns
Watching Reels consumes a significant amount of data, especially in high-quality resolutions. For users with limited data plans or slower internet connections, this can lead to higher costs or frustrating browsing experiences.
Dopamine Overload
The fast-paced, attention-grabbing nature of Reels provides frequent dopamine hits, but this can lead to overstimulation. Users may become hooked on the instant gratification, making it harder to focus or feel satisfied with less immediate rewards.
Decreased Attention Span
The rapid succession of videos and constant novelty offered by Reels can erode attention spans. This makes it harder for users to focus on tasks that require sustained concentration or engage in longer, deeper content.
Social Comparison and Anxiety
The endless cycle of curated, idealized content on Reels can increase social pressure. Users may feel that their own lives don’t measure up, leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction with their real-world selves.
Can You Disable Reels on Instagram?
As of 2025, Instagram doesn’t provide an option to fully disable Reels. Yes, you read that right—despite many articles and YouTube videos claiming otherwise. These sources might promise solutions that simply aren’t available, leaving you with only limited options to reduce Reels on your feed. While you can’t completely turn them off, there are methods to minimize their appearance, allowing you to tailor your Instagram experience to better suit your preferences.
How to Limit Reels on Instagram: Simple Methods to Take Control
Yes, there are a few ways to limit Instagram Reels, though Instagram doesn’t offer a direct option to fully turn off the feature. Here are some methods you can use to limit your exposure to Reels:
Mute or Hide Reels from Your Feed
While you can’t completely disable Reels, you can mute or hide Reels in your feed. If you don’t want to see Reels but still want to use the app, you can mute specific accounts or even the Reels section in your feed.
Mute Accounts: If you’re seeing Reels from specific accounts, go to their profile, tap on the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner, and select Mute. You can choose to mute posts, stories, or both.
Hide Reels: If you see a Reel in your feed that you don’t want to see again, tap the three dots on the Reel and select Not Interested. This helps train the algorithm to show you less of that type of content.
Disable Auto-Play for Reels
Although Instagram doesn’t provide a direct option to disable auto-play for Reels, you can limit this feature by adjusting the app’s data usage settings. This method helps reduce video auto-play, especially when you’re using mobile data. Here’s a step-by-step guide for both iPhone and Android users:
For iPhone Users
Step 1: Tap on your profile picture in the bottom-right corner, then tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner. Select “Settings and Privacy”.
Step 2: Scroll down and “Tap Account”.
Step 3: Under the “Account” section, select Cellular Data Use.
Step 4: Turn on the “Use Less Data toggle”.
This setting ensures videos like Reels don’t auto-play when you’re on mobile data, conserving both bandwidth and battery.
For Android Users
Step 1: Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right, then tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right. Choose “Settings and Privacy” from the menu.
Step 2: Scroll down and “select Account”.
Step 3: Tap Data Saver under the “Account” section.
Step 4: Toggle on the “Data Saver” option.
For added control, you can also toggle off High-Quality Uploads to further reduce data usage. This adjustment won’t completely stop Reels from auto-playing, but it limits them when using mobile data. Videos will still auto-play on Wi-Fi unless you manually pause them. If you frequently use mobile data, this feature is particularly useful for reducing distractions and conserving your resources.
Clear Reels-Related Search History
If you’re seeing Reels that align with certain topics or trends, it’s likely that Instagram’s algorithm is recommending them based on your past interactions or search history. Clearing your search history can help reset the algorithm and reduce the types of Reels suggested to you. Follow these steps to clear your search history on both iPhone and Android:
For iPhone Users
Step 1: Launch the Instagram app and go to your profile by tapping on your “profile picture” in the bottom-right corner.
Step 2: Tap the “three horizontal lines” in the top-right corner of your profile page to open the menu.
Step 3: In the menu, scroll down and select “Settings.” From the Settings menu, tap “Security”.
Step 4: Under the Data and History section, tap “Search History” (it may appear as Clear Search History depending on the version of Instagram).
Step 5: You’ll see a list of your recent searches. To remove all search history, tap “Clear All” at the top-right corner of the screen, then confirm by selecting “Clear All again”.
For Android Users
Step 1: Open the Instagram app and go to your profile by tapping your “profile picture” in the bottom-right corner.
Step 2: Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner, then select “Settings and Privacy”.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap Security under the “Privacy and Security” section.
Step 4: Tap “Search History” (or Clear Search History) under the Data and History section.
Step 5: You’ll see a list of your previous searches. Tap “Clear All” in the top-right corner and confirm by selecting “Clear All” again.
By clearing your search history, Instagram will have less data to personalize Reels suggestions, and you’ll start seeing fewer Reels related to past searches. This can help make your feed more relevant to your current interests and preferences.
Related Article: How to Beat X (Twitter) Algorithm
Use the “Focus” Mode or Screen Time Tools
To avoid being distracted by Reels or other content, you can use your phone’s built-in Focus Mode (iOS) or Digital Wellbeing (Android) features:
Focus Mode (iOS): Allows you to temporarily block access to certain apps, including Instagram, to reduce distractions.
Digital Wellbeing (Android): Lets you set app time limits or use the “Focus Mode” to limit time spent on Instagram.
Switch to the “Following” Feed
Instagram now offers a Following feed, which lets you see posts only from the accounts you follow, excluding Reels or posts from the Explore page:
Step 1: Open your “Instagram feed” and tap on the “Instagram logo” at the top.
Step 2: Select Following from the options to “view posts” exclusively from people you follow.
Consider Using Third-Party Apps
There are also third-party apps or browser extensions (for using Instagram on the web) that can help modify the Instagram experience by blocking or hiding certain features, including Reels. However, these tools are unofficial and may not be supported by Instagram. While these methods can’t fully disable Reels, they can help you reduce exposure to them or customize your Instagram feed to limit distractions.
Switch to an Older App Version
Downloading an older version of Instagram, where Reels weren’t introduced, can temporarily help avoid the feature. However, this method may pose security risks and compatibility issues, and Instagram will eventually prompt updates that reintroduce Reels. It’s a short-term workaround, and caution is advised when using third-party app stores.
FAQs
How to Disable Reels from Instagram Explore?
While you can’t fully remove Reels from the Explore page, you can reduce their visibility by tapping Not Interested on Reels you don’t want to see. This works on both iPhone and Android, helping the algorithm prioritize content you’re more likely to engage with.
Does Disabling Reels Impact My Account?
No, the workarounds mentioned, like hiding or muting Reels, won’t affect your account performance or engagement metrics. These actions simply personalize your feed to better suit your preferences.
Will Instagram Add a Feature to Disable Reels?
Currently, Instagram doesn’t offer a direct feature to disable Reels. However, Instagram is always evolving, and it’s possible that more customization options will be introduced in the future to give users greater control over their feed.
Conclusion
While Instagram doesn’t offer a direct option to disable Reels, there are several workarounds to reduce their visibility and tailor your feed. By muting accounts, hiding Reels, or using “Not Interested,” you can create a more personalized experience. Although there are limitations now, Instagram’s continual feature updates could bring more customization options in the future, helping you manage your Instagram experience even more effectively.