YouTube users get option to set their Shorts time limit to zero minutes
Source: Hacker News
YouTube Shorts time limit update
YouTube’s time management settings now include an option to set a zero‑minute time limit on Shorts, effectively removing them from the app on Android and iOS. This option updates the Shorts timer YouTube originally announced in October 2024 (source); the lowest previous setting was 15 minutes.
The feature was expanded in January 2025 (source) to give parents control over how long their kids spend scrolling through Shorts, with a “zero minutes” option “coming soon.” According to YouTube spokesperson Makenzie Spiller, the zero‑minute timer is now live for all users and is being rolled out to everyone, including regular adult accounts.
Regardless of age, the timer can be a handy tool for anyone who wants to limit scrolling. When the Shorts tab reaches the set limit, it no longer shows videos and instead displays a notification that you’ve “reached your Shorts feed limit.” In testing, hitting the time limit also removes Shorts from the Home screen, so setting the timer to zero effectively hides Shorts entirely.
How to enable the timer
- Open the YouTube app.
- Go to Settings → Time Management.
- Toggle on Shorts feed limit.
- Select the desired time, including the new 0 minutes option.