Ever open Instagram to answer one DM and look up 40 minutes later, six Reels deep? Yeah. The fix sounds simple: just hide Reels. But the apps that promise to do it work in very different ways, and that difference decides whether you can still actually use Instagram.
The short answer
If you want to keep the real Instagram and YouTube apps and just lose Reels and Shorts, get Scroll Less. It blocks Reels and Shorts right inside the official apps, so your DMs, search, Stories and everything else keep working like normal.
Most of the other apps here don’t touch the real apps at all. They open Instagram and YouTube in their own browser (or in Safari) and hide parts of the website. That works, kind of. But you’re stuck with the web version.
Why “inside the real app” matters
Instagram’s website isn’t the Instagram app. When an app sends you to its own browser, you lose stuff you probably use every day:
- Your real DMs and notifications, the way you’re used to them.
- Posting with music, Close Friends Stories and the full set of posting tools.
- Speed. Reviewers of browser-style blockers often mention slowness and crashes.
With Scroll Less you never leave the official app. Reels and Shorts are blocked. The rest of Instagram and YouTube is just… Instagram and YouTube.
Comparison table
| App | How it works | Works inside the real Instagram / YouTube app? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scroll Less | Blocks Reels and Shorts inside the official Instagram and YouTube apps; DMs, search and everything else keep working | Yes | Anyone who wants the real apps, minus Reels and Shorts |
| WallHabit | Takes you back out when you open the Reels or Shorts feed; hold-a-button-to-unlock app blocking | Yes | People who like hold-to-unlock friction |
| SocialLite | Its own view of the social websites; can lock the official apps and send you there instead | No | Several networks in one browser-style app |
| minulo | In-app browser for 10 networks | No | Covering lots of networks |
| UNDOOMED | Filters each network’s mobile website in its own browser | No | Lots of individual filters |
| ScrollGuard | Safari extension plus filtered web apps | No | Safari users |
| LoomWeb | Social media browser with saved per-site setups | No | Custom per-site setups |
| Awhile | Instagram-only browser | No | Instagram-only users |
| Nope | Safari extension for instagram.com and youtube.com | No | Safari users who only need Instagram and YouTube |
The apps, one by one
Scroll Less
Scroll Less blocks Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts while you use the official apps. The feeds are blocked, so there’s nothing to get sucked into. Everything else stays put: DMs, search, Stories, your own profile, posting.
It also comes with a bunch of extras:
- Optional distraction-free views for Instagram, YouTube and Reddit.
- App blocking sessions for when you want a total break.
- Home and lock screen widgets.
- YouTube comment blocking and a YouTube mini player.
One App Store reviewer who uses Instagram for work put it well: “I can access the features on Instagram I need to for work: commenting on my posts, finding specific posts or accounts and engaging, and responding to messages. But I’m saved from the deadly feeds.”
Best for: anyone who wants the real Instagram and YouTube apps, minus Reels and Shorts.
WallHabit
Watches for the Reels or Shorts feed in the official app and takes you back out. It also has hold-a-button-to-unlock blocking for whole apps.
Best for: people who like hold-to-unlock friction.
SocialLite
Shows Instagram, YouTube and other networks in its own view of the websites. It can lock the official apps and send you to SocialLite instead, with a short “Post Mode” when you need the real app. Since it’s the web version, reviewers mention missing music in posts, Close Friends Stories and video uploads.
Best for: people who want several networks in one browser-style app.
minulo
An in-app browser for 10 networks that hides short-form feeds. Like the other browser apps, it doesn’t change the official apps.
Best for: covering lots of networks.
UNDOOMED
Opens each network’s mobile website in its own browser and filters it. Reviewers mention it can be slow and doesn’t have notifications.
Best for: people who want lots of individual filters.
ScrollGuard
A Safari extension plus filtered web apps. On iPhone it doesn’t change the Instagram app itself; it can redirect you to its web version instead.
Best for: Safari users.
LoomWeb
A social media browser where you save per-site setups to hide Reels, Shorts and For You feeds.
Best for: people who like tinkering with per-site setups.
Awhile
Instagram only. Loads the Instagram website in its own browser and hides Reels, the feed, Explore and Stories.
Best for: people who only use Instagram and are fine with the website.
Nope
A Safari extension for instagram.com and youtube.com. It only works in Safari, not in the apps.
Best for: Safari users who only need Instagram and YouTube.
Opal and one sec
These don’t hide Reels at all. They block or delay the whole app. Great for focus hours. Not great when a friend just DM’d you, because your DMs are blocked too.
How to choose
- Want the real Instagram and YouTube apps, just without Reels and Shorts? Scroll Less.
- Fine using a browser-style app and need lots of networks? minulo or SocialLite.
- Only use Safari? Nope or ScrollGuard.
- Want whole-phone focus blocks? Opal or one sec, alongside Scroll Less.
FAQ
Can iPhone Screen Time block only Reels?
No. Screen Time limits whole apps. It can’t pick out one tab, so blocking Instagram also blocks your DMs.
Will my DMs still work with Scroll Less?
Yes. You’re using the official Instagram app, so DMs, search and the rest work like normal. Only Reels are blocked.
Do I have to stop using the Instagram app?
Nope. That’s the point of Scroll Less. Keep the app, lose the Reels.
Does it work for YouTube Shorts too?
Yes. Scroll Less blocks Shorts inside the official YouTube app, and you can still search and watch regular videos.
Get Scroll Less
Keep the real Instagram and YouTube apps and drop the feeds that eat your evening. Get Scroll Less on the App Store. Subscription or one-time lifetime purchase; see the App Store for current pricing.