Do you feel annoyed or overwhelmed every time Facebook shows you Reels — short video clips that pop up when you’re scrolling? You’re definitely not alone. Many people find Reels distracting, time‑consuming, and not what they joined Facebook for. Instead of seeing updates from friends and family, your feed might feel like a non‑stop video carousel. That can be frustrating, especially if your goal is just to check messages or see real posts.
The problem is that Facebook does not currently let users completely turn off Reels with one simple switch. Meta — the company that owns Facebook — has integrated Reels deeply into the app, and sometimes even all Facebook videos are now classified as Reels. That’s because Facebook’s algorithm pushes them as a priority in your feed.
But there are proven ways to stop seeing them as much as possible, control how they appear, or change your experience so Reels are far less intrusive. This guide breaks every method down into simple steps you can follow — even if you’re completely new to Facebook settings.
Let’s dive in.
Why You Still See Reels (And What Facebook Wants You to Know)
Before we dive into fixes, it helps to understand why Reels show up so often:
- Facebook’s system recommends Reels based on what you watch, like, or interact with. Like it or not, the algorithm learns your behavior to show more similar videos.
- Meta has been rolling out changes so all videos on Facebook are treated as Reels — even long ones. This means they’re now more deeply integrated than before.
- There is no official toggle that completely disables Reels — at least not yet.
So our job is to use all the tools available to minimize or avoid Reels as much as possible.
1. Use the Facebook Website Instead of the App
One of the easiest ways to avoid Reels is to use Facebook in a web browser (on your phone or a computer) instead of the Facebook mobile app.
Why this helps
The web version does not push Reels into your main News Feed the way the app does. You will still be able to see posts, statuses, photos, and updates — just fewer forced video suggestions.
How to do this
- Open Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or any browser.
- Go to facebook.com and log in.
- Use Facebook like normal — you’ll notice fewer Reels.
Note: Reels might still be accessible if you click the watch or video tab, but they won’t hijack your main feed like in the app. Kapwing
2. Hide Reels You Don’t Want to See
You can control what Reels appear by hiding those you don’t like. Tapping “Hide” or “See Less” trains Facebook’s algorithm, while muting or unfollowing frequent posters reduces unwanted Reels in your feed over time.
How to hide a Reel
- Scroll until you see a Reel you don’t like.
- Tap the three dots (⋮ or …) on or near the Reel.
- Choose Hide reel or See less.
This trains the algorithm to show you fewer similar Reels over time.
Tip: If particular creators post too many Reels you don’t like, you can also mute them or unfollow them. This stops most of their content from showing up.
3. Turn Off Auto‑Play for Reels and Videos
One of the main reasons Reels can feel overwhelming is that they often play automatically as you scroll, sometimes with sound, grabbing your attention even when you didn’t intend to watch. This constant autoplay can be distracting, interrupt your focus, and use up your mobile data without you realizing it.
Fortunately, Facebook lets you turn off autoplay for videos, including Reels, so they only play when you choose to tap them.
Steps for Facebook App (Android & iPhone)
- Open Facebook and tap the Menu (three lines).
- Go to Settings & Privacy → Settings.
- Scroll down and find Media or Media and Contacts.
- Tap Autoplay videos.
- Select Never Autoplay Videos.
Now videos (including Reels) will only start if you tap them — not automatically.
Why this matters
This matters because turning off autoplay ensures that videos don’t start playing unexpectedly with sound, which can be distracting. It also helps you focus better while scrolling through your feed and reduces unnecessary data usage, making your Facebook experience calmer and more efficient.
4. Hide the Video / Reels Icon in Your Tab Bar
Many people find themselves accidentally opening Reels simply because the Reels or Video tab is placed prominently in Facebook’s navigation bar. Even if you didn’t intend to watch short videos, one tap can pull you into a stream of endless content, eating up your time and attention.
The good news is that Facebook allows you to customize your navigation bar, so you can hide the Reels or Video icon altogether. While this doesn’t completely remove Reels from the platform, it significantly reduces the chances of accidentally opening them, helping you stay focused on the posts and updates that truly matter to you.
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines).
- Go to Settings & Privacy → Navigation Bar.
- Choose Customize the Navigation Bar.
- Hide the Video / Reels icon.
This won’t remove Reels entirely, but it reduces the chance you’ll accidentally open them.
5. Use Facebook Lite Instead of the Main App
If you prefer a simpler, less distracting Facebook experience, Facebook Lite is an excellent alternative. Unlike the main app, Facebook Lite is a stripped-down version that focuses on essential features like your News Feed, messages, and notifications, without aggressively promoting Reels or other short videos. This means you’ll see far fewer Reels in your feed, helping you stay focused on meaningful content.
Additionally, Facebook Lite uses less storage and consumes less mobile data, making it ideal for older devices or slower internet connections while still giving you full access to your account.
How to switch
- Search for Facebook Lite in your app store.
- Install it.
- Log in with your regular Facebook account.
Most people report seeing far fewer Reels in Lite than in the main app.
6. Adjust Your News Feed Preferences
Facebook’s algorithm decides what appears in your feed, which often means Reels get prioritized over regular posts from friends and family. By adjusting your News Feed preferences, you can take control of what you see, ensuring that important updates appear first while Reels and less relevant content are pushed lower. This lets you enjoy a more personalized, distraction-free browsing experience, focusing on the posts that truly matter to you.
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap Menu → Settings & Privacy → Settings.
- Scroll to News Feed Preferences.
- Choose:
- Prioritize who to see first
- Unfollow people/pages that post mostly Reels
This helps make your feed look more like what you want.
7. Muting or Unfollowing Pages Heavy on Reels
Some pages or individuals post Reels so often that your feed becomes crowded with videos you don’t want to see. By muting or unfollowing these pages, you can reduce unwanted content, focus on posts you care about, and enjoy a cleaner, less distracting Facebook experience.
How to mute/unfollow
- Open the profile/page.
- Tap the three dots near their name.
- Select Unfollow or Mute.
This stops most of their content — including Reels — without unfriending them.
8. Browser Extensions (Advanced)
If you mainly use Facebook on a desktop or laptop, browser extensions offer a powerful way to block or hide Reels entirely. These tools are ideal for users who are comfortable installing add-ons and customizing their browsing experience. Using extensions can make Facebook cleaner, more focused, and less distracting.
Common types of extensions include:
- UI element blockers: Hide specific sections like Reels from your feed.
- Ad blockers with custom filters: Allow you to block Reels and other unwanted content.
- Feed customizers: Let you control what type of posts appear first in your feed.
Important: These solutions work only on desktop browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. They do not work on mobile apps, so you’ll still need app-based strategies if you access Facebook from your phone.
Why You Still Can’t Fully Disable Reels (Yet)
The truth is, while you can significantly reduce and hide Reels, there is currently no single “Turn off Reels forever” button on Facebook. This is because the platform is designed to prioritize short-form videos as part of its core user experience. Even when you hide Reels or limit them in your feed, Facebook’s algorithm continues to recommend videos it thinks you might enjoy based on your interactions, likes, and watch history.
However, by combining multiple strategies—such as hiding unwanted Reels, turning off autoplay, customizing your feed preferences, and using Lite or web versions—you can dramatically reduce how often Reels appear. For most users, these steps are more than enough to regain control over their feed and enjoy a calmer, distraction-free Facebook experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I turn off Reels completely on Facebook?
No, Facebook does not currently allow you to fully disable Reels. You can only reduce their presence by hiding unwanted Reels, turning off autoplay, or using Facebook Lite or the web version to limit video content in your feed.
Do Reels show up on the Facebook web?
Reels generally do not appear in the main News Feed when using Facebook on a browser. The web version prioritizes regular posts, photos, and updates, making it a less video-focused experience compared to the mobile app.
Will deleting the app stop Reels?
Deleting and reinstalling the Facebook app does not remove Reels, as they are integrated into the platform’s feed system. To see fewer Reels, use alternatives like Facebook Lite or access Facebook via a web browser instead.
Can I tell Facebook what Reels I don’t want?
Yes, you can train Facebook’s algorithm by tapping “Hide” or “See Less” on individual Reels. Doing this consistently helps the platform show fewer similar videos and gradually reduces the Reels appearing in your feed.
Does turning off autoplay stop Reels?
Turning off autoplay does not completely remove Reels, but it prevents videos from playing automatically. This reduces distractions, stops unexpected sounds, and allows you to choose which Reels or videos to watch, saving time and mobile data.
Conclusion:
We know how frustrating it can be when Reels keep appearing in your feed — especially when all you want is a simple, clean Facebook experience. You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by short‑form videos.
While Facebook doesn’t yet let you fully turn off Reels with one click, the good news is that you have many tools at your disposal — from hiding Reels, disabling autoplay, tweaking feed settings, to using Lite or the web version. Combine several methods, and you’ll notice a much calmer, more focused feed that prioritizes real updates over endless videos.