Instagram has no setting that turns Reels off, so on a computer the reliable way is a browser extension that shuts the Reels page. I've had it does that in Chrome, Edge, Brave and Arc: with Instagram set to No feeds, instagram.com/reels, Explore and the home feed are shut, while a post someone sends you, a profile you look up and your DMs still work.
Can you turn off Reels in Instagram's own settings?
Not at the time of writing. Instagram lets you shape Reels, but not remove them. What it does offer:
- Following and Favorites views. Instagram lets you switch the home feed to show only accounts you follow, newest first, or only the accounts you mark as favorites. It is a calmer view, but Reels and Explore are still one click away, and the app tends to open on the regular feed again.
- Not interested. You can mark a reel as not interesting, which changes what it suggests. It does not reduce how many reels you see.
- Time reminders. The phone app has a daily time reminder in its settings. It is a reminder you can dismiss, not a lock.
These are worth using. They just don't stop the scroll engine from being there whenever you open the site.
How do I block Instagram Reels with I've had it?
- Add the extension from the install page. It works in Chrome, Edge, Brave and Arc on a computer.
- Go through setup. Instagram starts on No feeds, which is what you want.
- Check that Messages always open is ticked for Instagram (it is by default).
- Open
instagram.com/reelsin a new tab. You should see a quiet full-screen page saying the feed is shut, and any video stops playing.
You can change Instagram's mode at any time from the extension's popup or your dashboard. More on the four modes in site modes.
Which Instagram pages are shut, and which still work?
The extension sorts every Instagram address into feed, messages or a specific page. With No feeds:
| Instagram page | Address | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Home feed | instagram.com/ | Shut |
| Reels | instagram.com/reels | Shut |
| Explore | instagram.com/explore | Shut |
| DMs | instagram.com/direct | Open as usual, not counted |
| A post or reel opened from a link elsewhere | /p/..., /reel/... | Opens for 30 seconds |
| A profile, post or search you go to on purpose | any other page | A short pause, then up to two minutes |
A link from somewhere else, like Google, an email or a chat app, gets a quick pass: it opens for 30 seconds, up to four times an hour per site. So a single reel a friend sends you outside Instagram still plays. When you type an address or move around inside Instagram, you get the intent gate: a short breath, a reason, then a two-minute window for that one thing.
The Reels feed itself stays shut even while a quick pass is running. A quick pass covers the thing you arrived at, never a feed.
What if I want Reels sometimes, just not all evening?
Pick a softer mode for Instagram:
- Ask first opens the feed after a 15-second breath and a reason, for two or five minutes. Specific pages open for 2, 5 or 15 minutes.
- Daily limit lets Instagram work as usual for a set number of minutes a day (15 by default), then the feeds shut until midnight. Messages are not counted if Messages always open is on.
If you need Reels once on a shut day, the small link under the button lets you unlock the feed for 10 minutes after typing one sentence and waiting 60 seconds.
Does this block Reels on my phone?
No. The extension works in desktop browsers only. The I've had it phone app shows your numbers from every device and lets you change your plan, but it does not block inside the Instagram app yet.
On a phone, the honest options today are your phone's own tools: Screen Time on iPhone and Digital Wellbeing on Android can put a daily limit on the Instagram app. They limit the whole app, DMs included, rather than just Reels. Many people find that keeping the phone app limited and using Instagram on a computer, with the feed shut, covers most of what they need.
What does it cost?
The first 10 days are free. A card is taken at checkout and nothing is charged until day 10, then it is $2.99 a week. Details are in pricing and the trial.
Questions
How do I hide Reels on Instagram desktop?
Instagram has no setting to hide Reels. Add the I've had it extension to Chrome, Edge, Brave or Arc and set Instagram to No feeds: the Reels page, Explore and the home feed are shut, and DMs and posts keep working.
Can I still watch a reel someone sends me?
Yes. A reel opened from a link outside Instagram opens for 30 seconds. One opened from inside Instagram gets a short pause and a two-minute window.
Will blocking Reels also block my Instagram messages?
No. DMs at instagram.com/direct stay open as long as Messages always open is ticked, which it is by default. They are not counted toward any limit.
Does blocking Reels work in Safari or Firefox?
Not yet. It works in Chrome, Edge, Brave and Arc on a computer.
What if Reels still loads?
Check that Instagram isn't set to Untouched in the popup, then refresh the tab. If it still loads, Instagram may have changed its pages: see troubleshooting or email me the address.