You're scrolling through Facebook to see if your cousin finally posted those wedding photos. Suddenly, a loud, auto-playing video of someone doing a "dance challenge" or deep-frying a whole block of cheese blasts through your speakers. It’s annoying. You didn't ask for it. Now you’re wondering, can I turn off reels on Facebook, or are you stuck with this TikTok-lite experience forever?
Honestly, the answer isn't what most people want to hear. Meta is obsessed with engagement metrics. They want you watching short-form video because it keeps you on the app longer than a text post ever could. Because of that, there is no "magic button" in the settings that completely deletes the Reels feature from your interface. Meta hasn't built one, and they likely never will.
But don't give up yet. While you can't nuking the feature entirely, you can definitely hide it, minimize it, and make your feed feel like 2015 again if you’re willing to jump through a few hoops.
Why You Can't Just Flip a Switch
Facebook is a business. In 2026, their business model is almost entirely dependent on competing with platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. When Mark Zuckerberg talks about the future of the platform, he’s talking about AI-driven recommendations. That means Reels.
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If they gave everyone a "Turn Off Reels" button, their ad revenue would take a massive hit. Short-form video ads are the highest-paying inventory they have right now. So, when you ask can I turn off reels on Facebook, the technical answer is "no," but the practical answer is "you can manage them into submission."
The platform is designed to be "sticky." Every time you swipe, you're feeding an algorithm. If you stop seeing Reels, you might actually close the app and go for a walk. Meta doesn't want that. They want you in the loop.
How to Hide Reels from Your Main Feed
Even though there’s no master kill switch, you can significantly reduce their presence. Most people just scroll past them, which actually tells the algorithm "I saw this." Instead, you need to be proactive.
Use the "Show Less" Feature
This is your best friend. When you see a Reels tray in your Feed, look for the three dots (...) in the upper right corner of the section. Click that. You’ll see an option that says Show Less.
Does it work instantly? Kinda. It tells the AI that this specific type of content isn't your vibe. If you do this consistently for a week, the Reels tray will start appearing much further down your feed. Eventually, it might disappear for days at a time. It’s a game of persistence. You have to train the app to realize you aren't the target audience.
The "Feeds" Tab Hack
Most people forget the "Feeds" tab even exists. On the mobile app, there’s a shortcut bar (usually at the bottom on iPhone or top on Android). If you click on the "Feeds" icon, you can select Friends, Favorites, or Groups.
This is the secret. When you view Facebook through the "Friends" feed, it filters out almost all the algorithmic junk. No "Suggested for You." No random "Reels." Just the stuff your actual friends posted. It’s a much cleaner experience. It resets the app to its original purpose: social networking, not entertainment consumption.
Can I Turn Off Reels on Facebook Desktop?
The desktop version of Facebook is actually a bit easier to manage than the mobile app. On a browser, you have the power of extensions.
If you use Chrome or Firefox, there are several "FB Overlay Remover" or "Social Fixer" extensions. These are third-party tools that literally scrub the code of the page before it hits your eyes. They can hide the Reels section, the "Stories" bar, and even those annoying "Sponsored" posts.
Just be careful. Meta frequently updates their site code to break these extensions. It’s a constant cat-and-mouse game. One day your feed is clean, the next day the Reels are back because Facebook changed a single line of CSS.
Does the "Old Layout" Still Work?
A few years ago, you could use browser tricks to force the "Old Facebook" layout. Those days are gone. Meta has fully migrated everyone to the new framework. If you see a site promising to "Restore 2010 Facebook," it’s probably a scam or a phishing attempt. Stick to reputable ad-blockers or element-hiding extensions.
Dealing with Auto-Play (The Real Annoyance)
If your main gripe isn't the existence of Reels, but the fact that they start blaring audio the second they appear, you can fix that right now.
- Go to your Settings & Privacy.
- Tap on Media.
- Under Autoplay, select Never Autoplay Videos.
This is a life-saver. Now, when you scroll past a Reel, it stays a static image. It doesn't use your data. It doesn't scare your cat. It just sits there, ignored, as it should be.
The "Basic" Facebook Workaround
There is one more way to avoid Reels, but it’s a bit hardcore. You can use the mobile browser version of Facebook (m.facebook.com) instead of the app.
The mobile web version is stripped down. It’s clunky. It feels like 2012. But because it’s a lighter version of the platform, it often omits the heavy, data-sucking Reels interface. If you’re truly desperate to get away from short-form video, delete the app and just log in through Safari or Chrome on your phone.
You’ll notice your battery life improves, too. The Facebook app is notorious for background processes, and a lot of that is tied to pre-loading video content like Reels.
Why Is Everyone So Mad About This?
It’s not just you. A lot of people are asking can I turn off reels on Facebook because they feel the platform has lost its identity. Research from groups like the Pew Research Center has shown a growing "feature fatigue" among social media users.
When every app—Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, even LinkedIn—starts looking the same, users get burnt out. You go to Facebook to check on your local community group or see photos of your grandkids. You don't go there to see a stranger in Los Angeles doing a lip-sync.
There's also the "cognitive load" factor. Constant fast-paced video content can make the app feel stressful rather than relaxing. By hiding Reels, you’re essentially doing a mini digital detox without actually leaving the platform.
Surprising Facts About Reels and Data
Did you know that Reels consume significantly more data than standard image posts? If you’re on a limited data plan, "turning off" Reels (or at least disabling autoplay) is a financial move as much as an aesthetic one.
A standard 30-second Reel can be anywhere from 5MB to 20MB depending on the quality. If you scroll past fifty of them in a session, you’ve just burned a gigabyte. Meta doesn't emphasize this because they want the seamless experience of video, but for users in areas with poor connectivity or expensive data, Reels are a genuine burden.
Setting Up Your "Minimalist" Facebook Experience
If you want the closest thing to a "No Reels" version of Facebook, follow these specific steps in order. This won't delete the feature from the code, but it will hide it from your daily life.
- Purge your "Following" list. Unfollow pages that primarily post video memes. If you follow "Viral Clips 24/7," Facebook thinks you love Reels.
- Mute Reels for specific people. If you have that one friend who shares 20 Reels a day to their Story, you can mute their Stories without unfriending them. Long-press their Story bubble and hit "Mute."
- Adjust Ad Preferences. Go into your Ad Settings and look at "Interests." If "Short Form Video" or "TikTok" is listed as an interest, remove it. This helps the algorithm realize you aren't interested in that format.
- Use the "Favorites" list. Add the 30 people you actually care about to your Favorites list. Then, only view your feed through the "Favorites" filter. This is the most effective way to see zero Reels.
The Future of the News Feed
Will Facebook ever let us turn them off? Probably not. In fact, rumors in the tech world suggest that Meta might eventually merge the main feed and the Reels feed into one single vertical swipe, similar to how Instagram has experimented with "full-screen" feeds.
The best we can do is stay vocal. Platforms do occasionally walk back changes if the backlash is loud enough—remember when Instagram tried to go full-screen and everyone from Kylie Jenner to your neighbor complained? They rolled it back within a week.
If you hate Reels, use the "Hidden" and "Show Less" tools. It’s the only vote you have in the system.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
To get the most control over your Facebook experience, do these three things immediately:
- Disable Autoplay: Open Settings > Media > Autoplay > Never Autoplay Videos. This stops the intrusive noise and data drain.
- Switch to the "Feeds" Tab: Stop using the "Home" tab as your default. Train yourself to tap the "Feeds" icon and select "Friends." It’s a cleaner, chronological experience without the Reels tray.
- Audit Your Ad Interests: Navigate to Settings > Ad Preferences > Ad Topics. Remove anything related to "Viral Videos" or "Entertainment" to signal to the AI that you aren't looking for Reels content.
By following these steps, you won't technically "turn off" the feature, but you'll make it so invisible that you'll forget it's even there. Keep your feed focused on what matters—real connections with real people.