How to block Instagram Reels on Android
Plenty of people want Instagram for messages and friends, but lose an hour to Reels without noticing. Deleting the app is blunt, and Instagram offers no real switch to turn Reels off. Here is how to block Reels and keep the rest.
Why you cannot turn Reels off in Instagram
Instagram does not include a setting to remove Reels. You can mute accounts and snooze suggestions, but the Reels tab and the Reels that appear in the feed stay. Willpower alone is a weak defence against a feed designed to keep you scrolling.
Block Reels with Blockerflow
Blockerflow can block the short video feeds of several platforms while leaving the rest of the app usable. Reels on Instagram and Facebook are both covered, in the app and in the browser.
- Install Blockerflow and grant the Accessibility Service permission during setup.
- Open the Blocklist tab.
- Switch on Block Instagram reels and Block Facebook reels.
- Open Instagram. Messages and posts still work, and the Reels feed is replaced by the blocked screen.
Other short video feeds you can block
The same blocklist covers YouTube Shorts, Snapchat Spotlight and videos on X, also known as Twitter. If your problem is a different app entirely, Focus Mode can block whole apps for a set time.
Stop yourself from undoing it
The usual way blocks fail is that you switch them off at 11pm. Add an accountability partner or the typing challenge so that undoing the block takes effort. That small delay is often enough for the urge to pass.
Frequently asked questions
Can I block Reels but still use Instagram messages?
Yes. Blockerflow blocks the Reels feed itself, so you can keep using direct messages and the rest of the app.
Does it also work on instagram.com in a browser?
Yes. Social video blocking applies to both the native apps and their websites when opened in a browser.
Does this block Facebook Reels too?
Yes. Facebook Reels are covered in the same way as Instagram Reels.
Try Blockerflow
Block adult content and distracting feeds on Android, with an accountability system behind it.