Instagram reels can be extremely addictive. You tap the reels tab or any of the suggested reels once, and that’s it. There you go down a rabbit hole for hours. Needless to say, scrolling through reels wastes a hell lot of time. People do all kinds of things to prevent this from happening, but again– reels are addictive. However, there’s still something that can be done to prevent reels from taking over your life. You can learn how to turn off reels on Instagram. Since this article is going to be all about it, make sure to read it till the end.
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Here’s How To Disable Instagram Reels | 4 Ways To Get Rid Of Reels On Instagram!
You might be wondering if Instagram is even going to allow you to turn off one of its core features just like that because this social media platform doesn’t allow users to make many changes to the way the app is designed and functions. And well, Instagram doesn’t have an option to disable reels. However, there are some workarounds like downloading APK, using the “Not Interested” option, etc. to remove reels from your feed.
So, if you want to know how to turn off reels on Instagram using these options, make sure not to skip a single section of this post!
How To Turn Off Reels On Instagram On Android?
Although Instagram doesn’t just allow you to toggle off reels, you can make use of a workaround to disable them. You have the option to download an older version of Instagram on your device. The earlier version will not have reels. Here’s how you can do this:
- Open a web browser of your choice.
- Search for an APK file of Instagram. Make sure that the one you download is of an earlier version.
- Your device will ask you to go to the Settings app and turn on the option to download apps and files from unknown sources. Grant this permission.
- Then, the APK file will be downloaded to your device.
- Once that’s done, install the app.
- After the installation process is complete, open the app.
- Login to your account using your username and password.
- Since you’re using an earlier version of Instagram, you will notice that the reels tab is not available.
And, that’s it! You will no longer be wasting any more time scrolling through reels!
How To Turn Off Reels On Instagram On iOS?
Android users can easily install APK files on their devices. And so, it is easier for them to go back to an earlier version of Instagram– one that didn’t have reels. However, if you’re an iOS user, you already know that you are not going to be able to download APK files, not the correct way, at least. iOS doesn’t allow it. And so, you may not be able to go back to an earlier version of Instagram and disable reels.
Although, there’s a way to download an earlier version of the app, but the process is extremely complicated. And if you’ve never followed this jailbreak method before, it’s strongly advised not to try it on your device. Plenty of things can go wrong that can result in long-lasting damage to your phone.
How To Turn Off Reels On Instagram Using The Not Interested Option?
Another workaround to turn off reels on Instagram is to use the “Not Interested” option available. Although this option is not going to disable reels completely, it will Not Interested reels that you don’t like. Plus, once you’ve hidden reels on a certain topic, Instagram will make sure not to show them again.
Here’s how you can use the Not Interested option to turn off reels:
- Open Instagram
- Tap the reels tab to open a reel. Or, you can tap on any reel from the ones suggested in your feed. You can also open the Explore tab and select some reels from there.
- Once you’ve opened a reel, tap the three-dot icon located at the bottom right of the screen.
- From the menu that appears on the screen, select “Not Interested.”
- You will now be presented with a list of reasons, you’ve to choose one to explain why you’re not interested in that particular reel. Select the one that resonates the most with you.
And that’s it. The reel preview is going to be blurred immediately. Plus, Instagram will not be showing you such reels in the future.
How To Turn Off Reels On Instagram Profile?
Let’s say that you want to disable reels from your profile, i.e., you don’t want to have any reels on your profile page. So, if you’ve already made and posted reels on your page, you will have to delete them permanently to be able to remove them.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Instagram
- Tap the profile icon located at the bottom right of the screen.
- Then, tap the reel icon.
- Tap on any reel to open it.
- Once the reel opens, tap the three-dot icon located at the bottom right.
- After that, select “Delete” in red from the menu that appears on the screen.
- A confirmation pop-up will appear on the screen, select “Delete” from it again to confirm.
And, that’s it! This particular reel is going to be deleted. Repeat this method until all the reels on your page are removed.
Final Words
Okay, everyone! This is how to turn off reels on Instagram! In this article, you looked at four different options to remove Instagram reels. So, follow whichever method suits your needs the best and get the needful done! In case you get stuck at any point or have any additional doubts regarding any of the methods mentioned above, feel free to drop them down below!
Can you restrict Reels?
If you want to restrict the sharing of your reels, then you choose the option that allows only your approved followers to see and share your reels. This can be done by having a private account.
Why does my Instagram feed turn into Reels?
Your feed turns into reels because reels are promoted by Instagram’s algorithm, and this is why they mostly appear in the feed and explore pages.
Is it better to remove Reels from the profile grid?
If you don’t want your reels to appear in other people’s feeds, then it is better to remove them from the profile grid.
Can I move my Reel back to the profile grid?
Yes, you will have the option to move your reel back to the profile grid if you want to.
