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How to Turn Off or Get Rid of Reels on Facebook

If you are tired of short videos taking over your feed, you are probably searching for how to get rid of Reels on Facebook. Here is the honest truth up front: Facebook does not offer a single switch that turns Reels off completely. But you can dramatically reduce how often you see them by hiding specific Reels, telling Facebook you are "not interested," and adjusting a few settings. This guide walks through every option that actually works in 2026.

Can you fully turn off Reels on Facebook?

No - and it is better to set expectations clearly. Reels are deeply built into the Facebook app and website, so there is no official toggle that removes them entirely from your feed, the navigation bar, and notifications all at once. Anyone promising a magic "off" button is overstating what is possible.

What you can do is train the algorithm and use the tools Facebook provides to reduce, hide, and mute Reels so they show up far less. Combine the methods below for the best result. If you are not sure what Reels even are or why they keep appearing, our quick explainer on what Facebook Reels are gives the background.

How to hide individual Reels and see fewer

The most reliable way to learn how to hide Reels on Facebook is to give direct feedback on the ones you do not want. Every time you do this, you teach the algorithm to show you fewer similar videos:

  1. When a Reel appears in your feed, tap the three-dot menu (or press and hold the Reel).
  2. Choose Not interested (sometimes labeled "Hide" or "Hide Reel").
  3. If offered, also select options like Hide all from this creator or Show fewer videos like this.
  4. Repeat consistently for a week or two - the more feedback you give, the fewer Reels you will see.

This "not interested" approach is the closest thing to a real control, because Facebook's feed is personalized. Steady feedback genuinely changes what gets served to you.

Quick tip: Studying Reels that go viral? Save them for reference with our free Facebook Reels downloader - HD MP4, no app, no watermark.

How to stop Reels from autoplaying

If the issue is videos playing automatically as you scroll, you can calm things down without removing Reels. Learning how to stop Reels on Facebook from autoplaying makes the feed feel much less aggressive:

  1. Open the Facebook app and go to Menu, then Settings & privacy, then Settings.
  2. Look for Media (sometimes "Media and contacts" or "Videos and photos").
  3. Find the Autoplay setting.
  4. Switch it to Never Autoplay Videos (or "On Wi-Fi only" if you just want to save data).

Reels will still appear, but they will not start playing on their own, which removes a lot of the pull that keeps you scrolling.

How to mute or unfollow Reels-heavy sources

A big chunk of the Reels you see come from specific Pages, creators, or groups. Cutting those sources off reduces the flood:

  • Unfollow without unfriending: Open a Page or person's profile and tap Unfollow so their posts (including Reels) stop filling your feed while you stay connected.
  • Snooze for 30 days: Use the three-dot menu on a post to snooze a source temporarily.
  • Leave or mute Reels-heavy groups: If a group posts mostly short videos, mute its notifications or leave it.
  • Use "Favorites": Add the people and Pages you actually want in a Favorites list and browse that feed instead of the main one.

How to reduce or block Reels notifications

Reels can also reach you through notifications and emails. To quiet those:

  1. Go to Settings & privacy, then Settings, then Notifications.
  2. Find the Reels (or "Video") notification category.
  3. Turn off push, email, and SMS alerts for Reels.

While there is no true way to block Reels on Facebook entirely, switching off these alerts stops the app from actively pulling you back to short videos.

Extra ways to reduce Reels in your feed

A few more habits help keep your feed cleaner over time:

  • Use the "Feeds" view: Facebook offers a chronological Feeds tab that shows posts from friends and Pages you follow, with fewer recommended Reels mixed in.
  • Avoid tapping Reels: Even one curious tap tells the algorithm you want more, so scroll past the ones you do not want.
  • Keep giving "Not interested" feedback: Consistency is what retrains the feed.
  • Try a browser with the desktop site: The web layout can surface Reels differently than the app.

If you actually want to keep a specific Reel you enjoyed before tuning it out of your feed, you can save it first - see our guide on how to find your saved and watched Reels on Facebook, or grab a clean copy with our free Facebook Reels downloader for offline viewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a way to completely turn off Reels on Facebook?

No. Facebook has no single setting that removes Reels entirely. The best you can do is combine "Not interested" feedback, turning off autoplay, unfollowing Reels-heavy sources, and muting Reels notifications to see them far less often.

Why do I keep seeing Reels even after hiding them?

Reels are recommended based on your activity, so they keep returning until the algorithm learns your preferences. Give consistent "Not interested" feedback over a week or two, and avoid tapping Reels, to reduce them more permanently.

How do I stop Reels from autoplaying?

Go to Settings, then Media, then Autoplay, and choose "Never Autoplay Videos." Reels may still appear in your feed, but they will not start playing automatically as you scroll.

Can I remove the Reels tab from the navigation bar?

The app does not let you delete the Reels tab from the bottom navigation. You can simply avoid tapping it, and focus on the "Feeds" view to see chronological posts from friends and Pages instead.

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