Facebook Reels are short-form videos that appear in your feed, similar to Instagram Reels and TikTok videos. While some users enjoy them, others find them distracting and want to remove them from their feed. Unfortunately, Facebook doesn’t provide a direct “Turn Off Reels” button, but there are a few workarounds to limit or remove them.
Here are four easy ways to reduce or remove Reels from your Facebook feed.
1. Use the “Not Interested” Option
Facebook allows you to customize your feed by marking posts or Reels you don’t want to see.
Steps to Mark Reels as “Not Interested”:
- Open Facebook and scroll through your feed.
- When you see a Reel, tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Not Interested.”
- Facebook will start showing you fewer Reels over time.
📌 Tip: This method won’t completely remove Reels, but it will reduce the number of Reels appearing in your feed.
2. Use the Older Facebook App Version
Newer versions of the Facebook app emphasize Reels, but older versions didn’t have them. You can uninstall your current Facebook app and download an older version to avoid Reels.
How to Downgrade the Facebook App (Android Only):
- Uninstall the current Facebook app.
- Download an older version (before Reels were introduced) from a trusted APK website.
- Install the older version and disable automatic updates in the Play Store.
📌 Note: This method works best on Android devices. On iPhone, Apple does not allow downloading older app versions.
3. Use Facebook in a Mobile or Desktop Browser
Reels are more prominent in the Facebook app, but they appear less frequently in web browsers like Chrome, Safari, or Edge.
How to Avoid Reels Using a Web Browser:
- Open Facebook in a browser on your phone or computer.
- Scroll through your feed—Reels will be less visible than in the app.
- If Reels still appear, use browser extensions (on desktop) to block them.
📌 Tip: You can also bookmark Facebook’s “Most Recent” feed (facebook.com/?sk=h_chr) to prioritize normal posts over Reels.
4. Use a Modified Facebook App (Like Facebook Lite)
Facebook Lite is a lightweight version of Facebook that doesn’t focus on Reels.
Steps to Switch to Facebook Lite:
- Download Facebook Lite from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Log in to your account.
- Browse your feed—Reels will be less prominent or completely absent.
📌 Note: Facebook Lite has fewer features, but it offers a cleaner feed with fewer distractions.
FAQs About Removing Reels from Facebook
1. Can I completely turn off Reels on Facebook?
No, Facebook does not provide an official option to disable Reels. However, you can limit their appearance using workarounds like marking them as “Not Interested” or using Facebook Lite.
2. Will marking Reels as “Not Interested” remove them permanently?
No, it won’t remove them permanently, but it reduces how often they appear in your feed over time.
3. Can I remove Reels from Facebook using browser extensions?
Yes! If you’re using Facebook on a computer, you can install browser extensions like “Hide Facebook Reels” or “FB Purity” to block Reels from appearing.
4. Will using Facebook Lite remove Reels?
Facebook Lite does not emphasize Reels as much as the main app. While some users still see them occasionally, the experience is much cleaner with fewer Reels.
5. Can I use an older version of Facebook to avoid Reels?
Yes, you can downgrade to an older version of the Facebook app (before Reels were introduced). However, this only works on Android, and you’ll need to disable automatic updates.
6. Do Reels appear more in the Facebook app or web browser?
Reels are more prominent in the Facebook app. If you use Facebook in a web browser, you’ll see fewer Reels in your feed.
7. If I delete my Facebook app and reinstall it, will it remove Reels?
No, reinstalling Facebook won’t remove Reels since they are a built-in feature. However, if you install an older version, you may be able to avoid them.
8. Why do I keep seeing Reels even after marking them as “Not Interested”?
Facebook’s algorithm gradually adjusts based on your feedback. It may take some time before Reels appear less frequently.
9. Can I block Reels from appearing in Facebook groups or pages?
No, Facebook doesn’t allow you to block Reels from specific sections. However, using browser extensions or Facebook Lite can help reduce them overall.
10. Will Facebook eventually add an option to disable Reels?
There’s no official statement from Facebook, but given the popularity of short-form video content, it’s unlikely that they’ll remove Reels anytime soon.
Final Thoughts
While you can’t permanently disable Reels on Facebook, you can limit their appearance using these methods:
✔ Mark Reels as “Not Interested” to reduce them.
✔ Use an older Facebook app version to avoid Reels altogether.
✔ Browse Facebook in a web browser instead of the app.
✔ Switch to Facebook Lite for a simpler experience with fewer Reels.
These solutions will help you enjoy Facebook with fewer distractions. Try them out and see which works best for you! 😊
