You generally cannot completely turn off Facebook Reels with one universal setting in 2026. However, you can substantially reduce them by opening the three-dot menu on unwanted Reels and choosing Not Interested or Hide Reel. You can also customize your Feed, prioritize posts from friends and Pages through Favorites, and disable video autoplay to make Facebook less video-heavy.
If your goal is specifically to remove the Reels shortcut from the Facebook navigation bar, that option may appear for some accounts or app versions but is not consistently available. Current user reports show that Facebook’s navigation and default-tab behavior has been changing across accounts in 2026.
How to Turn Off Reels on Facebook in 2026
Facebook Reels have become a core part of Facebook’s video experience rather than an optional feature that every user can simply disable. In June 2025, Facebook renamed its Videos tab to the Reels tab, and Meta announced that videos posted to Facebook would increasingly be shared as Reels.
That means the best approach in 2026 depends on what you mean by “turn off Reels.”
If you want to completely eliminate every Reel from Facebook, there is currently no universal Facebook setting that guarantees this. If you simply want to see fewer Reels, however, Facebook provides several useful controls.
What Is Facebook Reels?
Facebook Reels are Facebook’s short-form video format. They can appear in the main Feed and in the dedicated Reels area of Facebook. Facebook says the Reels feed is personalized using signals such as what you watch, like, comment on, share, and how long you watch particular content.
This personalization is important because your behavior can influence what Facebook recommends next.
For example:
- Watching a Reel for a long time can influence future recommendations.
- Liking or sharing similar Reels can increase related recommendations.
- Following a creator can make more of that creator’s content appear.
- Selecting Not Interested can reduce similar recommendations.
- Hiding a Reel removes it immediately and can reduce content from that creator.
Can You Completely Turn Off Reels on Facebook?
No—not through a universal built-in “Disable Reels” switch available to everyone.
Facebook’s current controls focus primarily on personalizing and reducing recommendations, rather than completely disabling the Reels system. Facebook’s own Help Center specifically documents controls such as Interested, Not Interested, and Hide Reel.
This distinction matters because many online guides claim that you can permanently disable Facebook Reels through a single setting. Those instructions may refer to an older Facebook interface, an account-specific experiment, a third-party browser extension, or an option that is no longer available.
So, instead of looking for a guaranteed “Turn Off Reels” button, use the method below that matches your goal.
Why Are Facebook Reels So Difficult to Turn Off?
Facebook has integrated Reels more deeply into its video system.
Meta says its Reels recommendation system uses user interactions and other signals to personalize the videos people see. In 2025, Meta also said it was improving recommendations so that Facebook could surface newer and more relevant Reels more quickly.
Facebook also changed the former Videos tab into the Reels tab in June 2025. Meta said that, as the transition continued, videos posted to Facebook would be shared as Reels.
As a result, there is a difference between:
Removing an individual Reel
and
Disabling Facebook’s entire Reels infrastructure.
The first is supported. The second generally is not.
How to Hide Reels on Facebook
The easiest solution is to hide individual Reels that you don’t want to see.
Step 1 — Open Facebook
Open the Facebook app on your Android or iPhone, or access Facebook through a desktop browser.
Step 2 — Find a Reel
Scroll through your Feed until you encounter a Reel you do not want to see.
Reels can appear directly in your Feed, even if you are not intentionally browsing the dedicated Reels section.
Step 3 — Open the Three-Dot Menu
Tap or click the three-dot More menu associated with the Reel.
Step 4 — Select “Hide Reel”
If the option is available, select Hide Reel.
Facebook says hiding a Reel removes it immediately and reduces content from that creator.
Step 5 — Repeat for Unwanted Content
If similar Reels continue appearing, keep using the available feedback controls rather than watching or interacting with the unwanted videos.
Expected result: The individual Reel disappears, and Facebook receives a signal that you do not want that type of content.
How to See Fewer Reels on Facebook
If you don’t need to eliminate every Reel but simply want your Feed to contain fewer of them, use Not Interested.
Step 1 — Find an Unwanted Reel
Open a Reel that you would prefer not to see.
Step 2 — Tap the Three Dots
Open the Reel’s More menu.
Step 3 — Choose “Not Interested”
Select Not Interested when that option appears.
Facebook says this feedback gradually influences future recommendations and can reduce similar topics or creators in your Reels feed.
Step 4 — Avoid Reinforcing the Recommendation
If you want fewer Reels about a particular subject, avoid:
- Watching the entire Reel
- Liking it
- Commenting
- Sharing it
- Repeatedly opening similar Reels
Facebook uses interactions and viewing behavior to personalize recommendations.
Step 5 — Use the Feedback Consistently
One Not Interested selection does not necessarily remove all similar content permanently. Facebook says the effect can diminish over time.
Best approach: Use the control whenever unwanted Reels appear and avoid interacting with the content.
How to Remove the Facebook Reels Shortcut or Tab
Some users are not primarily bothered by Reels appearing in the Feed. Instead, they want to remove the Reels shortcut from Facebook’s navigation bar.
This is more complicated because Facebook’s navigation interface can vary by:
- Account
- App version
- Device
- Region
- Facebook experiment
- Current interface rollout
In 2026, users have reported that navigation-bar controls and the default screen can change after Facebook updates. Some users report losing the ability to remove Reels from the navigation area entirely.
Check Your Navigation Settings
If your version of Facebook provides navigation customization:
- Open Facebook.
- Open the Menu.
- Go to Settings & Privacy.
- Open Settings.
- Look for a navigation, tab-bar, or shortcut customization option.
- If Reels is listed and can be removed, change its setting according to the available options.
If you do not see a Reels customization option, your current Facebook version/account may not support removing the shortcut.
Important: Do not assume that a tutorial showing a particular navigation menu applies to every Facebook account in 2026.
How to Stop Facebook Reels From Automatically Playing
If your real problem is that videos start playing while you scroll, disabling autoplay can make Facebook considerably less intrusive.
However, there is an important limitation: Facebook’s standard video autoplay controls do not necessarily disable autoplay inside Reels themselves. Facebook explicitly notes that its automatic-sound setting does not apply to Reels.
On Desktop
Facebook provides an autoplay setting under its media preferences:
- Open Facebook.
- Click your profile picture.
- Select Settings & privacy.
- Select Settings.
- Go to Preferences.
- Select Media.
- Adjust the available autoplay setting.
Facebook documents autoplay controls for videos and animations in Feed.
On Android or iPhone
Facebook also provides video autoplay controls through its mobile settings:
- Open the Facebook app.
- Open Menu.
- Go to Settings & privacy.
- Select Settings.
- Find Media.
- Look under the autoplay options.
- Choose the option that best matches your preference, such as disabling autoplay where available.
Facebook provides options including autoplay over mobile data and Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi only, or never autoplay videos, depending on the interface.
Important: This is an autoplay solution, not a complete Reels-disabling solution.
How to Make Your Facebook Feed More Reels-Free
If Facebook continues showing many recommended videos, use Feed controls to shift the experience toward content from people and Pages you actually follow.
One useful option is Favorites.
Facebook allows users to add up to 30 friends and Pages to Favorites. Posts from those accounts receive higher placement in the Feed, and Facebook provides a separate Favorites Feed.
Add Friends and Pages to Favorites
- Open your Facebook profile menu.
- Go to Settings & privacy.
- Select Content preferences.
- Select Favorites.
- Add the friends and Pages whose posts you want to prioritize.
You can then access the Favorites Feed through the Feeds area where available.
This does not technically disable Reels, but it can help you spend more of your time viewing content from accounts you deliberately selected.
How Facebook Decides Which Reels You See
Understanding the recommendation system can help you reduce unwanted Reels more effectively.
Facebook says Reels recommendations can be influenced by:
| Signal | How It Can Affect Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Watching | Longer viewing can influence future suggestions |
| Likes | Indicates interest in similar content |
| Comments | Can provide an interest signal |
| Shares | Can influence recommendations |
| Followed creators | May result in more content from those creators |
| Trending content | Popular Reels may be recommended |
| “Not Interested” | Can reduce similar recommendations |
| Hiding a Reel | Removes the Reel and can reduce creator content |
Facebook’s Help Center says the Reels feed is personalized according to interactions and other recommendation factors.
This leads to a simple strategy:
If you want fewer Reels, give Facebook fewer positive signals for Reels you do not want.
What to Do If “Not Interested” Does Not Stop Reels
Selecting Not Interested does not guarantee that Facebook will never show another similar Reel.
Facebook describes the effect as gradual, and says its impact on the Feed can diminish over time.
Try the following:
1. Use “Not Interested” Repeatedly
Give consistent feedback when unwanted topics appear.
2. Use “Hide Reel” When Available
Hiding removes the individual Reel immediately and can reduce content from that creator.
3. Stop Interacting With Unwanted Reels
Do not like, comment, share, or deliberately watch similar videos.
4. Unfollow Problematic Creators
If particular Pages or creators repeatedly produce unwanted content, unfollowing them can reduce their presence.
5. Prioritize Favorites
Add the friends and Pages you actually want to see to Favorites.
6. Check for App Changes
Facebook frequently changes its interface. If a setting disappears after an update, an older tutorial may no longer reflect your current version.
Why Are Reels Still Appearing After I Hide Them?
There are several possible reasons.
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| New Reels keep appearing | Reels are integrated into Facebook | Use Not Interested and Hide Reel |
| Same topic keeps returning | Recommendation signals are still strong | Avoid interacting with similar Reels |
| Same creator appears | You continue receiving creator recommendations | Hide the Reel or unfollow the creator |
| Reels tab remains visible | Facebook does not provide the option on your account | Check navigation settings; otherwise use Feed controls |
| Reels autoplay | Video autoplay remains enabled | Adjust Media/autoplay settings |
| Old instructions don’t work | Facebook changed the interface | Follow the options available in your current app |
| Reels return after updates | Interface or recommendation changes | Reapply available Feed/navigation preferences |
Does Turning Off Autoplay Disable Facebook Reels?
No.
Turning off autoplay primarily controls how videos and animations play automatically in supported Feed contexts. It does not mean that Facebook Reels have been disabled. Facebook specifically notes that its automatic-sound setting does not apply to Reels.
Therefore:
Want fewer Reels? → Use Not Interested / Hide Reel.
Want less automatic video playback? → Change Media/Autoplay settings.
Want to remove the Reels shortcut? → Check whether your current navigation settings offer that option.
Want to completely disable Reels everywhere? → Facebook does not currently provide a universal switch for that.
Can You Turn Off Facebook Reels on Android?
You can reduce or hide Reels on Android, but a complete universal Reels-disable switch is not currently available.
On Android, use the Facebook app’s Reel controls:
- Open a Reel.
- Tap More.
- Select Not Interested or Hide Reel, depending on which option is available.
- Repeat for unwanted recommendations.
Facebook’s official Android Help Center confirms that Reels appear in the dedicated Reels section and can also appear in Feed.
You can also review Settings → Media for autoplay-related controls.
Can You Turn Off Facebook Reels on iPhone?
The same basic approach applies to iPhone.
- Open Facebook.
- Find an unwanted Reel.
- Tap More.
- Select Not Interested or Hide Reel.
- Repeat as needed.
- Review Facebook’s Media settings if automatic video playback is also bothering you.
Facebook’s iPhone Help Center documents the same Reel personalization controls, including Interested, Not Interested, and Hide Reel.
Can You Turn Off Facebook Reels on Desktop?
Not completely through an official universal Facebook setting.
On desktop, you can still manage individual Reels and Feed recommendations. Facebook’s desktop interface also provides Feed and media controls, including autoplay preferences.
If you want to hide Reels completely from a desktop Facebook interface, some third-party browser extensions and custom filters claim to hide Reel elements. However, these are not official Facebook solutions, and they can stop working when Facebook changes its interface.
For that reason, they should be treated as optional workarounds rather than the primary method.
What About Third-Party Facebook Reels Blockers?
Browser extensions can sometimes hide Reels from the Facebook desktop interface.
For example, third-party extensions currently advertise the ability to hide Reels and other Facebook interface elements.
However, there are trade-offs:
- They are not made by Facebook.
- Facebook interface updates can break them.
- They may require access to Facebook page content.
- They may not work on mobile.
- They may hide legitimate video content along with Reels.
- Privacy implications should be reviewed before installing any browser extension.
Community discussions also show that third-party filtering solutions can stop working after Facebook changes its interface.
Recommendation: Try Facebook’s built-in controls first.
Common Mistakes When Trying to Disable Facebook Reels
Mistake 1: Looking for a Permanent “Disable Reels” Button
Many tutorials make it sound as though Facebook has a universal toggle.
Why it matters: The current Facebook interface does not provide one universal setting that completely disables Reels for everyone.
Better approach: Decide whether you want to hide individual Reels, reduce recommendations, remove a navigation shortcut, or stop autoplay.
Mistake 2: Confusing Autoplay With Reels
Turning off autoplay does not remove Reels.
Correct approach: Use autoplay settings for playback behavior and Reel feedback controls for recommendations.
Mistake 3: Watching Unwanted Reels Before Hiding Them
If you repeatedly watch unwanted videos, you may provide Facebook with additional recommendation signals.
Correct approach: Open the menu and provide negative feedback rather than continuing to watch.
Mistake 4: Following Old Facebook Tutorials
Facebook has changed its video and navigation experience significantly.
In particular, Facebook renamed the Videos tab to Reels in June 2025.
Correct approach: Use current instructions that match the options visible in your account.
Mistake 5: Assuming Every Account Has the Same Settings
Facebook may test or roll out interface changes at different times.
Correct approach: Treat navigation settings as account- and version-dependent.
Expert Insight: The Best Way to Reduce Reels in 2026
The most practical strategy is not to fight the Reels feature itself. Instead, change the signals that determine what Facebook recommends to you.
Use this workflow:
Unwanted Reel appears
↓
More → Not Interested
↓
If available: Hide Reel
↓
Avoid watching/interacting with similar content
↓
Unfollow recurring unwanted creators
↓
Add preferred friends and Pages to Favorites
↓
Use Feed/Favorites views when available
This approach is more sustainable than repeatedly searching for a hidden “disable Reels” switch.
Meta itself describes Not Interested as a way to influence future Reel recommendations, while Favorites can prioritize content from selected friends and Pages.
Decision Framework: Which Method Should You Use?
| Your Goal | Best Method |
|---|---|
| Remove one unwanted Reel | Hide Reel |
| See fewer similar Reels | Not Interested |
| Reduce content from a creator | Hide Reel / unfollow creator |
| Prioritize friends and Pages | Favorites |
| Stop Feed videos from autoplaying | Media → Autoplay |
| Remove Reels shortcut | Check navigation/tab settings |
| Completely disable every Reel | No universal official switch |
| Hide Reels on desktop | Built-in controls first; third-party tools only if necessary |
Implementation Checklist
Before Starting
- Decide whether you want fewer Reels or no Reels.
- Identify whether your problem is recommendations, autoplay, or the Reels shortcut.
- Update Facebook if your interface appears outdated.
During Implementation
- Use Not Interested on unwanted Reels.
- Use Hide Reel when available.
- Avoid interacting with unwanted Reel content.
- Unfollow creators that repeatedly appear.
- Add preferred friends and Pages to Favorites.
- Review autoplay settings if videos are automatically playing.
After Completion
- Return to your Feed.
- Check whether unwanted Reel recommendations decrease.
- Confirm autoplay behaves as expected.
- Check whether your navigation settings allow Reels to be hidden.
- Reapply feedback if unwanted recommendations return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I permanently disable Facebook Reels in 2026?
No universal permanent disable switch is currently available to all Facebook users. You can hide individual Reels and use Not Interested to reduce similar recommendations.
How do I stop Reels from appearing in my Facebook Feed?
Open an unwanted Reel’s More menu and choose Not Interested or Hide Reel when available. Facebook says these controls influence future recommendations.
Can I remove the Reels tab from Facebook?
It depends on your current Facebook interface and account. Some versions may provide navigation customization, while other users report that Reels cannot be removed from the navigation bar. Facebook’s interface has been changing during 2026.
Does Facebook’s autoplay setting turn off Reels?
No. Autoplay controls affect video playback behavior, but Facebook specifically says its automatic-sound setting does not apply to Reels.
Why does Facebook keep showing me Reels?
Facebook recommends Reels using signals including what you watch, like, comment on, share, and other recommendation factors. Trending content and followed creators can also influence what appears.
Does “Not Interested” permanently remove a Reel topic?
No. It tells Facebook you want less similar content, but Facebook says the impact can diminish over time.
Can I hide Reels on Facebook without deleting my Facebook account?
Yes. You can use Facebook’s built-in recommendation controls to hide unwanted Reels and reduce similar content.
Can I stop Reels on both Android and iPhone?
You can reduce or hide them on both platforms. The exact menu placement can vary by app version, but Facebook provides Reel feedback controls on mobile.
Did Facebook replace Videos with Reels?
Yes. Facebook says the Videos tab was renamed the Reels tab in June 2025, with a broader transition toward sharing Facebook video content as Reels.
Key Takeaways / Final Takeaway
If you’re searching for how to turn off Reels on Facebook in 2026, the most important point is that Facebook does not currently offer a universal switch that completely disables Reels for every user. Instead, the most reliable built-in solution is to use Not Interested and Hide Reel on unwanted recommendations.
You can also improve your Feed by prioritizing friends and Pages through Favorites, while autoplay settings can reduce unwanted automatic video playback.
If your goal is specifically to remove the Reels shortcut, check your current navigation settings, but don’t rely on older tutorials because Facebook’s interface continues to change. Current user reports show that the option is not consistently available across accounts.
The best 2026 approach is therefore: hide unwanted Reels, select Not Interested, avoid reinforcing unwanted recommendations, prioritize the content you actually want, and treat complete Reels removal as unavailable through Facebook’s standard settings.
