Not in the official app. Instagram has no setting that turns Reels off: the Reels tab stays in the bottom bar, and reels keep showing up in your Home feed. You can cut them down on your phone with the Following feed, “Not interested” and Your Algorithm. On a computer you can remove them completely with a free Chrome extension such as Dumbstagram.
Why is there no off switch for Reels?
Because Reels is where Instagram’s attention goes. On Meta’s Q1 2024 earnings call, Mark Zuckerberg said Reels alone made up 50% of the time spent in the app. In the March 2026 redesign, Instagram moved Reels to the center of the bottom bar (Home, Reels, DMs, Search, Profile), and you can’t rearrange the tabs.
How do I see fewer Reels in the Instagram app?
None of these remove Reels. They reduce how many you see.
- Switch to the Following feed. Tap Instagram at the top left of your feed, then Following. You get posts and reels from accounts you follow, newest first, and no suggested reels from strangers (Instagram Help Center). The app goes back to the main feed the next time you open it. More in how to see only Following on Instagram.
- Tap “Not interested”. Tap the three dots on a suggested post, or tap and hold a post in Explore, then Not interested (Help Center). Instagram uses it to change what it suggests next.
- Tune Your Algorithm. In Reels or Explore, tap the icon in the upper right (two lines with hearts). You see the topics Instagram thinks you like and can ask for more or less of each. Since June 2026 it applies to Feed, Reels and Explore together (Instagram). It changes which reels you get, not whether you get them.
- Snooze suggested posts. This pauses suggested posts in your feed for 30 days. See how to hide suggested posts on Instagram.
- Set a daily limit. Profile → Menu → Time management → Daily limit (Help Center). It is a reminder, not a lock.
Can I block Reels on Instagram on my computer?
Yes, and this is where it gets easier. On instagram.com in a desktop browser, an extension can hide parts of the page before you see them. Instagram’s own controls don’t help here: the Help Center lists snoozing suggested posts, the daily limit and sleep mode as phone and tablet features only.
Dumbstagram is a free Chrome extension that hides Reels, Stories, ads, Explore and suggested posts on instagram.com, and keeps you on the Following feed and your DMs. It needs no login and collects no data. One toggle in the Chrome toolbar brings normal Instagram back.
What about “Instagram without Reels” apps?
Modified Instagram apps (APK or IPA files) and wrapper apps ask you to sign in with your Instagram password inside software Instagram didn’t make. Dumbstagram never asks for your password: it only hides parts of the instagram.com page you are already signed in to.
Questions
Can you turn off Reels on Instagram?
No. Instagram has no setting that removes the Reels tab or stops reels from appearing in the Home feed. You can reduce them with the Following feed, Not interested and Your Algorithm, or remove them on a computer with a browser extension.
Are there Reels in the Following feed?
Only from people you follow. The Following view shows posts and reels from accounts you follow, newest first, with no suggested reels from strangers.
Does Dumbstagram remove Reels in the Instagram phone app?
No. Browser extensions cannot change native apps. Dumbstagram works on instagram.com in Chrome on your computer.
Is Dumbstagram free?
Yes. Dumbstagram is free on the Chrome Web Store, with no account, no login and no data collection.