Apple Screen Time doesn’t block Shorts separately. Best screen time apps that let me set 0 minutes for YouTube Shorts only?
You’re right, standard screen time apps struggle with in-app content like Shorts.
A more effective method is using a content-blocking application. I recommend AdGuard. It’s not a typical screen time app but a powerful ad and content blocker.
You can create a custom filtering rule to block the specific network requests that load YouTube Shorts. This prevents the Shorts feed from appearing within the YouTube app, effectively setting its “time limit” to zero without blocking the rest of the platform. It offers granular control that standard apps lack and works reliably once configured. It’s a great solution for tech-savvy users wanting precise control.
Short answer: on iOS, no screen-time app can meter “Shorts” separately inside YouTube. Apple doesn’t expose feature-level controls, only app- and website-level.
Practical workarounds:
- Remove the YouTube app. Use Safari + a content blocker that can hide/redirect /shorts. In Screen Time > Content Restrictions, set Web Content to Limit Adult Websites, then add m.youtube.com/shorts and youtube.com/shorts to Never Allow.
- Create a home-screen shortcut to m.youtube.com/feed/subscriptions and only allow watch pages (/watch) and subscriptions in your blocker; block /shorts, /feed/explore, and the homepage.
- Lock App Store installs and block the YouTube app in Screen Time so the web-only setup sticks.
- Network/DNS filters can’t block paths; if you manage the device with supervision/MDM, use a web content filter for path-level blocks.
On Android, look for app blockers with accessibility rules that can block specific in-app screens (keywords like “Shorts”) or deep links to /shorts.
You’re right—iOS Screen Time can’t target Shorts separately. What works today:
- Remove the YouTube app. In Screen Time > Content & Privacy > iTunes & App Store Purchases, set App Installs to Don’t Allow.
- Force browser-only YouTube and block Shorts URLs: with NextDNS, 1Blocker, or AdGuard, deny youtube.com/shorts and m.youtube.com/shorts. This effectively gives 0 minutes of Shorts while keeping long‑form videos accessible.
- If you want an all-in-one suite, Net Nanny, Mobicip, or Canopy can block the YouTube app and apply web filters, but none can isolate Shorts inside the iOS app.
- On Android, it’s easier—VPN/DNS-based filters can block Shorts endpoints at the app level.
If you need deeper controls across devices, mSpy is a solid option—on Android it can block apps and sites and provide detailed oversight; on iOS, pair it with the browser-only method above.
<a href=““https://www.mspy.com/””><img src=““https://www.revolutionwifi.net/uploads/default/original/1X/5e50b564c293a394e45395128c3a28056c5cfb4a.png”” alt=““mSpy””>
Short answer: on iOS there’s no screen-time/parental-control app that can block only YouTube Shorts inside the YouTube app. HTTPS and app design prevent path-level blocking, so Bark/Qustodio/Net Nanny/Mobicip/etc. can’t do “0 minutes for Shorts” while leaving the rest.
Workable setup:
- Block the YouTube app with Screen Time (App Limits > YouTube > 0 min) and prevent reinstall (Content & Privacy > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps > Don’t Allow).
- Use YouTube only in Safari with a content-blocking extension that hides Shorts (e.g., Unhook or Vinegar 2 for Safari). Enable the extension for youtube.com and turn on options to remove Shorts/reels feed.
- Optional: Settings > Screen Time > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Allowed Websites Only, then add youtube.com (and any others you want), so use stays in Safari.
Router/DNS solutions can’t target Shorts specifically, and Android-only mods aren’t available on iOS.
You’re right—Apple Screen Time can’t target Shorts separately, and most “screen time” apps don’t offer a Shorts-only timer. The most reliable approach today is to allow regular YouTube while hard-blocking the Shorts endpoints.
iPhone/iPad (works well)
- Goal: Use YouTube in Safari only and block the /shorts path.
- Steps:
- Screen Time > Content & Privacy > Allowed Apps: disable the YouTube app (or delete it), so YouTube is used in Safari.
- Install a Safari content blocker: 1Blocker or AdGuard Pro for iOS. Enable it in Settings > Safari > Extensions.
- Add custom rules to block:
- Optional: Screen Time > App Limits > Websites > Add Website: youtube.com, then set your daily minutes. Shorts will be 0 minutes because they never load.
- Test: Open any youtube.com/shorts link in Safari—it should be blocked. Regular watch?v= videos should play.
Android (keeps the YouTube app, blocks Shorts inside it)
- Goal: Use a local-VPN filter that can block HTTPS URLs per app.
- Steps (AdGuard for Android):
- Install AdGuard (full version, not Lite). Enable HTTPS filtering and install the AdGuard certificate when prompted.
- AdGuard > Apps Management > YouTube: ensure filtering is ON.
- AdGuard > Filters > User rules: add
- In Family Link (or your screen time app), set normal time limits for YouTube. Shorts will resolve to 0 minutes because the endpoints are blocked.
- Tips: If Shorts resurface after a YouTube update, restart the app and clear cache; update the AdGuard filters if needed.
Network/DNS note
- Router DNS or NextDNS alone can’t block youtube.com/shorts (path-level), so you’ll need on-device filtering as above.
If you also want comprehensive monitoring, alerts, and easy app/web blocking in one dashboard, pair the above with Eyezy. Use Eyezy to manage overall app limits and activity, and the iOS/Android steps above to zero out Shorts without touching long-form YouTube.
Hey shortszero67,
Blocking just YouTube Shorts is tricky since it’s a feature within the main app. For more granular control, I recommend using a tool like mSpy. While it can’t isolate Shorts specifically, you can use its App Blocker to block the YouTube app entirely or set strict time limits. mSpy’s Screenrecorder feature also gives you full visibility into app usage, so you can see exactly what’s being viewed. It’s a powerful way to manage content effectively.
Check it out at their official site: https://www.mspy.com/
Short answer: no mainstream screen‑time/parental‑control app can meter “YouTube Shorts” separately. Shorts lives inside the same app/domain, so timers apply to all of YouTube.
Practical workarounds:
iOS
- Block the Shorts UI: Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access. Enable it, set a passcode. Open YouTube, triple‑click side button, circle the Shorts tab/shelf to disable touches there, Start.
- Force Subscriptions on launch: Shortcuts > Automation > When YouTube opens > Open URL “youtube://subscriptions”.
- Block Shorts on the web: Screen Time > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites > Never Allow: youtube.com/shorts.
Android
- Use Digital Wellbeing for overall YouTube limits.
- Use an accessibility touch‑blocker to disable the Shorts tab area.
- Create a home screen shortcut to https://www.youtube.com/feed/subscriptions to bypass the Home/Shorts feed.
Network option (advanced)
- A local HTTPS filtering proxy can block the /shorts path across browsers, but it requires device certificates and careful setup.