# #blockit: Block Shorts & Reels — Hide Instagram & YouTube feeds

> Selectively block website distractions while keeping core functionality. (iPhone/iPad app by Jordi Kitto.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockit-block-shorts-and-reels/id1492879257 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Jordi Kitto](https://appshunter.io/developer/1492879256)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.05/5 from 167 App Store ratings · 132 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 28 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-01-18
- Data updated: 2026-09-22
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockit-block-shorts-and-reels/id1492879257/reviews.md

## What is #blockit?

Keep the good, block the bad. #blockit removes Shorts, Reels and endless feeds from popular websites on Safari, and leaves everything else exactly where it was.

No account. No built-in browser to log into. Nothing sent to any server, ever.
And a 7 day free trial to see the difference yourself.

No VC funding or growth team here. #blockit is built by one indie developer, and has been quietly maintained since 2020 as the sites keep changing.

WHAT GETS BLOCKED
• Shorts, Reels and short-form feeds
• Endless home feeds and suggested content
• Explore pages, related videos, comments if you want
• Entire websites by URL

Your call, per site, with simple switches.

WHAT YOU KEEP
• Everything else
• Search, messages, and notifications
• The profiles and pages you actually meant to visit

All in your normal Safari, logged in as yourself, with nothing sitting in between.

WORKS ON
• YouTube.com: block Shorts, home recommendations, related videos, comments, end screens, even the subscriptions feed
• Instagram.com: block Reels, Stories, Explore, suggested posts, or the whole feed
• Facebook.com: block the news feed, Stories, Reels, Marketplace, and Groups
• Reddit.com: block the home feed, subreddit feeds, or comments
• X.com: block For You, Following, Explore, even notifications
• LinkedIn.com: block the home feed

PRIVATE BY DESIGN
#blockit is a pure Safari content blocker, a technology Apple designed so it cannot read or transmit anything from the pages you visit. Don't take our word for it: enable #blockit in Settings and Apple itself confirms "#blockit" does not have permission to read or transmit content from any web pages.

ONE SUBSCRIPTION, EVERY DEVICE
iPhone, iPad and Mac, with iCloud sync keeping every setting and blocked site in step. Set it up once, covered everywhere.

NOTE
#blockit uses Apple Safari Content Blocker technology, and can only remove certain parts of certain websites you browse via the Safari app.

Take back your attention. Just #blockit

– Jordi, developer of #blockit

TERMS OF USE
https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Block distracting website elements
- Customize blocked content
- Block any website by URL
- iCloud sync across Apple devices
- Dark Mode support
- On-device processing for privacy

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $3.99 | per year |
| Yearly + Family Sharing | $7.99 | per year |
| Yearly (Existing User Only) | $3.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock YouTube | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Instagram | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Twitter | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock LinkedIn | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Reddit | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Blocked Websites | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Websites Bundle | $5.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of #blockit?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 🚀 Helps curb phone addiction
- 🚀 Improves productivity
- 👍 Customizable blocking options
- 👍 Affordable subscription
- 👍 Responsive developer support

**Cons**

- 🐛 Inconsistent blocking functionality
- 🐛 Subscription model change frustrates users
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with subscription model
- 🔋 Drains device battery

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Stops working after Instagram/Facebook updates
- Blocks essential features like Instagram notifications
- Incompatible with older iOS versions

**Most requested features**

- Add ability to block sponsored/suggested posts
- Extend blocking to mobile apps, not just websites
- Provide free tier or one-time purchase option
- Add more website/platform integrations

## Recent user reviews (10 of 132)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockit-block-shorts-and-reels/id1492879257/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Blocks YT shorts perfectly!

*2026-09-05*

I’ve been using this for almost two months now, and it was exactly what I was looking for: to block YT shorts on my iPhone, without installing some sketchy app. Blockit doesn’t require granting any permissions, so I don’t need to worry about my information being transmitted. 

Of course, the tradeoff on the secure design is that this only works on safari, so I cannot use the nicer YT app, but I do not mind that (and I don’t have the time to figure out how to sideload a modified YT). I did find that for Instagram, the website is a PWA, so I can add the website directly to my home screen and it works exactly like the normal app minus the annoying reels.

I don’t mind a yearly subscription if it means the blocker will keep blocking.

**Developer response:** Glad to hear you are having a good experience with #blockit!

Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed review.

Kind regards,
Jordi

### 5/5 — Well done

*2026-08-13*

Works simpler and better than I would have expected. 
An easy way to block harmful effects of social media without having to worry about what you’d lose canceling.

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2026-07-16, version 4.10.6*

Does exactly what it says - I can enjoy YouTube again without getting sucked into shorts. Very happy and excellent value for money.

### 3/5 — Good App for blocking, but instagram doesn’t work

*2026-07-15, version 4.10.6*

Great app for blocking most things, But it fails to block suggested posts on instagram. The whole idea for me wanting this app is to prevent endlessly scrolling content. These suggested posts are 90% reels.

### 3/5 — Buggy

*2026-06-29, version 4.10.6*

Some weeks it works well, other weeks functions I’ve blocked appear which is annoying since I’ve paid for the app

### 2/5 — Inconsistent

*2026-05-28, version 4.10.3*

It use to work great, but now it only blocks the Instagram feed sometimes. Sometimes it blocks it. Often it doesn’t.

### 5/5 — The ONLY thing that’s worked

*2026-05-26, version 4.10.3*

I cannot praise this app enough. After trying so many apps, hardware solutions, blocking websites, and struggling for 4 years, I finally found this app and it solved my chronic screen addiction immediately, now in my 3rd year of using it. 
I blocked YouTube shorts/suggested, Instagram stories/explore/reels, and various websites. I can still access Instagram chat and watch YouTube, but it blocks the stuff meant to keep you addicted. Wish this app was made when I was younger. Get this for yourself and your kids if you have them.

### 5/5 — Does the job, does require subscription tho

*2026-05-14*

I enjoy how intentional I’ve become on social media with using this app. I just go in, search for what I want, and come right back out. There’s no worry of being tempted with recommended videos, friends stories, unnecessary LinkedIn posts. Yes you need to pay to get in, I don’t really mind it, personally it has been worth it to me, and may be to you if you relate to anything I mentioned.

### 5/5 — Wish I found this sooner

*2026-03-31, version 4.10.2*

If you are glued to your iPhone especially social media like instagram mainly you can delete the app and log in on the website for it to work then add the app to your Home Screen, will keep using can now upload without consuming content!

### 5/5 — Changed my life

*2026-03-28, version 4.7.0*

This app changed my life. I am finally free from my social media addiction. I can go on Youtube and see ONLY my subscription feed, and watch a video and there are no comments or suggested videos. I can go on reddit ONLY for a post I found on google. If I do want to scroll, I can disable the blocks and then enable them again when I'm done.

## Frequently asked questions about #blockit

### What does  blockit do?

#blockit allows you to selectively remove distracting parts of websites, such as news feeds or suggested videos, while keeping the rest of the site functional. It helps users regain focus and control their online experience without blocking entire websites.

### What are the key features of  blockit?

Key features include the ability to block only distracting elements of websites, customize what you block (e.g., only stories), block any website by its URL, and sync settings across iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iCloud. It also supports Dark Mode and operates on-device for privacy.

### How much does  blockit cost?

A subscription is required to use #blockit. The app is available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS via a single subscription, providing access to all features across your Apple devices.

### What devices is  blockit compatible with?

#blockit is available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It utilizes Apple Safari Content Blocker technology and works with the Safari app on these devices.

### What are common use cases for  blockit?

Common use cases include blocking the Facebook News Feed to reduce time spent scrolling, hiding YouTube's suggested videos to stay focused on a specific video, or removing distracting elements from other social media and news websites to improve productivity and concentration.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.11.3 — 2026-09-20

• Improvements to app metadata

### 4.11.2 — 2026-09-14

• Fix for YouTube end screen blocking
• Fix for Instagram Reels blocking for some users

### 4.11.0 — 2026-08-22

• Fix for toggles sometimes not affecting Safari blocking

### 4.10.8 — 2026-08-07

• Fix for Facebook Stories blocking for some users

### 4.10.7 — 2026-07-22

• Fix for Instagram Explore blocking

## Apps similar to #blockit

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [SocialFocus: Hide Distractions](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/socialfocus-hide-distractions/id1661093205) | 3.9 (314) | $4.99 | Productivity |
| [UnTrap for YouTube](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/untrap-for-youtube/id1637438059) | 4.1 (496) | $4.99 | Productivity |
| [Smile App Launcher](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smile-app-launcher/id6612008811) | 4.7 (340) | Free | Productivity |
| [Dumb Phone — Launcher & Themes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dumb-phone-launcher-and-themes/id6451376191) | 4.2 (223) | Free | Productivity |
| [Minimalist Launcher](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minimalist-launcher/id6498880303) | 4.7 (3,519) | Free | Productivity |
| [ZenTube  - Decluttered](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zentube-decluttered/id6480412927) | 4.4 (15) | Free | Productivity |

## More apps by Jordi Kitto

- [#trackit: Track Health & Pain](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trackit-track-health-and-pain/id1559328063)

All apps by Jordi Kitto: https://appshunter.io/developer/1492879256

## Related topics

[untrap](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/untrap) · [block youtube shorts](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/block-youtube-shorts) · [remove youtube shorts](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/remove-youtube-shorts) · [distraction free instagram](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/distraction-free-instagram) · [untrap for youtube](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/untrap-for-youtube) · [shorts blocker for youtube](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/shorts-blocker-for-youtube) · [block it](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/block-it) · [block story lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/block-story-lite) · [shorts blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/shorts-blocker) · [youtube shorts blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/youtube-shorts-blocker) · [distraction free youtube](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/distraction-free-youtube)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-22.*