# Slowth: Short Video Blocker — Less scrolling, more focus

> Browser extension to block short-form video content on social media. (iPhone/iPad app by Denis Malin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/slowth-short-video-blocker/id6764140763 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Denis Malin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1612038828)
- Category: Productivity, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 21 MB
- Languages: American English, Arabic, Armenian, Belarusian, Bangla, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Filipino, French (France) and 33 more
- Released: 2026-04-28
- Data updated: 2026-10-19
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/slowth-short-video-blocker/id6764140763/reviews.md

## What is Slowth?

A Safari extension that quietly hides infinite‑scroll feeds.

Slowth blocks YouTube Shorts, Instagram and Facebook Reels, plus Explore and trends on X while leaving the rest of each site available.

Each site has labels that match what it blocks. Instagram and Facebook add a feed mode; TikTok is Off or Block site.

TikTok is replaced with a friendly blocked page. You can opt any site into full block too.

Enable Slowth in Safari, then choose what to hide or block for each website.

Safari blocking works on websites without screen recording.

For 24 hours, enabled restrictions cannot be turned off. You can add restrictions, but cannot enable whole-site blocking. The timer survives restarts and force-quits.

On iPhone and iPad, Slowth can detect YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Instagram Stories and block the app when your selected content appears. This uses screen access that you start and stop.

Choose YouTube or Instagram in Screen Time, then enable the content types you want to block. Start screen recording to use the apps while detection runs. When Slowth detects selected content, Screen Time blocks the entire app, not just that video or story.

Slowth needs screen images to recognize Shorts, Reels, and Stories inside other apps. To receive these images, it uses the iOS screen recording feature. You start this access yourself through the system broadcast prompt.

Screen images are analyzed on your device to recognize the content you chose to block. Audio is ignored.

Screen frames are analyzed entirely on your device and never uploaded. By default nothing is saved; confirmed frames are saved only after explicitly enabling hidden debug capture.

Slowth is open source. You can inspect the app and its on-device detection pipeline on GitHub.

## Key features

- Blocks Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and more
- Selective content muting
- Runs entirely on-device
- No account or login required
- Free to use forever
- Privacy-focused, no data collection

## Is Slowth safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess Slowth.

## Is Slowth legit?

Slowth: Short Video Blocker has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Slowth is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/slowth-short-video-blocker/id6764140763/reviews.md

### 5/5 — The Best Reels Blocker!

*2026-06-01*

Does what it says. No cost. No extra BS. Simple. It just works. Actually, it works better than expected. The Facebook reels icon is missing. You can’t even click on it. Same with YouTube shorts!

## Frequently asked questions about Slowth

### Does Slowth have ads?

No, Slowth is completely free and does not contain any advertisements. The developer built it over a weekend without venture capital, focusing on user experience rather than monetization through ads.

### What devices does Slowth support?

Slowth is available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It functions within the Safari browser on these devices to block short-form video content.

### How often is Slowth updated?

The latest version, 0.5.0, was released on July 9, 2026, indicating recent development activity. The app was initially released on April 28, 2026.

### Is Slowth suitable for children?

Slowth has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. Its primary function is to block distracting content, which can be beneficial for users of all ages.

### Can I use Slowth offline?

Yes, Slowth runs entirely on your device and does not require an internet connection to function. This means you can manage your content blocking preferences and experience the benefits even without an active internet connection.

### What social media platforms can Slowth block?

Slowth can block content from Instagram Reels (tab and feed), YouTube Shorts (tab, feed, and suggestions), TikTok (full or partial), Facebook Reels, X (Twitter) short videos, and LinkedIn short-form content.

### How does Slowth protect my privacy?

Slowth is designed with privacy as a core feature. It does not collect any of your data, including browsing history or blocking preferences, as it runs entirely on your device without servers or analytics.

### What makes Slowth different from other blockers?

Unlike many apps, Slowth is completely free with no subscriptions or in-app purchases. It was developed by a single individual and focuses solely on blocking short-form video distractions without any hidden agendas or data collection.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2026.10.2 — 2026-10-08

Helping Slowth get better is now easier: you can upload screen recordings through the website. The Help improve card now stays on the main screen.

Share screen recordings of short-form feeds and everyday app use to help improve recognition.

Social apps look different across devices, languages and app versions. Your recordings will help me train Slowth to recognize what should be blocked and avoid blocking regular content.

Just record yourself using the app as usual. No explanations or labels needed — I’ll review and label the footage myself to train and test the blocking model.

Please leave out private messages, notifications and personal information.

### 2026.10.1 — 2026-10-07

Help improve in-app blocking

I need short screen recordings of Instagram, Facebook and other social apps to improve Slowth’s in-app blocking.

### 2026.8.4 — 2026-10-06

Fresh build, same mission: less scrolling, more living.

Blocking for Facebook Reels and Stories and short videos on X is now steadier. Recognition for Shorts, Reels, and Stories also got a tune-up — entirely on your device.

Setup guidance is clearer, and Feedback & Support is easier to use. Same Slowth, fewer loose screws.

### 2026.8.1 — 2026-10-01

Your thumb asked for a day off. Approved.

- Facebook Reels and Stories, plus short videos on X, have joined the block list. “Just one more” had a good run.
- Updated the brains that spot Shorts, Reels, and Stories. All on your device, as usual.
- Rewrote the setup and screen access guides. Less head-scratching, more “oh, got it.”
- You can now rate Slowth. The Feedback & Support section got a little tidy-up, too. Found a bug? Come tell me. Bugs don’t pay rent here.

### 0.9.4 — 2026-09-22

Our sloth found a tip jar. Eventually.
You can now support Slowth with an optional donation. Every little bit earns you a very slow, very grateful high five.

We also refreshed the explanation cards to make it clearer why Slowth needs screen recording and how it works. Less head-scratching, even for a sleepy sloth.

Less scrolling. More living. Maybe a nap.

## Apps similar to Slowth

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [LockedIn: Block Reels & Shorts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockedin-block-reels-and-shorts/id6767055765) | — | Free | Productivity |
| [Sociano: Block Reels & Shorts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sociano-block-reels-and-shorts/id6760568406) | 4.5 (10) | Free | Productivity |
| [Dome : Block Reels & Shorts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dome-block-reels-and-shorts/id6756055866) | — | Free | Productivity |
| [Nope: Block Instagram Reels](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nope-block-instagram-reels/id6768192042) | 2.0 (2) | Free | Productivity |
| [Scroll Less Block Reels Shorts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scroll-less-block-reels-shorts/id6741134096) | 4.6 (22) | Free | Productivity |
| [LoomWeb: Block Shorts & Reels](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loomweb-block-shorts-and-reels/id6754727620) | 4.8 (32) | Free | Productivity |

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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 2026-10-19.*