Why there's no "turn off Reels" setting
Reels are a major driver of engagement on Instagram, so the app is designed to surface them everywhere: a dedicated tab, the home feed, search and even inside Stories. Instagram offers some controls over what you see, but no setting that removes the Reels feature entirely.
Option 1: Reduce the exposure manually
- Turn off Reels-related notifications in Instagram settings.
- Use "Not interested" on Reels to nudge recommendations, though it doesn't remove them.
- Use Instagram's own "Your activity → Time spent" daily reminder.
These help a little but rely on you noticing and choosing each time.
Option 2: Limit Reels with Brainrot
Brainrot counts each Reel you swipe past and closes the Reels viewer when you hit your daily limit. Everything else in Instagram keeps working.
- Install Brainrot: Reel Limit from Google Play.
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → Brainrot: Reel Limit and switch it on. This permission lets the app detect the Reels screen. It is used only for counting swipes and nothing is uploaded; see the privacy policy.
- Choose a limit. Use 0 for a complete block, or something small like 15 for a light daily allowance.
- Open Instagram as usual. Messages, Stories, profiles and posts are untouched.
- At the limit, the Reels viewer closes and a stop screen appears.
What gets blocked and what doesn't
| Limited | Left alone |
|---|---|
| Reels viewer (from the Reels tab, feed or search) | Direct messages and group chats |
| Stories, notes, profiles | |
| Regular photo and video posts |
If it stops counting
Instagram changes its layout regularly. Make sure both apps are up to date and that the Accessibility permission is still on. Some phone brands switch it off to save battery, so set Brainrot's battery usage to unrestricted. If it still misbehaves, contact us with your phone model.
For the product overview, see the Instagram Reels blocker page.
