How to Remove Reels From Facebook
Facebook has more than one billion users browsing their platform every day.
By being the biggest social media platform around, it is imperative for the company to evolve throughout the years continuously.
That is why recently in 2021, Meta, the re-branded company that owns Facebook, decided to implement the well-known Reel feature** on the platform.
But some users are just old-schoolers, or perhaps you just might like the classic Facebook essence.
So, unwanted videos on your Facebook news feed might lead you to lose interest about this social platform.
That’s why today, we are going to show you how to block Reels once and for all.
Read further to learn more about:
- How to remove Reels from Facebook;
- Important things you must know about Reel videos on Facebook;
- Provent ways to disable Reels on your Facebook feed.
What Are Facebook Reels?
Facebook Reels are a short-video content form that appears on your Facebook feed whenever you open the app.
They are meant to be watched mainly on the Facebook mobile site, and according to Facebook, Reels are the perfect tool for creators to exploit all Facebook’s advantages.
In a way, Reels remind us of a short video on TikTok, and although this feature has been running on Instagram since mid-2020, some Facebook users are still not used to seeing annoying Reels popping up on their feeds.
If you like the older Facebook version, which didn’t include Reels, more than the current one, then you are in your right to disable Reels whenever you want.
How to Remove Reels from Facebook
Facebook allows you to block unwanted videos, including Reels, if you don’t want to see them while using the Facebook app.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options that you can use to get rid of all the Reels that might appear during the time you use Facebook.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best alternatives out there to achieve this.
Method 1: Hide Reels on Facebook Suggestions
The first method consists of simply hiding Reels from your Facebook suggestions.
Facebook allows you to manage your privacy settings however you want, meaning that Disabling Friend Suggestions on Facebook is also possible.
In order to disable Reels suggestions, do the following:
- While on the Facebook home screen, scroll down until you find the Reel’s home screen shortcut;
- Then, tap “Reels” options, which is a little three-dot menu at the top right corner of Reels;
- Here, simply tap “Hide Reels,” and Reels won’t be shown on your homescreen again.
Method 2: Turn Off Autoplay Videos
Perhaps you might want to disable the “Auto Play Videos” option from the Facebook App.
Although this won’t automatically remove Reels, it will prevent them from playing automatically on your feed.
Step 1: Go to Facebook App Settings
Firstly, tap on the hamburger menu icon that appears on the homepage.
Here, on the drop-down menu that will open, look for “Settings” and move on.
Step 2: Select “Preferences” and “Media”
Scroll down until you find “Preferences,” and then “Media.” Proceed with the last step.
Step 3: Disable Auto Playing Reels
Finally, in the Reels section, toggle off the option that says “Play Automatically.” You might as well disable reels and short videos from automatically playing if you please.
Method 3: Use an Outdated Facebook App
This method only works for Android devices. Nevertheless, we must mention that using apk files outside the official Play Store might indeed bring bad consequences to your device.
Step 1: Uninstall Facebook App
Firstly, go to your phone settings, look for the Facebook App, and tap “Uninstall.” The app will be entirely deleted from your phone.
Step 2: Find an Old Facebook Apk File (Android)
Now, you need to find an apk Facebook file prior to September 2021.
Using an older version where Reels aren’t included is the only way to fully get rid of Reels on your phone.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that using an old version will also prevent you from enjoying the latest Facebook features. You might look for apk files on ApkMirror.com.
Step 3: Disable Auto Update on Google Play Store
After downloading the file, open Google Play Store, look for Facebook, and disable auto-updates so your phone doesn’t automatically install the latest version of the app.
Enjoy your new app (or older version, we should say) without Reels!
Method 4: Use Third-Party Facebook Apps
Although this method doesn’t work for everyone, there are third-party apps that offer the “Facebook Experience” with greater levels of customization.
We recommend using any third-party Facebook app at your own risk.
Most of these apps allow you to disable Reels on Facebook almost automatically.
Some of the options that might suit you are SlimSocial and Frost for Facebook - make your own research and decide which one of these third-party Facebook Apps is better for you.
P.S: Don’t forget to disable auto-update on the main Facebook app so short videos don’t mess up with your timeline.
Method 5: Use Facebook Web Version
Reels on Facebook are meant to work on the Facebook app.
Hence, unless you manually look for short videos on the web version, Reels won’t appear while using Facebook on Google Chrome or any other browser!
Method 6: Disable Reels Posted by You
Finally, if you want to simply get rid of a Reel that you have posted on the Facebook app, or if you don’t want certain people to see your short videos, then do the following.
Step 1: Tap “Settings” on Facebook
On your profile tab, next to your profile picture, look for settings and proceed.
Step 2: Go to “Audience and Visibility”
Scroll down until you find an option that says “Audience and Visibility.” Here, you can manage your sharing settings on the Facebook App.
Remember that Making Facebook Entirely Private is always an option as well.
Step 3: Select “Reels and Short Videos” and Disable Sharing
Look for Short videos and Reels, and set up the sharing options on the app depending on your needs.
You might prevent all individuals from seeing your Reel videos, or you might as well just limit them to your friends on the app - it is up to you!
That will be all for now! Need more Facebook tips? GrowFollowings will be here for you!
FAQ
Are Facebook Reels the Same as Instagram Reels?
In a way, they are. Remember that Facebook is owned by Meta, and so is Instagram.
Although it is possible to upload a Reel only on Instagram, you might as well share short audio and video rooms across Facebook at the same time.
Karen is a senior technical writer and copywriter here at GrowFollowing. Her area of expertize are social media apps and new media.