endwhile
Guide · Instagram
How to block Instagram Reels on desktop
Short answer: Endwhile, a free Chrome extension, turns off Instagram Reels, Stories, the Explore grid and the home feed on instagram.com. Direct messages, search, posts and profiles keep working.
How to do it
- Add Endwhile from the Chrome Web Store.
- Open instagram.com. The feed is replaced with search and a link to your messages.
- Click the Endwhile icon to choose which of Home feed, Stories, Reels and Explore are blocked.
What gets removed
- The home feed
- Stories, including links into them
- Reels, along with the Reels menu entry, the Reels tab on profiles and reel tiles
- The Explore grid of suggested posts. Search stays in the menu.
- Optionally, comment counts, threads and the comment box
What Instagram lets you do without an extension
You can switch the feed to show only accounts you follow, and set time reminders. Neither turns off Reels or Explore, and a reminder is easy to dismiss.
What keeps working
Direct messages, search, individual posts and profiles. People who use Instagram to talk to friends lose nothing they need.
Questions
Can I still read my DMs?
Yes. Messages are never blocked, and the blocked screen links straight to them.
Does it work in the Instagram app?
No. It works on instagram.com in a desktop browser. Phone apps cannot run browser extensions.
Can I block Reels but keep Stories?
Yes. Home feed, Stories, Reels and Explore are four separate switches.