How to limit only Reels on Instagram: Reels time limit on iPhone (2026)

We could not find any setting in Instagram's official help pages that puts a time limit on Reels only. Instagram's daily time limit is a reminder for all of Instagram, not a block. iPhone Screen Time blocks the whole Instagram app, so DMs stop too. To cut down on Reels but keep DMs, the closest option is an app that opens Instagram with Reels hidden, such as minulo or SocialLite.

2026-10-09

This page is written by the developer of minulo. Instagram settings were checked against the sources below on September 28, 2026; iPhone Screen Time and App Store descriptions on October 9, 2026. Menu names can change with app and iOS updates.

Method	Works on Reels only?	Does it block? DMs?
Instagram daily time limit	No. It counts all of Instagram.	Shows a reminder after the time you set. Does not block.
Teen Accounts	No. A reminder after 60 minutes a day and sleep mode from 10 PM to 7 AM.	Teen accounts only.
iPhone Screen Time	No. Whole app up to iOS 26; by category (such as Social Media) on iOS 27.	Blocks with a passcode. DMs are blocked too.
Following feed (tap the Instagram logo)	Removes suggested posts from your home feed.	The Reels tab stays.
minulo	Hides Reels, Explore and suggested posts instead of timing them. Reels sent in DMs pause before the endless feed; Open for 5 min lets you watch for five minutes.	DMs, friends' posts, your own posts and search keep working. Locks the official app with Screen Time and sends you to minulo.
SocialLite	Removes short-video feeds and recommendations. A video someone sends you can be watched, but you can't scroll to the next one (App Store description).	DMs keep working.

How to set a Screen Time limit for Instagram

This limits all of Instagram, not just Reels.

iOS 26 and earlier

Open Settings and tap Screen Time.
Tap App Limits, then Add Limit.
Tap a category name, select Instagram, tap Next and set the time.
Limits can be ignored by default. To make them stick, set a Screen Time passcode and turn on Block at End of Limit.

iOS 27

Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then Time Allowances.
Set how long you can use a category such as Social Media each day.
If an app declares an associated website, the Time Allowance applies to both (Apple).

Hide Reels and keep DMs (with minulo)

minulo opens Instagram's official website inside the app with Reels, Explore, suggested posts and ads hidden. You choose what to hide, item by item, and hiding is free.

minulo can lock the official Instagram app with iPhone Screen Time; the blocked screen offers to open minulo instead. Free blocks last up to 2 hours each, and you can start another anytime. Schedules, blocks longer than 2 hours and Locked Mode (no instant unblock) are in minulo Pro ($9.99/month or $39.99/year in the US, with a 7-day free trial on yearly).

minulo launched in September 2026 and has few ratings so far. There is no Android version.

Can you set a time limit for Instagram Reels only?

As of October 2026 we could not find one, either in Instagram's official help pages or in iPhone Screen Time. Both work on all of Instagram (or a category, on iOS 27).

How do I limit Reels time on Instagram?

Set a daily time limit in Instagram (a reminder) or a Screen Time limit (a block, with a passcode). Both cover all of Instagram. If Reels are the problem, open Instagram in an app that hides Reels instead.

How do I restrict suggested Reels on my home feed?

Tap the Instagram logo and choose Following to see only posts from accounts you follow, in time order, without suggestions. The Reels tab stays. To remove it, use an app that hides Reels, such as minulo.

Can I still watch Reels my friends send in DMs?

In minulo, yes. A Reel sent in a DM pauses before the endless feed, and Open for 5 min lets you watch for five minutes.

Sources

How to turn off Instagram Reels →Screen Time not working for Instagram →Best apps to limit screen time →Hide Reels with minulo →