Question 1

Can I still use Instagram DMs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CherryBrew removes Reels, Explore and suggested posts, but your Instagram DMs and group chats work as usual, along with Stories, search, comments and posting. The other apps work the same way: only the endless feeds are filtered out.

Question 2

Is there an app that blocks Reels?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CherryBrew is an Android app that blocks Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts and keeps the rest of each app working. It opens the real Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X, Reddit and TikTok inside its own browser, with Reels, Shorts, Explore and For You feeds filtered out. It costs $2.99 a month or $20 for lifetime access.

Question 3

Can I turn off Reels in Instagram?

Accepted Answer

No. Instagram has no setting that turns Reels off. Marking Reels "Not interested" or setting a time reminder only changes what you see or nudges you to stop. What you can do is open Instagram through CherryBrew, which removes the Reels tab, Reels in your feed and Explore while your account, DMs and Stories stay the same.

Question 4

How is this different from Instagram in a browser?

Accepted Answer

Instagram's mobile website is the usual workaround, but in a normal phone browser Reels are still there and the site keeps pushing you back to the app. CherryBrew opens the same real sites, signed in, with Reels and Shorts already filtered out and your DMs working, and keeps all 6 apps in one place with an optional daily time goal.

Question 5

Does CherryBrew replace Instagram or YouTube?

Accepted Answer

No. CherryBrew opens the real social sites inside its own in-app browser, so you keep using the accounts you already have. It filters the distracting layers where possible.

Question 6

Which apps does CherryBrew work with?

Accepted Answer

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X, Reddit, and TikTok.

Question 7

How much does CherryBrew cost?

Accepted Answer

CherryBrew is a paid app: $2.99 per month, or $20 for lifetime access. Google Play shows the current price at checkout.

Question 8

Can I share CherryBrew with my family?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with Lifetime. Lifetime includes Family Sharing so you can share access with up to 5 family members. Each person gets their own CherryBrew setup, and no one sees anyone else's usage.

Question 9

Does CherryBrew read my messages or my screen?

Accepted Answer

No. The optional Native App Shield uses Android's AccessibilityService only to detect when a supported social app is open and show the reminder you configured. CherryBrew does not use it to read messages, feeds, typed text, passwords, screen content, or raw touch input, and it is off unless you turn it on.

Question 10

Is there an iPhone version?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. CherryBrew is available on Google Play for Android. An iOS version has not launched.

Block Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts on Android, and keep your DMs