unrotInstagram · Updated
How to block Instagram Reels but keep your DMs
Why you open Instagram for a message and lose 40 minutes
Reels sit one tap from your inbox, and a single shared reel in a DM opens the full-screen feed. The fix is to tell your phone what you came for.
Set it up
Install Unrot and allow Accessibility access
Used only to see whether you're in Reels or elsewhere in Instagram.
Keep Instagram ticked
It's on by default.
Pick what counts
Settings → Your apps → Instagram: “Reels only” (DMs, posting, profile never count) or “Whole app” (the home feed counts too).
Answer the intent check
Opening Instagram after a break, choose “Send a message”. If you tap into Reels anyway, Mochi shows “NOT NOW – you came to send a message”.
If you still end up scrolling
The same rules as everywhere else apply: check-ins inside your daily budget, a greying screen near its end, then waits between reels and a pause screen once it's used up. Unrot's evening summary shows how much of your day went to Reels, and Insights shows your riskiest hour.
More questions
Can I hide the Reels tab on Instagram?
Not in the app's settings. Unrot can't hide the tab, but it can lock the Reels player so tapping it does nothing useful.
Will my friends know I'm limiting Reels?
No. Unrot works only on your phone and doesn't touch your account.