The VK Clips video service has become an integral part of the social network, but for many users its constant presence in the feed and application interface is an annoying factor. Owners of smartphones based Android often look for a way to completely get rid of this section in order to return the usual look of the news feed and save traffic. Unfortunately, the developers did not provide one “magic button” to completely disable the function at the server level, but there are a number of effective methods to minimize the impact of clips on your experience using the social network.
Deleting browsing history, disabling notifications and hiding a tab are different levels of solving the problem, each of which requires a different approach. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available options: from simple cache clearing to radical methods using modified clients. You will learn how to configure the feed so that the algorithms stop offering you short videos, and how to remove visual interface elements that interfere with your comfortable experience.
It is worth immediately noting that the application interface VKontakte is regularly updated, and the location of some menu items may change. However, the basic principles of working with privacy settings and notifications remain unchanged on most versions Android OS. We will look at both the standard tools of the social network itself and the capabilities of your smartphone’s operating system for blocking unwanted content.
Disable notifications and clip recommendations
The first step to getting rid of intrusive content is to stop receiving push notifications about new videos. Social network algorithms actively promote this format, sending messages that “your friend posted a clip” or “popular video of the day.” To stop this flow, you need to go to the settings of the application itself.
Open the application and go to the settings section by clicking on the gear icon or three bars in the corner of the screen. Find the item Notifications, and then select a category Other or Recommendations. Here you will see switches responsible for notifications about new posts and videos. Disable all items related to video content so that your phone stops vibrating for every reason.
It is also important to clear your browsing history, since it is on its basis that further recommendations are formed. If the system sees that you accidentally paused your gaze on a video, it will continue to suggest similar content. Go to the Clipssection, click on the profile or settings icon inside this section and select Clear browsing history. This will reset the algorithm's current preferences.
⚠️ Attention: Completely disabling recommendations through the app settings may not have an immediate effect. It takes time (usually 24 to 48 hours) for the algorithms to adjust and stop offering you video content in your main news feed.
In addition to internal settings, check your system permissions. In the settings of your smartphone, find the VKontakte application, go to the “Notifications” section and uncheck the categories containing the word “Clips” or “Video”. This will create a double barrier to unwanted notifications. Android- smartphone, find the VKontakte application, go to the “Notifications” section and uncheck the categories containing the word “Clips” or “Video”. This will create a double barrier against unwanted alerts.
Hide the Clips tab from the bottom menu
One of the most annoying interface elements is the permanent “Clips” tab in the bottom navigation bar. It takes up space and often opens accidentally when scrolling through the feed. Fortunately, in the latest versions of the application it has become possible to edit the composition of the bottom menu, although this function may not be available to all users immediately.
To change the composition of the menu, go to the application settings and find the section Basic or Navigation. In some versions this item is called Menu. Here you will see a list of all available sections with radio buttons next to them. Find the “Clips” item and move the switch to the inactive position. After this, the icon will disappear from the bottom panel.
If the standard method is not available, you can try an alternative method through the display settings. Press and hold your finger on any icon in the bottom menu (if the application version supports editing gestures). An editing mode will appear where you can drag unnecessary tabs to a hidden area or replace them with more useful sections, for example, “Services” or “Widgets”.
- 📱 Go to
Settings→General. - 🗑️ Find the item Menu Composition or
Navigation. - ❌ Turn off the toggle switch next to the "Clips" section.
- ✅ Save changes and restart the application.
In some cases, the tab may return after a major application update. This is due to the fact that developers reset user interface settings when making global changes to the code structure. In such a situation, the hiding procedure will have to be repeated again by going to the same settings section.
If you can't find the hide tab setting, try updating the app to the latest version via Google Play. The menu customization feature was added gradually and may not be available in older builds.
Clearing cache and application data
Sometimes visual interface elements or stuck recommendations do not disappear even after changing settings. In such situations, completely clearing the cache and application data helps. This action will return the app to the “as after installation” state, deleting all temporary files that may store information about your video viewing preferences.
To perform cleaning, open the settings of your smartphone and go to the Applicationssection. Find it in the list VKontakte and click on it. Select item Storage or Memory. Here you will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Clear data”. First, try clearing only the cache - it’s safe and won’t require you to log in to your account again.
If clearing the cache did not help remove interface elements, you will have to use function Clear data. Be careful: this action will delete all saved app settings inside the phone, including downloaded offline files and draft messages. You will have to enter your login and password again the next time you start.
Android Settings → Applications → VKontakte → Storage → Clear dataAfter completing this procedure, the application will start with factory settings. The feed algorithms will begin to form anew, and if you do not go to the clips section, the system will gradually stop offering you this content. This is one of the most effective ways to “zero” the social network’s attitude towards your preferences.
| Action | Influence on the account | Login requirement | Effectiveness against clips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear cache | No | Not required | Low |
| Clear data | Reset application settings | Required | Medium |
| Disable notifications | No | Not required | High (for push notifications) |
| Hide tab | No | Not required | High (for interface) |
⚠️ Attention: Before clearing data, make sure you remember the password for your page. Also check if you have important draft messages or unsaved media files in the temporary memory of the application.
Using modified clients
For those who want to radically solve the problem and get advanced functionality, there are alternative social network clients. The most popular solution on the platform Android is the application VK Mod (or its analogues, such as Catogram or VFeed). These apps are created by independent developers and allow you to flexibly customize the interface, removing everything unnecessary.
Modified versions often have a separate settings section dedicated to the interface. There, you can remove the clips tab with one switch, disable automatic video playback in the feed, and even hide the “Games” section. This gives the user complete control over what he sees on the screen of his smartphone.
However, using third-party clients carries certain risks. Since these applications are not distributed through the official store Google Play, they must be downloaded from the developer sites. This requires care when choosing a source to avoid infecting your phone with malware. In addition, technical support of the official VKontakte does not guarantee the operation of such applications.
Where can I download safe mods?
Look for official developer channels in Telegram or on specialized forums such as w3bsit3-dns.com. Avoid sites with a lot of advertising and dubious links to download APK files. Always scan files with an antivirus before installation.
Installing a modified client requires permission to install from unknown sources in the security settings Android. After installing and logging into your account, you will have access to advanced privacy and interface settings that are not available in the official version. This is the best way to forget about the clips forever if standard methods do not help.
Configuring news feed algorithms
Even if you managed to hide the tab, clips may continue to appear in the main news feed between friends' posts. This happens because the algorithm considers such content to be engaging. To correct the situation, you need to manually “train” the feed, showing the system that you are not interested in the videos.
When you see a post with a clip in the feed, do not scroll through it silently. Click on the three dots in the corner of the post and select Hide or Do not show posts from...if this is a public page that publishes only videos. The option Less such contentis also often found. Using these tools gives a direct signal to the algorithm about your preferences.
Another effective method is active ignoring. If you accidentally open a clip, close it immediately without watching to the end. The system records the viewing time: if it is less than 3-5 seconds, the video is considered unsuccessful. Massive rapid closing of such videos will force the recommendation system to reduce their frequency in your search results.
- 🚫 Use the “Hide” button on posts with videos.
- ⏱️ Don’t linger on viewing, close immediately.
- 📉 Unsubscribe from public pages, publishing only clippings.
- 👍 Actively like text posts and photos to shift the balance.
Over time, the feed will become cleaner and contain more content that is interesting to you. This process requires discipline in the first few days, but the results are worth it. Your news feed will become a space for communication, and not an endless stream of entertaining videos.
VK algorithms react to user actions with a delay. To see real changes in the feed, you need to regularly use content hiding tools for 3-5 days.
Limiting background activity and traffic
If your goal is not only to remove the visual presence of clips, but also to prevent them from loading to save traffic and battery power, you can use system restrictions Android. The VKontakte application often preloads videos in the background, even if you are not watching them.
Go to the smartphone settings, section Applications → VKontakte → Mobile data. Here you can disable the option Background mode. This will prevent the app from loading content when it is minimized. As a result, the clips will not be loaded in advance, and you will not see their preview in the feed until you specifically open the application.
Also in the settings of the application itself there is a section Basic → Video quality. Set the quality to minimum or select the “Traffic saving” option. Some versions have a checkmark Do not play videos automatically. Turn it on so that videos start playing only when you click, which will eliminate accidental viewing and waste of resources.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling the background mode may lead to delays in receiving messages and updating the feed. You will only see new content after opening the application and refreshing the page manually.
These measures are especially relevant for users with unlimited tariffs for certain applications, where video traffic may not be charged, but consume the total gigabyte package. Limiting video downloads allows you to keep the consumption of device resources under control.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely remove the Clips section forever?
It is impossible to completely remove the functionality from the server side, since it is part of the architecture of the social network. However, you can hide the tab from the menu, turn off notifications, and stop seeing videos in your feed using the hide and clear history settings. To completely remove interface elements, modified clients will be required.
Why does the Clips tab return after an update?
Application developers often reset user interface settings to default values during major updates. This is done to introduce new features. You will have to go to the navigation settings again and turn off the display of this tab.
Is it safe to use VK Mod to delete clips?
Using third-party clients always carries a certain risk, since you are entrusting your data to a third-party developer. It is recommended to download such applications only from trusted sources, read reviews and not use them to enter critical financial information.
Does deleting browsing history affect recommendations in the web version?
Yes, browsing history is synchronized between the mobile application and the web version on the computer. By clearing the history on your phone, you will also clear it for the browser, which will affect the issuance of recommendations on all devices.
How to disable automatic video playback in the feed?
Go to the application settings, select the “General” or “Traffic Saving” section. Find the "Video Playback" option and select the "Wi-Fi Only" or "Never" option. This will prevent videos from automatically starting when scrolling the feed.