YouTube is testing a cleaner way to watch Shorts, and the new option is aimed at removing some of the on-screen clutter that currently surrounds vertical videos. The feature, called “Clear Screen,” suggests a push toward a more focused viewing experience on small displays.
In the current Shorts layout, YouTube places several action buttons along the right side of the screen while a video is playing. Likes, dislikes, comments, sharing tools, and other options all remain visible at once, while the creator’s account name and caption sit near the bottom.
That setup has drawn complaints for a long time. On Reddit and elsewhere, users have repeatedly pointed out that the interface feels crowded and makes it harder to concentrate on the video itself.
A clearer viewing mode may now be close. App researcher Radu Oncescu found that YouTube is testing a new “Clear Screen” option inside the Shorts viewer menu, which appears to be part of a broader effort to reduce visual distractions.
Although the feature has not been explained in detail, the icon attached to it points strongly toward a fuller viewing mode. The symbol uses a diagonal arrow pointing outward, which suggests that the screen could expand and hide elements that are not essential during playback.
If that interpretation is correct, Shorts would become more video-first and less interface-heavy. The main content would get more space, while the surrounding controls would recede from view.
YouTube would not be the first platform to move in that direction. Instagram and TikTok already offer cleaner presentation styles for short-form video, and Instagram Reels includes a “View fullscreen” control that removes action buttons from the screen.
That comparison matters because YouTube appears to be following a familiar pattern rather than inventing a new one. The company seems to be refining Shorts so it feels more immersive, even as the format continues to carry a large amount of attention inside the app.
The timing is notable because Shorts has long been one of YouTube’s more divisive product decisions. Some users have argued that short-form video was pushed into an experience that had traditionally centered on longer clips.
One of the biggest complaints was the lack of an option to turn Shorts off. At first, users had little control over whether the format appeared in their YouTube experience.
That situation has already started to change. Last month, Google quietly introduced a way to disable Shorts in the YouTube feed, giving users more room to focus on standard videos if they prefer.
Even so, the new testing does not suggest a retreat from Shorts. Instead, “Clear Screen” points to a different goal: making short videos easier to watch without reducing their role in the app.
There are still open questions about how the feature will work. It is not yet clear whether YouTube will add a special gesture to activate it, similar to the gesture Instagram once used for fullscreen viewing in Reels.
That detail may matter because Instagram later removed that gesture in an update without much explanation. YouTube could decide to keep things simpler and limit activation to the menu option alone.
For now, the feature remains in testing and is not available to the public. YouTube has not said when “Clear Screen” will roll out more widely, so users who do not see the option yet are simply not in the test group.
If it does launch, the feature could offer a straightforward fix for viewers who find Shorts too crowded. It would not change what Shorts is, but it could make the viewing area feel cleaner and more centered on the video itself.
