Using WordPress ‘remove_meta_box()’ PHP function

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The remove_meta_box() WordPress PHP function removes a meta box from one or more screens.

Usage

remove_meta_box( $id, $screen, $context );

Parameters

  • $id (string) – Meta box ID (used in the ‘id’ attribute for the meta box)
  • $screen (string|array|WP_Screen) – The screen or screens on which the meta box is shown (such as a post type, ‘link’, or ‘comment’). Accepts a single screen ID, WP_Screen object, or array of screen IDs.
  • $context (string) – The context within the screen where the box is set to display. Contexts vary from screen to screen. Post edit screen contexts include ‘normal’, ‘side’, and ‘advanced’. Comments screen contexts include ‘normal’ and ‘side’. Menus meta boxes (accordion sections) all use the ‘side’ context.

More information

See WordPress Developer Resources: remove_meta_box()

Examples

Remove Custom Fields meta box from the Post edit screen

add_action( 'admin_menu', 'wpdocs_remove_post_custom_fields' );

// Remove Custom Fields meta box
function wpdocs_remove_post_custom_fields() {
    remove_meta_box( 'postcustom', 'post', 'normal' );
}

Remove all dashboard widgets

add_action('wp_dashboard_setup', 'wpdocs_remove_dashboard_widgets');

// Remove all dashboard widgets
function wpdocs_remove_dashboard_widgets(){
    remove_meta_box('dashboard_right_now', 'dashboard', 'normal'); // Right Now
    remove_meta_box('dashboard_recent_comments', 'dashboard', 'normal'); // Recent Comments
    remove_meta_box('dashboard_incoming_links', 'dashboard', 'normal'); // Incoming Links
    remove_meta_box('dashboard_plugins', 'dashboard', 'normal'); // Plugins
    remove_meta_box('dashboard_quick_press', 'dashboard', 'side'); // Quick Press
    remove_meta_box('dashboard_recent_drafts', 'dashboard', 'side'); // Recent Drafts
    remove_meta_box('dashboard_primary', 'dashboard', 'side'); // WordPress blog
    remove_meta_box('dashboard_secondary', 'dashboard', 'side'); // Other WordPress News
}

Remove meta boxes created by plugins

For instances when you want to limit meta boxes by user capability, use the do_meta_boxes action instead of admin_menu.

add_action( 'do_meta_boxes', 'wpdocs_remove_plugin_meta_boxes' );

// Remove plugin meta boxes
function wpdocs_remove_plugin_meta_boxes() {
    remove_meta_box( 'example_plugin_meta_box_id', 'post', 'normal' );
}

Remove meta box from multiple screens

add_action( 'admin_menu', 'wpdocs_remove_multiple_screens_meta_box' );

// Remove meta box from multiple screens
function wpdocs_remove_multiple_screens_meta_box() {
    $screens = array( 'post', 'page', 'custom_post_type' );
    foreach ( $screens as $screen ) {
        remove_meta_box( 'example_meta_box_id', $screen, 'normal' );
    }
}

Remove meta box based on user role

add_action( 'do_meta_boxes', 'wpdocs_remove_meta_box_based_on_role' );

// Remove meta box based on user role
function wpdocs_remove_meta_box_based_on_role() {
    if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) {
        remove_meta_box( 'example_meta