5 Ways to Block YouTube on iPhone and iPad

Quick Tips

• You can change the age limit to 12 + in the Content Restrictions settings menu. This prevents the usage of YouTube, which is rated at 17+.
• Additionally, you can also prevent installing apps from the App Store once you uninstall YouTube from your device.
• You can also prevent opening YouTube through Safari on your iOS device.

Method 1: Enable Age Rating Restrictions

YouTube is rated for 17 years and older on the App Store. In the content restrictions menu, you can allow only apps that are rated 12+. This restricts the usage of YouTube on your iOS device.

Step 1: Open Settings > Screen Time. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 2: Select Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content.

Step 3: Select Apps, and select 12+ on the next screen.

Method 2: Add App Limit to YouTube

If you add a time limit to an app on your iOS device, it cannot be opened after a certain period of usage.

Step 1: Open Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.

Step 2: Select Add Limit, select YouTube from the list of apps, and add a time limit.

Method 3: Prevent Installing Apps

If you’ve uninstalled YouTube on your iOS device, how do you stop your child from installing it again? Here’s how you can prevent the installation of new apps on your iOS device.

Step 1: Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases.

Step 2: Select Installing Apps, and select Don’t Allow.

Method 4: Block YouTube in Safari

Here’s how you can prevent someone from opening YouTube on Safari.

Step 1: Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions >Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content.

Step 2: Select Web Content, and check Limit Adult Websites. Under the NEVER ALLOW: section, tap on Add Website and add the URL for YouTube.

If you’re worried about someone changing the above settings – you can protect them by adding the screen time passcode.

Method 5: Lock YouTube With TouchID (iOS 18)

iOS 18 brings in the much-awaited app lock feature. This lets you open an app only after you use TouchID.

Tap and hold an app, and select Require Touch ID. You can opt for just Require Touch ID, or Hide and Require TouchID. If you opt for the latter, you can find the app in the Hidden Section of the App Library.

Also Read: How to remove or reset a forgotten Screen Time Passcode on iPhone and Mac.