How to Block YouTube on iPad

The best ways to restrict access to YouTube from an iPad

By
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Writer
  • Ithaca College
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
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Updated on July 8, 2022
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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What To Know

  • Block app: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Apps > 12+.
  • Block site: Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites > Add Website.
  • Protect settings with passcode: Settings > Screen Time > Use Screen Time Passcode > enter passcode twice.

This article explains how to restrict YouTube on an iPad by blocking the YouTube App and website.

How to Block the YouTube App on iPad

To make sure the YouTube app can't be installed on an iPad (or to hide the app if you already installed it), follow these steps:

  1. Tap Settings.

    iPad home screen with Settings highlighted

  2. Tap Screen Time.

    Screen Time is Apple's feature for tracking how much time you spend with your devices and giving you control over what you use and for how long.

  3. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions.

    Screen Time settings with Content & Privacy Restrictions highlighted

  4. Move the Content & Privacy Restrictions slider to on/green.

  5. Tap Content Restrictions.

    iPad Content & Privacy Restrictions turned on and Content Restrictions highlighted

  6. Tap Apps.

    iPad Content Restrictions settings with Apps highlighted

  7. Tap 12+. This rating prevents apps rated for 12 and over from being installed on the iPad (YouTube falls into this category). If you've already installed these apps, this setting will hide them.

    Apple doesn't give you a way to block only the YouTube app itself. You can only block all apps that match specific criteria—in this case, the age rating. Unfortunately, this may block other apps that you like.

    iPad Content Restrictions settings for Apps with 12+ highlighted

  8. Using a Screen Time passcode, you can lock this setting down so your employee or child can't change it. To do that, go to Settings > Screen Time.

  9. Tap Use Screen Time Passcode.

    iPad Settings app showing Screen Time Passcode option

  10. Enter the passcode you want to use twice to set it. Make sure to pick something the iPad's user won't guess and don't use the same passcode you use to unlock the iPad.

    Screen Time passcode field on iPad

You can also block all third-party apps from being installed using the App Store. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > slider to on/green > Content Restrictions > Apps > Don't Allow Apps. You may want to delete the YouTube app first.

How to Block the YouTube Website on iPad

Blocking the YouTube website is easier than blocking the app. For that, you can block this one site and no others by following these steps:

These settings only apply to the pre-installed Safari web browser. For third-party web browsers, like Chrome, you'll need to use different approaches.

  1. Tap Settings.

    Settings app highlighted on the iPad

  2. Tap Screen Time.

  3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

    Screen Time settings with Content & Privacy Restrictions highlighted

  4. Move the Content & Privacy Restrictions slider to on/green.

  5. Tap Content Restrictions.

    Content & Privacy Restrictions slider turned on and Content Restrictions highlighted on iPad

  6. Tap Web Content.

    iPad Screen Time settings with Web Content highlighted

  7. Tap Limit Adult Websites. This setting blocks access to all websites categorized by Apple as being adult.

  8. YouTube is not an adult site, so you must block it separately. In the Never Allow section, tap Add Website.

    iPad Web Content Restriction with Limit Adult Websites and Add Website highlighted

    You can also approach this in the opposite direction and create a list of sites that are the only ones the iPad can access by tapping Allowed Websites Only and then entering the list. It's an excellent method for very young kids.

  9. Enter "www.youtube.com" in the URL field on the Add Website screen.

    Adding YouTube to list of blocked websites on iPad

  10. Using a Screen Time passcode, you can lock this setting down so your employee or child can't change it. To do that, go to Settings > Screen Time.

  11. Tap Use Screen Time Passcode.

    iPad Settings app showing Screen Time Passcode option

  12. Enter the passcode you want to use twice to set it. Make sure to pick something the iPad's user won't guess and don't use the same passcode you use to unlock the iPad.

    Setting a Screen Time passcode on iPad
FAQ
  • How do I block YouTube on an iPhone?

    The steps in iOS will be the same as in iPadOS. Use Screen Time to limit both the app and the website in Settings.

  • How do I block YouTube channels?

    To block a single channel, navigate to its main page in the app. Then, select the More icon (three vertical dots) in the upper-right corner and select Block user. This option only stops that user from commenting on your videos, however. You can tell YouTube not to recommend posts from channels on your main feed by clicking More > Don't recommend channel, but you'll still be able to visit the channel manually.

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