Table of Contents<\/h4>\nAt a Glance: Turn Off Restricted Mode on YouTube<\/a>
\nHow to Turn Off YouTube Restricted Mode on a Computer<\/a>
\nWhy Can\u2019t I Turn Off Restricted Mode on YouTube?<\/a>
\nWhy Does Restricted Mode Keep Turning Back On?<\/a>
\nHow to Turn On YouTube Restricted Mode<\/a>
\nWhat Is YouTube Restricted Mode?<\/a>
\nHow Does YouTube Restricted Mode Work?<\/a>
\nFAQ<\/a>
<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\nAt a Glance: Turn Off Restricted Mode on YouTube<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Turning Restricted Mode off is usually easy:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n- Open YouTube and sign in.<\/li>\n\n\n
- Select your profile picture.<\/li>\n\n\n
- Go to Restricted Mode under your account settings.<\/li>\n\n\n
- Toggle Restricted Mode off.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How to Turn Off YouTube Restricted Mode on a Computer\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The steps below use Chrome as an example, but they work the same way in other browsers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Sign in to YouTube, click your profile picture in the top-right corner, and then scroll to Restricted Mode.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-41-1024x537.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Toggle Restricted Mode<\/em> off. YouTube may briefly reload or update to reflect the change.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"YouTube's](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-41-1024x537-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>
Note:<\/strong> If the toggle is grayed out and you can\u2019t turn Restricted Mode off, it may be locked in the browser you\u2019re currently using. In that case, you\u2019ll see Unlock Restricted Mode on this browser<\/em> under your Restricted Mode settings. Clicking it unlocks the setting, but YouTube will ask you to confirm your account with your password first.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to Disable Restricted Mode On iOS and Android<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Turning off Restricted Mode on the YouTube mobile app is easy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Open the YouTube app and tap your profile icon on the bottom right.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Disable-YouTube-Restricted-Mode-471x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Tap the cogwheel icon on the top right.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Disable-YouTube-Restricted-Mode-1-471x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- In the Settings menu, tap General<\/em>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Disable-YouTube-Restricted-Mode-2-471x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Find the Restricted Mode<\/em> setting and toggle it off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"Restricted](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Disable-YouTube-Restricted-Mode-4-471x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow to Disable YouTube Restricted Mode On a Smart TV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Follow these steps to turn off Restricted Mode on the YouTube smart TV app:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Open the YouTube app on your TV.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Navigate to Settings > Restricted Mode.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Choose Off.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Why Can\u2019t I Turn Off Restricted Mode on YouTube?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If the Restricted Mode switch is unavailable or stays on after you change it, something outside the YouTube app or browser may be controlling it. Check what\u2019s enforcing it before clearing data or reinstalling anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check YouTube\u2019s Content Restrictions Page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Open YouTube\u2019s content restrictions<\/a> page to see where the restriction is coming from. You\u2019ll see two main sections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Restrictions on your personal account:<\/strong> Shows whether Restricted Mode is turned on for your own YouTube or Google account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Restrictions on your organization network:<\/strong> Shows whether a school, workplace, or network is forcing Restricted Mode.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The organization section checks for two network controls. One is Domain Name System (DNS) restrictions<\/a>,<\/strong> where the network routes YouTube through a filtered version of its service, which may appear as moderate or strict filtering.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) header restrictions, where the network adds an instruction to YouTube traffic telling it to apply filtering. Schools and workplaces commonly use this method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If both checks are off, YouTube isn\u2019t detecting either form of network enforcement. If you still can\u2019t turn off Restricted Mode, the cause is more likely your account, Family Link, a managed device, or a local browser or app setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check Which Google Account You\u2019re Using<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
On a shared device, you might be signed in to a child\u2019s account or an account managed by your school or workplace. Click your profile picture and check the email address shown. Make sure it\u2019s the account you actually want to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On a personal device, try switching to a different account you own, or sign out and use YouTube without logging in. If Restricted Mode disappears, the original account is likely supervised or managed. If the toggle is still grayed out, the device or network is probably the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check Family Link or Account Supervision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If a parent enables Restricted Mode through Family Link, the child can\u2019t turn it off while signed in with the supervised Google Account. The parent must change the setting through Family Link. On the parent\u2019s device:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Open the Family Link app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Select the child\u2019s account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tap Controls<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tap Content restrictions,<\/em> then select YouTube<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Turn Restricted Mode<\/em> off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Check for School or Work Restrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A school or employer can restrict YouTube through a managed Google Account, device policy, or organization network. The Restricted Mode switch may be unavailable even in a personal browser if the device or network enforces the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Open the content restrictions<\/a> page while on the organization\u2019s device or network. If it identifies an administrator, you\u2019ll need to ask that administrator to change the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCheck Your Network Provider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode may be enforced by the network you\u2019re using rather than by YouTube itself. This can happen when your internet provider applies a content filter or when your router uses a DNS filtering service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To test this, switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa). If you can turn Restricted Mode off on the other connection, the original network is likely applying the restriction. In that case, check its parental-control or DNS settings, or contact whoever manages the connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fix a YouTube App or Browser Problem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If YouTube\u2019s restrictions page shows no account or network controls, the problem may be limited to your browser or app. Start by reloading YouTube, then close and reopen the browser or app. Install any available updates before testing the setting again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On a computer, open YouTube in a private or incognito<\/a> window. If Restricted Mode is off there but remains on in your regular browser, a browser extension, cookie, or saved site setting may be affecting YouTube. Disable content-filtering extensions one at a time, reloading YouTube after each change.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThen, while YouTube is open, click the site information icon beside the web address. Select Cookies and site data<\/em><\/a> > Manage on-device site data<\/em>, then remove any entries for YouTube and click Done<\/em>. If no YouTube entry appears, skip this step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Chrome\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-42-1024x558.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhy Does Restricted Mode Keep Turning Back On?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode may seem to turn itself back on when you open YouTube somewhere else or sign in with an account that uses different settings. Common causes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Different browser or profile:<\/strong> Turning Restricted Mode off in one browser or profile doesn\u2019t change it in another.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Another device:<\/strong> The setting on your computer doesn\u2019t automatically apply to your phone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming device.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Supervised or managed account:<\/strong> A work-managed or Daily Link account may have Restricted Mode enabled even when your personal account doesn\u2019t.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Filtered network:<\/strong> Restricted Mode may appear again when you join a network that enforces YouTube filtering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Organizational device policy:<\/strong> A school or employer policy may keep Restricted Mode on even after you try to change it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to Turn On YouTube Restricted Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To turn Restricted Mode on for your own browser or device, follow the earlier instructions and switch the setting on instead of off. If you don\u2019t want a child (or anyone else) to turn it off, you\u2019ll need to lock Restricted Mode as well:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Open YouTube, sign in with your Google credentials, and click your profile icon.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Find Restricted Mode<\/em> and toggle it on.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Click Lock Restricted Mode on this browser.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"Locking](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-42-1024x537.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Enter your Google account password to confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-43-1024x542.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThrough Google Workspace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google Workspace administrators with the required permissions can restrict which videos signed-in organization users can watch. To do this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Open the Google Admin console.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Navigate to Menu > Apps > Additional Google services > YouTube.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Select Content settings > Setup<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Check Signed in users in your organization can only watch restricted and approved videos,<\/em> then click Save<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Open Settings for YouTube > Permissions.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Choose the organizational unit or configuration group you want to manage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Select Strict Restricted YouTube access<\/em> or Moderate Restricted YouTube access.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n- Click Save<\/em>. If the organizational unit inherits its setting from another unit, the button may say Override<\/em> instead.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Strict access filters more videos, while Moderate access leaves a larger selection available. For the restriction to apply, the user must be signed in to their Google Workspace for Education account, and YouTube must be turned on for their organizational unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more:<\/strong>\u00a0 How to block websites on a phone, computer, browser, or router<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is YouTube Restricted Mode?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode is a YouTube setting that filters out potentially mature or sensitive content. It hides videos that may contain inappropriate content, and it also automatically hides all comments, regardless of whether the video is flagged as inappropriate or not (in case someone posts something inappropriate in the comment section).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a safety feature designed for kids, schools, workplaces, and other settings where people want more control over what appears on YouTube. You can also use it to avoid upsetting content or to stay focused while working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Does YouTube Restricted Mode Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
YouTube uses automated systems to filter videos based on signals such as the title, description, metadata, spoken language, and existing age restrictions. Community Guidelines reviews can also influence whether a video appears in Restricted Mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The filter may hide videos involving drug or alcohol use, detailed sexual content, graphic violence, strong language, or deliberately demeaning material. It can also restrict mature coverage of war or terrorism. Results may vary by language, and the system can misread context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Changes When Restricted Mode Is On?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some videos may disappear from search results or become unavailable when opened directly. YouTube also hides comments on every video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode affects YouTube Music as well. Songs or albums marked Explicit<\/em> may appear in search results but won\u2019t play. The setting can still miss mature content, so it shouldn\u2019t replace broader parental controls<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRestricted Mode vs. Age Restriction on YouTube<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode applies a broad filter across YouTube, while an age restriction applies to one specific video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a Glance: Turn Off Restricted Mode on YouTube<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Turning Restricted Mode off is usually easy:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n\n
- Open YouTube and sign in.<\/li>\n\n\n
- Select your profile picture.<\/li>\n\n\n
- Go to Restricted Mode under your account settings.<\/li>\n\n\n
- Toggle Restricted Mode off.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How to Turn Off YouTube Restricted Mode on a Computer\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The steps below use Chrome as an example, but they work the same way in other browsers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Sign in to YouTube, click your profile picture in the top-right corner, and then scroll to Restricted Mode.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
- \n
- Toggle Restricted Mode<\/em> off. YouTube may briefly reload or update to reflect the change.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/p>
Note:<\/strong> If the toggle is grayed out and you can\u2019t turn Restricted Mode off, it may be locked in the browser you\u2019re currently using. In that case, you\u2019ll see Unlock Restricted Mode on this browser<\/em> under your Restricted Mode settings. Clicking it unlocks the setting, but YouTube will ask you to confirm your account with your password first.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How to Disable Restricted Mode On iOS and Android<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Turning off Restricted Mode on the YouTube mobile app is easy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Open the YouTube app and tap your profile icon on the bottom right.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
- \n
- Tap the cogwheel icon on the top right.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
- \n
- In the Settings menu, tap General<\/em>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
- \n
- Find the Restricted Mode<\/em> setting and toggle it off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
How to Disable YouTube Restricted Mode On a Smart TV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Follow these steps to turn off Restricted Mode on the YouTube smart TV app:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Open the YouTube app on your TV.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Navigate to Settings > Restricted Mode.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Choose Off.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Why Can\u2019t I Turn Off Restricted Mode on YouTube?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If the Restricted Mode switch is unavailable or stays on after you change it, something outside the YouTube app or browser may be controlling it. Check what\u2019s enforcing it before clearing data or reinstalling anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check YouTube\u2019s Content Restrictions Page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Open YouTube\u2019s content restrictions<\/a> page to see where the restriction is coming from. You\u2019ll see two main sections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Restrictions on your personal account:<\/strong> Shows whether Restricted Mode is turned on for your own YouTube or Google account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Restrictions on your organization network:<\/strong> Shows whether a school, workplace, or network is forcing Restricted Mode.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The organization section checks for two network controls. One is Domain Name System (DNS) restrictions<\/a>,<\/strong> where the network routes YouTube through a filtered version of its service, which may appear as moderate or strict filtering.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) header restrictions, where the network adds an instruction to YouTube traffic telling it to apply filtering. Schools and workplaces commonly use this method.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf both checks are off, YouTube isn\u2019t detecting either form of network enforcement. If you still can\u2019t turn off Restricted Mode, the cause is more likely your account, Family Link, a managed device, or a local browser or app setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check Which Google Account You\u2019re Using<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
On a shared device, you might be signed in to a child\u2019s account or an account managed by your school or workplace. Click your profile picture and check the email address shown. Make sure it\u2019s the account you actually want to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On a personal device, try switching to a different account you own, or sign out and use YouTube without logging in. If Restricted Mode disappears, the original account is likely supervised or managed. If the toggle is still grayed out, the device or network is probably the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check Family Link or Account Supervision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If a parent enables Restricted Mode through Family Link, the child can\u2019t turn it off while signed in with the supervised Google Account. The parent must change the setting through Family Link. On the parent\u2019s device:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Open the Family Link app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Select the child\u2019s account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tap Controls<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tap Content restrictions,<\/em> then select YouTube<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Turn Restricted Mode<\/em> off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Check for School or Work Restrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A school or employer can restrict YouTube through a managed Google Account, device policy, or organization network. The Restricted Mode switch may be unavailable even in a personal browser if the device or network enforces the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Open the content restrictions<\/a> page while on the organization\u2019s device or network. If it identifies an administrator, you\u2019ll need to ask that administrator to change the policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check Your Network Provider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode may be enforced by the network you\u2019re using rather than by YouTube itself. This can happen when your internet provider applies a content filter or when your router uses a DNS filtering service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To test this, switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa). If you can turn Restricted Mode off on the other connection, the original network is likely applying the restriction. In that case, check its parental-control or DNS settings, or contact whoever manages the connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fix a YouTube App or Browser Problem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If YouTube\u2019s restrictions page shows no account or network controls, the problem may be limited to your browser or app. Start by reloading YouTube, then close and reopen the browser or app. Install any available updates before testing the setting again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On a computer, open YouTube in a private or incognito<\/a> window. If Restricted Mode is off there but remains on in your regular browser, a browser extension, cookie, or saved site setting may be affecting YouTube. Disable content-filtering extensions one at a time, reloading YouTube after each change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, while YouTube is open, click the site information icon beside the web address. Select Cookies and site data<\/em><\/a> > Manage on-device site data<\/em>, then remove any entries for YouTube and click Done<\/em>. If no YouTube entry appears, skip this step.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhy Does Restricted Mode Keep Turning Back On?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode may seem to turn itself back on when you open YouTube somewhere else or sign in with an account that uses different settings. Common causes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Different browser or profile:<\/strong> Turning Restricted Mode off in one browser or profile doesn\u2019t change it in another.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Another device:<\/strong> The setting on your computer doesn\u2019t automatically apply to your phone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming device.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Supervised or managed account:<\/strong> A work-managed or Daily Link account may have Restricted Mode enabled even when your personal account doesn\u2019t.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Filtered network:<\/strong> Restricted Mode may appear again when you join a network that enforces YouTube filtering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Organizational device policy:<\/strong> A school or employer policy may keep Restricted Mode on even after you try to change it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to Turn On YouTube Restricted Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To turn Restricted Mode on for your own browser or device, follow the earlier instructions and switch the setting on instead of off. If you don\u2019t want a child (or anyone else) to turn it off, you\u2019ll need to lock Restricted Mode as well:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Open YouTube, sign in with your Google credentials, and click your profile icon.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Find Restricted Mode<\/em> and toggle it on.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Click Lock Restricted Mode on this browser.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
- \n
- Enter your Google account password to confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Through Google Workspace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google Workspace administrators with the required permissions can restrict which videos signed-in organization users can watch. To do this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Open the Google Admin console.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Navigate to Menu > Apps > Additional Google services > YouTube.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Select Content settings > Setup<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Check Signed in users in your organization can only watch restricted and approved videos,<\/em> then click Save<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Open Settings for YouTube > Permissions.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Choose the organizational unit or configuration group you want to manage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Select Strict Restricted YouTube access<\/em> or Moderate Restricted YouTube access.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Click Save<\/em>. If the organizational unit inherits its setting from another unit, the button may say Override<\/em> instead.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Strict access filters more videos, while Moderate access leaves a larger selection available. For the restriction to apply, the user must be signed in to their Google Workspace for Education account, and YouTube must be turned on for their organizational unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more:<\/strong>\u00a0 How to block websites on a phone, computer, browser, or router<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is YouTube Restricted Mode?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode is a YouTube setting that filters out potentially mature or sensitive content. It hides videos that may contain inappropriate content, and it also automatically hides all comments, regardless of whether the video is flagged as inappropriate or not (in case someone posts something inappropriate in the comment section).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a safety feature designed for kids, schools, workplaces, and other settings where people want more control over what appears on YouTube. You can also use it to avoid upsetting content or to stay focused while working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Does YouTube Restricted Mode Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
YouTube uses automated systems to filter videos based on signals such as the title, description, metadata, spoken language, and existing age restrictions. Community Guidelines reviews can also influence whether a video appears in Restricted Mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The filter may hide videos involving drug or alcohol use, detailed sexual content, graphic violence, strong language, or deliberately demeaning material. It can also restrict mature coverage of war or terrorism. Results may vary by language, and the system can misread context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Changes When Restricted Mode Is On?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some videos may disappear from search results or become unavailable when opened directly. YouTube also hides comments on every video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode affects YouTube Music as well. Songs or albums marked Explicit<\/em> may appear in search results but won\u2019t play. The setting can still miss mature content, so it shouldn\u2019t replace broader parental controls<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode vs. Age Restriction on YouTube<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Restricted Mode applies a broad filter across YouTube, while an age restriction applies to one specific video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Click Save<\/em>. If the organizational unit inherits its setting from another unit, the button may say Override<\/em> instead.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Select Strict Restricted YouTube access<\/em> or Moderate Restricted YouTube access.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Choose the organizational unit or configuration group you want to manage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Open Settings for YouTube > Permissions.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Check Signed in users in your organization can only watch restricted and approved videos,<\/em> then click Save<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Select Content settings > Setup<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Navigate to Menu > Apps > Additional Google services > YouTube.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Open the Google Admin console.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Enter your Google account password to confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- Click Lock Restricted Mode on this browser.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- Find Restricted Mode<\/em> and toggle it on.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Another device:<\/strong> The setting on your computer doesn\u2019t automatically apply to your phone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming device.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tap Content restrictions,<\/em> then select YouTube<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Restrictions on your organization network:<\/strong> Shows whether a school, workplace, or network is forcing Restricted Mode.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Restrictions on your personal account:<\/strong> Shows whether Restricted Mode is turned on for your own YouTube or Google account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Choose Off.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Navigate to Settings > Restricted Mode.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Open the YouTube app on your TV.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Find the Restricted Mode<\/em> setting and toggle it off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- In the Settings menu, tap General<\/em>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- Tap the cogwheel icon on the top right.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- Open the YouTube app and tap your profile icon on the bottom right.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- Toggle Restricted Mode<\/em> off. YouTube may briefly reload or update to reflect the change.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- Sign in to YouTube, click your profile picture in the top-right corner, and then scroll to Restricted Mode.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n