How to Block YouTube on Mobile: Simple Steps for Android & iOS

As we know YouTube is an endless source of entertainment. And if you will agree with me whenever you start watching youtube to pass your time you won’t even realise how much time has passed, and sometimes you will face inappropriate content when you are watching youtube with your kids or your kids watching the youtube alone. So it becomes important for you to block it on your mobile device. Whether you want to protect children from the inappropriate content available on youtube, improve your productivity in work, or control data usage, blocking YouTube can help with these situations.

If you are looking for a way to block YouTube on mobile, this guide will give you all the info you need to know. We will help you in blocking the youtube channel whether you want to block it on android or iphones.

Reasons to Block YouTube on Mobile

Here are a few common reasons why would someone want to block YouTube on their mobile phone?

• Parental Controls: There is appropriate content is available on youtube and you may want to prevent your children from watching these videos. Blocking YouTube ensures that they won’t be able to open or launch youtube in mobile phone.
• Productivity: YouTube can be distracting when you really want to focus on your work or your children have to study. The urge of opening youtube hits you again and again. Blocking youtube will help you avoid distractions and help you get more focused.
• Data Usage: When you start watching videos on YouTube, you will not know when your data is exhausted. By blocking YouTube, you can reduce data consumption, because most of the data we use is mainly used in our entertainment or video content.

There are several reasons to block YouTube on mobile devices. Sometimes it is about increasing productivity but sometimes it is for our childrens to control their screen time, ensuring content safety and helping them engage with other activities.

Methods to Block YouTube on Android Devices

Using Built-In Parental Controls

Android has built-in features to block apps like YouTube. Here’s how you can use parental controls:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap the Menu and go to Settings.
3. Under User controls, select Parental controls and turn it on.
4. Set up a PIN and choose the app restrictions based on age ratings, which will block YouTube for younger users.

Alternatively, you can use Google Family Link:

1. Download the Google Family Link app from Google Play.
2. Set up a child account and link it to your Google account.
3. In Google Family Link, go to the child’s device and set app restrictions to block YouTube.

Third-Party Apps

There are several apps designed for blocking content. Some popular options include:

• Qustodio
• Net Nanny
• Mobile Fence

To block YouTube using these apps:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Set up the app with your account details.
3. In the app’s settings, block YouTube or restrict it based on time limits.

Blocking YouTube via Hosts File (Advanced Users)

This method is for advanced users who have rooted Android devices. You can block YouTube by editing the hosts file.

1. Download a file manager with root access, you can use ES File Explorer.
2. Navigate to /system/etc/hosts.
3. Open the hosts file and add the line 127.0.0.1 youtube.com to block YouTube.

Remember, this method requires root access, and modifying system files can be risky. Proceed with caution.

The following sections will guide you on how to block YouTube on mobile for Android devices using built-in features and third-party apps.

Methods to Block YouTube on iPhone (iOS Devices)

Using iOS Screen Time

iPhones have a built-in feature called Screen Time, which lets you block apps like YouTube. Here’s how you can block YouTube:

1. Go to Settings and select Screen Time.
2. Choose App Limits and tap Add Limit.
3. Select Entertainment and choose YouTube.
4. Set a time limit or block it entirely by setting the time limit to 0.

Blocking YouTube via Router Settings

You can also use your router if you  want to block YouTube across your entire network, just by using your Wi-Fi router’s settings:

1. Log into your router’s admin panel. This is usually done by typing the router’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.1) into a browser.
2. Go to the Parental Controls or Access Restrictions section.
3. Add youtube.com to the blocked sites list.

Each router has different steps, so you may need to check your router’s manual for specific instructions.

To block YouTube on mobile for iOS devices, you can use the Screen Time feature or network-level controls through your router.

How to Block YouTube in Specific Browsers on Mobile

For Chrome Mobile Browser

If you only want to block YouTube in Chrome, here’s how:

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. Download a content filter extension, such as BlockSite.
3. In the extension’s settings, add youtube.com to the blocked sites list.

For Safari Mobile Browser

Safari users can block YouTube with the built-in restrictions feature:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Tap Content Restrictions, then tap Web Content.
3. Choose Limit Adult Websites and add youtube.com to the Never Allow list.

In addition to the methods above, you can block YouTube on mobile browsers such as Chrome and Safari.

Alternative Approaches: Limiting YouTube Usage on Mobile

If you don’t want to fully block YouTube, here are some alternatives to limit its usage:

• Time Management Apps: Apps like Freedom or StayFocusd allow you to set time limits for YouTube usage.
• YouTube Restricted Mode: This mode filters out adult content. You can enable it in the YouTube app settings.
• App Timers: On both Android and iOS, you can set daily time limits for apps like YouTube.

If you’re not looking to fully block YouTube on mobile but want to limit its usage, consider using these alternative approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can I block YouTube on specific devices but not in all?

A. Yes, you can block YouTube on your specific devices using parental controls and other  third-party apps while and choose which device you want to block.

Q. How to unblock YouTube on mobile if I need to access it again?

A. You can unblock YouTube by reversing the steps used to block it. For example, remove YouTube from restricted apps in Screen Time or third-party app settings.

Q. Will blocking YouTube affect other Google services?

A. No, blocking YouTube won’t affect services like Gmail or Google Drive. It only restricts access to the YouTube app or website.

If you need to know how you can block youtube channels for you then you can read our blog on how to block youtube channels.

Final Thought

So now we know how we can block youtube on any device, you have control over screen time and content access on your mobile device. Whether you’re using Android, iOS, or network-level blocking, choose the method that fits your needs. Always stay informed about new content management tools to ensure a safer and more productive digital experience.

If you found this guide on blocking YouTube on mobile helpful, be sure to check out our blog on how to block YouTube channels and how to block comments on YouTube for more personalized control over your content.