How to Block YouTube on Android (Google Family Link)
Block YouTube on Android phones and tablets using Google Family Link. Free, works on all Android devices with a child Google account.
What You'll Need
- The Android phone or tablet your child uses
- A Google account for your child (under 13, managed by you)
- The Google Family Link app on your phone (free, Android or iOS)
- About 15 minutes
Google Family Link is Google's free parental controls system. It links your child's Google account to your parent account and lets you approve app installs, block apps, filter web content, and see device activity — all from your phone.
Part 1: Create a Child Google Account
If your child already has a Google account you manage through Family Link, skip to Part 2.
Go to myaccount.google.com/family
On your phone or computer, go to myaccount.google.com/family and sign in with your own Google account.
Create a supervised account
Tap Add a family member → Create account for a child. Enter your child's name and date of birth. You'll be their parent supervisor.
Set up the account on their Android device
On their device, go to Settings → Accounts → Add Account → Google and sign in with the new child account. Family Link supervision attaches automatically for accounts under 13.
Part 2: Install Family Link and Link Devices
Install Google Family Link on your phone
Search for Google Family Link in the Play Store or App Store and install it. Sign in with your parent Google account.
Add your child in Family Link
Tap the + icon → Add a child. Sign in with your child's Google account to link it.
Accept supervision on their device
On their Android device, they'll see a notification asking to link to Family Link. Tap Accept. Their device now appears in your Family Link dashboard.
Part 3: Block the YouTube App
Open Family Link and select your child
In the Family Link app, tap your child's name.
Go to App Activity
Tap Controls → App activity (or Apps depending on your Android version). You'll see a list of all installed apps.
Block YouTube
Find YouTube in the list and tap it. Toggle Allow app to OFF. The app will be blocked — your child will see a "blocked by Family Link" message when they try to open it.
Block YouTube Kids if present
Repeat for YouTube Kids if installed — it's more filtered but still YouTube content.
Block app installs without approval
In Family Link: Controls → Google Play → Approve all purchases and downloads. Set to All content. Now every app install requires your approval.
Part 4: Block YouTube in Chrome and Browsers
The app being blocked doesn't stop them visiting youtube.com in Chrome.
Open Family Link → Controls → Filters on Google Chrome
Tap your child's name → Controls → Filters on Google Chrome → Manage sites.
Add YouTube to blocked sites
Under Blocked, tap the + and add:
youtube.comyoutu.be
Enable SafeSearch
In the same Chrome filters section, enable Try to block explicit sites and turn on SafeSearch.
Block other browsers
In App Activity, find Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser and toggle Allow app off if you want to prevent all browser access. Leave Chrome allowed but filtered, or block it entirely for younger children.
Part 5: Block YouTube via Restricted User Profile (alternative method)
If your child uses a shared family Android device (not their own), use a Restricted Profile instead.
Go to Settings → Users & Accounts → Users (on a tablet)
This option appears on Android tablets. On phones, use Family Link instead.
Add a Restricted Profile
Tap Add User or Profile → Restricted profile. This creates a profile where you control exactly which apps are available.
Toggle off YouTube and browsers
In the restricted profile app list, toggle off YouTube, YouTube Kids, Chrome, and any browser app you want to block.
Protect the owner profile with a PIN
Set a PIN or pattern on the device so they can't switch back to the owner profile and access unrestricted apps.
How Kids Bypass This
Factory reset: Unlike iOS Screen Time, a determined Android user with physical access to the device can factory reset it and set it up without Family Link. Prevent this by:
- Enabling Android Device Lock (Settings → Digital Wellbeing → Parental Controls → tap the lock icon to require your password for a factory reset).
- On Samsung devices: Samsung Kids or Secure Folder can add another layer.
Guest mode: Android devices have a Guest mode. Block it: Settings → Users → toggle off Allow guest.
APK sideloading: Older Android versions let users install apps via APK files downloaded from websites — bypassing the Play Store. Block this in Family Link: Controls → Google Play → also disable Unknown Sources in Settings → Security.
Second Google account: If they add another (unmonitored) Google account, Family Link doesn't apply to it. Check Settings → Accounts regularly.
Counter-Measures
Use Samsung Kids (Samsung devices only): If the device is a Samsung, Samsung Kids is a more locked-down child environment than Family Link. It replaces the home screen entirely and only shows apps you've approved.
DNS filtering as backup: Set your router's DNS to CleanBrowsing Family (185.228.168.168). This blocks youtube.com at the network level even if they bypass Family Link on Wi-Fi.
Check activity reports: Family Link sends weekly activity reports to your email. Review them to spot any unusual app usage or websites visited.
Enable Location sharing: While you're in Family Link, enable location sharing. Knowing you can see the device's location tends to reduce bypass attempts.
Related Guides
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Step-by-step guide to block YouTube on iPhone using Screen Time. Works on iOS 17 and iOS 18. Free, no apps needed.
By MethodBlock YouTube with DNS Filtering (All Devices, Home Network)
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