Does this block the YouTube app AND the website on iPad?

Yes — the method in this guide blocks both the YouTube app and youtube.com in the browser. If only the app is removed, kids can still watch YouTube in a browser, so it's important to cover both.

Is it free to block YouTube on iPad?

Yes — blocking YouTube on iPad is completely free. No extra apps or subscriptions required.

Can my child bypass this YouTube block?

Bypass risk is low. Once set up with a strong password your child doesn't know, iPad is difficult to work around. The most common bypass attempt is switching to mobile data instead of Wi-Fi — pair it with device-level controls if that's a concern.

Do I need to set this up separately on each Apple device?

Yes, unless you use Family Sharing. Screen Time settings don't sync automatically between devices. With Family Sharing enabled, you can manage restrictions on all your child's Apple devices from your own iPhone — you don't need to touch each device individually.

How to Block YouTube on iPad (iPadOS 18, 2026)

Block YouTube on iPad using Screen Time, including Split View workarounds, Shared iPad setup, and blocking Safari access. Free, built-in to every iPad. Updated for 2026.

Last updated 11 April 2026·

Difficulty🔨🔨🔨

Free

Bypass risk🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

What You'll Need

The iPad your child uses
Your own iPhone or iPad (for remote Family Sharing management)
About 10–15 minutes

Blocking YouTube on iPad uses the same Screen Time system as iPhone. However, iPads have a few extra YouTube access points that iPhones don't — particularly Split View, Slide Over, and the iPadOS web clip feature. This guide covers all of them.

Part 1: Set Up Screen Time with a Passcode

If you've already done this on a shared Apple Family account, your iPad Screen Time passcode is already set. Verify it's active before continuing.

Open Settings on the iPad

Tap Settings → Screen Time.

Turn on Screen Time

If Screen Time is off, tap Turn On Screen Time → This is My Child's iPad.

Set a Screen Time Passcode

Tap Use Screen Time Passcode and set a 4-digit code your child does not know. This is separate from the device PIN — make them different.

Link to Family Sharing (if not already done)

For remote management, ensure the iPad is part of your Apple Family. Settings → [child's name at top] → Family Sharing. If they don't appear, invite them from your own Apple ID on your device.

Part 2: Delete the YouTube App and Block Reinstallation

Block app installation first

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases → set Installing Apps to Don't Allow.

Delete YouTube

Long-press the YouTube app → Remove App → Delete App. With installation blocked, it cannot be reinstalled without your Screen Time passcode.

Also delete YouTube Kids if present

Repeat for YouTube Kids — it's filtered, but it's still YouTube content and can be a stepping stone back to the main app.

Part 3: Block YouTube in Safari

Go to Content Restrictions → Web Content

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Content Restrictions → Web Content → Limit Adult Websites.

Add YouTube to the Never Allow list

Scroll to Never Allow → Add Website and add:

youtube.com
youtu.be
m.youtube.com
music.youtube.com

Block YouTube Music too

YouTube Music (music.youtube.com) shows music videos and can be used to watch content. Add it to the Never Allow list.

Part 4: iPad-Specific — Close Split View and Slide Over YouTube Access

iPadOS supports Split View (two apps side by side) and Slide Over (floating panel). If Safari is blocked but another app has a built-in browser, YouTube content could appear in a split-screen panel.

Block all third-party browsers

Ensure no alternative browsers are installed — Chrome, Firefox, DuckDuckGo, etc. With app installation blocked (Part 2), no new browsers can be added.

Restrict Multitasking (optional, for younger children)

Settings → Home Screen & Multitasking → toggle off Allow Multiple Apps to disable Split View and Slide Over entirely. This is quite restrictive but appropriate for children under 8.

Check for web-clip shortcuts on the home screen

iPadOS lets users add website shortcuts to the home screen via Safari's Share menu. Check the home screen for any icon that looks like a YouTube shortcut (red play button) but isn't the official app. Delete any you find.

Part 5: Shared iPad Setup (School/Shared Family Device)

If multiple children — or you and your children — share one iPad, use Shared iPad mode or Managed Apple IDs.

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Shared iPad mode requires Apple School Manager

Formal Shared iPad mode is an enterprise/education feature requiring Apple School Manager. For a home setup with multiple children, the simpler approach is separate Apple IDs under Family Sharing, each with their own Screen Time settings.

Set up separate user accounts per child

On a shared home iPad, each child should sign in with their own Apple ID (child accounts managed via Family Sharing). Screen Time settings are per-account — your child's account has YouTube blocked; your account doesn't.

Password-protect switching accounts

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Account Changes → set to Don't Allow. This prevents them from signing out and creating a new Apple ID.

Restrict the iCloud account to one Apple ID per sign-in

Go to Settings → [child's name] → iCloud. Ensure the signed-in account is the family child account, not a personal account they've created.

Part 6: Block YouTube in Spotlight Search

iPadOS Spotlight Search can sometimes surface YouTube content from the Siri Suggestions or web search results.

Restrict Siri web search

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Allowed Apps → toggle off Siri & Dictation if you want to prevent any web-connected Siri queries. Alternatively, leave Siri on but restrict web results.

Disable Spotlight website suggestions

Settings → Siri & Search → toggle off Show in App Library, Show in Spotlight, and Suggestions in App Library for any browser apps.

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How Kids Bypass This

iMessage links: Friends can send YouTube links via iMessage, which open directly in an in-app browser — sometimes bypassing the web filter. To reduce this risk, go to Settings → Screen Time → Communication Limits and restrict who they can message.

AirDrop from another device: Content can't be "received" as a YouTube session this way, but a YouTube link dropped via AirDrop opens in Safari — where it will hit the Never Allow block. This is handled by your Safari filter, but monitor AirDrop: Settings → General → AirDrop → set to Contacts Only or Receiving Off.

Physical Screen Time passcode reset: Apple allows the Screen Time passcode to be reset via the Apple ID used to set it. Ensure your Apple ID has a strong password and two-factor authentication. Don't let them see you enter your Apple ID password.

Embedded YouTube in other apps: Apps like Reddit, Tumblr, and some games embed YouTube videos in-app. These bypass the Safari filter because they use in-app web views, not Safari. Screen Time's web filter doesn't cover in-app browsers from third-party apps in all cases. Add DNS filtering as a second layer.

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Counter-Measures

DNS filtering covers embedded YouTube: Set your router's DNS to CleanBrowsing Family (185.228.168.168). This blocks youtube.com at the network level, catching in-app embeds that Screen Time misses on Wi-Fi.

Screen Time weekly reports: Go to Settings → Screen Time to see a weekly report of exactly which apps and websites were used. Review it on Sunday mornings. Any spike in Safari usage on a blocked domain will show as blocked attempts.

Check the Screen Time passcode is unique: The Screen Time passcode and the device PIN should be different numbers. Kids often try sequences like birth years — use something completely unguessable.

Apple Family Checkin: Enable Location Sharing in Family Sharing. It's not directly YouTube-related, but knowing you can see the device location tends to reduce all rule-bending.

Related Guides

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How to Block YouTube on iPhone (iOS 18, 2026)

Step-by-step guide to block YouTube on iPhone using Screen Time. Works on iOS 18. Free, no apps needed. Updated for 2026.

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Apple Screen Time — Complete YouTube Blocking Guide (All Apple Devices, 2026)

Deep dive into using Apple Screen Time to block YouTube across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Family Sharing setup, Downtime, Communication Limits, passcode security. Updated for 2026.

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How to Block YouTube on Mac (macOS Sequoia, 2026)

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By Device

How to Block YouTube on Apple TV (tvOS, 2026)

Block YouTube on Apple TV using Screen Time on tvOS. Pairs with iOS Family Sharing for remote management. Free, no extra apps needed. Updated for 2026.

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