How to Block YouTube on iPhone (iOS 17 & iOS 18)

Step-by-step guide to block YouTube on iPhone using Screen Time. Works on iOS 17 and iOS 18. Free, no apps needed.

Last updated 11 April 2026·

Difficulty🔨🔨🔨

Free

Bypass risk🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

What You'll Need

The iPhone your child uses
Your own iPhone or iPad (to manage Screen Time remotely via Family Sharing)
About 10 minutes

Apple's Screen Time is built into every iPhone and iPad running iOS 12 or later. It's free, doesn't require a third-party app, and — when set up correctly — is very difficult for kids to bypass.

Part 1: Set Up Family Sharing

Before you can manage Screen Time remotely, your child needs to be part of your Apple Family.

Open Settings on your iPhone

Tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing → Set Up Your Family.

Add your child

Tap Add Member → Create a Child Account and follow the prompts. You'll need their date of birth and a payment method to verify your Apple ID.

Confirm on their device

On their iPhone, they'll receive an invitation. Accept it — this links their Apple ID to your family group.

Part 2: Enable Screen Time with a Passcode

iOS 17 & iOS 18

Open Settings on your child's iPhone

Go to Settings → Screen Time.

Turn on Screen Time

Tap Turn On Screen Time → This is My Child's iPhone.

Set a Screen Time Passcode

Tap Use Screen Time Passcode and enter a 4-digit code your child does not know. You'll be asked to enter it twice. Store it somewhere safe — losing this passcode is a major hassle.

Enable 'Screen Time' syncing

If managing from your own iPhone, go to your Settings → Screen Time → your child's name. You can now manage their settings remotely.

Part 3: Delete the YouTube App

Open Screen Time for your child's device

On your iPhone: Settings → Screen Time → [child's name]. Or directly on their iPhone: Settings → Screen Time.

Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions → turn it ON → iTunes & App Store Purchases.

Block app deletion and installation

Set Installing Apps to Don't Allow and Deleting Apps to Don't Allow. This stops them from reinstalling YouTube — and from deleting Screen Time-managed apps.

Delete YouTube directly

On their iPhone, press and hold the YouTube app → Remove App → Delete App. With installation blocked, they can't get it back without your Screen Time passcode.

Part 4: Block YouTube in Safari

Even without the app, YouTube is fully accessible at youtube.com in Safari. Block it.

Open Content & Privacy Restrictions

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Go to Content Restrictions → Web Content

Tap Content Restrictions → Web Content → select Limit Adult Websites.

Add YouTube to the Never Allow list

Scroll down and tap Add Website under Never Allow. Add:

youtube.com
youtu.be
m.youtube.com

Also block YouTube in Allowed Websites mode (optional, strongest)

For the strictest control — especially for young children — change Web Content to Allowed Websites Only. Then manually add the sites they're permitted to visit. YouTube won't load at all.

Part 5: Block Other Browsers

Safari isn't the only way to access YouTube on iPhone. Kids can install Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers.

Restrict browser app installs

You already blocked Installing Apps in Part 3 — this prevents them from installing Chrome or any other browser.

Remove any existing non-Safari browsers

Check their phone for Chrome, Firefox, DuckDuckGo, or Brave. Delete them now.

Block Safari if you want to go further

Settings → Screen Time → Allowed Apps → toggle off Safari. Note: this removes Safari entirely. Combine with "Allowed Websites Only" mode instead for a less restrictive approach.

Part 6: Use Guided Access (for younger children)

Guided Access locks the iPhone to a single app. Useful when you hand the phone to a young child for a specific purpose.

Enable Guided Access

Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access → turn it ON. Set a passcode (can be the same as Screen Time or different).

Start Guided Access in any app

Open the app you want to allow (e.g. a kids' game), then triple-click the side button. Tap Start. The iPhone is now locked to that app until you triple-click and enter the passcode.

🐹

How Kids Bypass This

VPN apps: A child with VPN access can sometimes route around Screen Time web filters. To block this:

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → VPN & Device Management → set Allow VPN configurations to OFF.

Other Apple IDs: If they create a second Apple ID on the same phone, Screen Time doesn't apply to it. Prevent this by going to Content & Privacy → Account Changes → Don't Allow.

YouTube in other apps: Some apps embed YouTube videos. These can't easily be blocked by Screen Time alone — add DNS filtering as a second layer.

Resetting Screen Time passcode: Apple allows Screen Time passcode recovery via the Apple ID used to set it up. Make sure your child doesn't know your Apple ID password. Go to Settings → [Your Name] and check the password is secure.

🔨

Counter-Measures

Layer with DNS blocking: Set your home router's DNS to CleanBrowsing Family (185.228.168.168) or NextDNS. This blocks YouTube even if Screen Time is somehow bypassed on Wi-Fi.

Enable Communication Limits: Screen Time → Communication Limits. This controls who they can contact and when — useful if you're worried about friends sending YouTube links.

Check Screen Time reports: Settings → Screen Time shows exactly which apps and websites were used and for how long. Review it weekly.

Lock your Apple ID: Your Apple ID is the master key. Use a strong password, enable two-factor authentication, and do not store it anywhere your child can find it.

Related Guides

By Device

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.

By Method

Block YouTube with DNS Filtering (All Devices, Home Network)

Use DNS filtering to block YouTube on every device connected to your home Wi-Fi — including smart TVs, game consoles, and anything else. Free options available.

You Might Also Need

Device-level blocking works best when paired with a network-level block.

Block YouTube with DNS Filtering (All Devices, Home Network)

Use DNS filtering to block YouTube on every device connected to your home Wi-Fi — including smart TVs, game consoles, and anything else. Free options available.

Block YouTube on Any Router — Generic Guide

How to block YouTube on any home router. Find your router admin panel, navigate parental controls, and block YouTube domains. Works as a fallback for any router brand.

Want a personalised plan?

Answer 5 questions and get a guide for every device your child uses.

Take the Quiz →