How to Block YouTube on Xbox (Series X/S & Xbox One, 2026)
Block YouTube on Xbox using Microsoft Family Safety. Restrict the YouTube app, Edge browser, and set screen time limits. Free. Works on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. Updated for 2026.
What You'll Need
- The Xbox your child uses (Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One)
- A Microsoft account for your child — managed by Microsoft Family Safety
- The Microsoft Family Safety app on your phone (free, iOS or Android)
- About 20 minutes
Microsoft Family Safety works across Xbox, Windows, and Android. Setting it up on Xbox also applies the same controls to any Windows PC your child uses — making it one of the most integrated parental control systems available.
Part 1: Set Up Microsoft Family Safety
Step 1: Create a Child Microsoft Account
If your child already has a Microsoft account managed by Family Safety, skip to Part 2.
Go to account.microsoft.com/family
Sign in with your Microsoft account. Click Add a family member → Add a child → follow the prompts.
Enter your child's email address (create one if they don't have one) and their date of birth. Microsoft sends a verification email to confirm you're the parent.
Install Microsoft Family Safety on your phone
Download the Microsoft Family Safety app from the App Store or Play Store. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
Accept the family invitation on their account
Your child will receive an email inviting them to join the family group. They need to click the link and accept — or you can do this from your Family Safety app.
Step 2: Sign In to Xbox with the Child Account
Add their Microsoft account to the Xbox
On the Xbox: press the Xbox button (centre of controller) → Profile & system → Add or switch → Add new → sign in with the child's Microsoft account credentials.
Set their account as the sign-in profile
This ensures they use their (restricted) account rather than yours when using the Xbox. If you share the Xbox, use different profiles — never let them use your admin profile.
Part 2: Block the YouTube App on Xbox
Open the Microsoft Family Safety app on your phone
Select your child's name.
Go to Content Filters → Apps and Games
Tap Content Filters → Apps and games. You'll see a list of apps organised by age rating.
Block YouTube
In the app list, find YouTube and toggle it to Blocked. If you don't see it listed yet (the app may not have been opened), set the age rating restriction to under-16 — this blocks apps not rated for that age, including YouTube.
Require approval for all app installs
Back in Content Filters, toggle on Needs organiser approval to buy and download for all purchases and free app downloads. Now every Xbox game or app download sends you a notification to approve.
Blocking YouTube Directly on the Xbox Console
On Xbox — go to Settings → Account → Family Settings
Press the Xbox button → Profile & System → Settings → Account → Family settings → Manage family members → select your child's account.
Go to App and Game Content
Under their profile settings, go to App and game content → set the content rating restriction to an age level that blocks YouTube. Most ratings systems list YouTube under its content category — restricting to "Ages 12 and under" typically blocks it.
Check and uninstall the YouTube app
Press the Xbox button → My games & apps → scroll through installed apps. If YouTube is installed, highlight it → press the Menu button → Uninstall. With content restrictions set, they can't reinstall it.
Part 3: Restrict the Xbox Edge Browser
Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One both include the Microsoft Edge browser, which can access youtube.com directly.
Open Family Safety app → Content Filters → Web Browsing
Toggle on Filter inappropriate websites and searches.
Add YouTube to the blocked list
Under Blocked sites → Add a website:
youtube.comyoutu.bemusic.youtube.com
Optionally enable approved-sites-only mode
Toggle Only use allowed websites if you want the strictest possible restriction. Your child can only visit sites you've approved.
Block Edge entirely on Xbox (optional)
In Family Safety → Apps and games, find Microsoft Edge and set it to Blocked. This removes browser access entirely — the most thorough option for younger children.
Part 4: Set Screen Time Limits
Open Family Safety → select your child → Screen Time
Tap Screen Time → Turn on screen time limits.
Set Xbox time limits
Tap Xbox (it may appear as a device in the list). Set:
- Daily time limits (e.g. 2 hours per day)
- Scheduled times (e.g. Xbox available 3pm–8pm on weekdays)
- Bedtime restrictions (e.g. Xbox locks at 9pm)
Enable notifications for overtime requests
Your child can send a request for extra time from the Xbox when their limit is reached. You'll get a notification to approve or deny.
Part 5: Xbox Passkey / PIN
Set a passkey on the Xbox to prevent your child from signing out and signing in with a different (unrestricted) Microsoft account.
Set a passkey on your Microsoft account profile
On the Xbox: Settings → Account → Sign-in, security & passkey → Change my sign-in & security preferences → set a passkey (PIN). This PIN is required to access your profile.
Require passkey for sign-in
Under Account Security, enable Require passkey when signing in. Now switching to your account requires your PIN.
Part 6: Router DNS as a Safety Net
Add router-level DNS filtering to block YouTube on the Xbox even if Family Safety is bypassed.
Change your router's DNS to CleanBrowsing Family:
- Primary:
185.228.168.168 - Secondary:
185.228.169.168
See the DNS filtering guide for full router instructions. This blocks youtube.com at the network level — YouTube videos won't load on the Xbox even if the Edge browser restriction is bypassed.
How Kids Bypass This
Using a friend's Xbox account: If your child has a friend's Xbox profile (gamertag) saved on the console, and that account doesn't have Family Safety applied, they can switch to it and access YouTube. Prevent this by requiring a passkey to access profiles other than theirs: Settings → Account → Sign-in, security & passkey → Everyone must sign in.
Guest account loophole: Xbox doesn't have a traditional Guest mode, but a local offline account can be created without Microsoft account restrictions on older Xbox One firmware. Update to the latest firmware to reduce this risk.
Offline games mode: Switching the Xbox to "offline" doesn't bypass Family Safety web filters — Edge still checks the filter. But some content features may behave differently offline. Keep the Xbox connected to the internet so Family Safety stays active.
Downloading YouTube via a secondary account: If they create a secondary Microsoft account and set it up without linking it to Family Safety, they can install YouTube on that account. Prevent new account creation: on the Xbox, Settings → Account → Family settings → lock account sign-in changes.
The Family Safety "Request" feature: Your child can send a request to bypass a restriction (e.g. "please let me access YouTube for 30 minutes"). Be cautious about approving these requests — once you approve, the restriction is lifted for that session.
Counter-Measures
Microsoft Family Safety is the same across Xbox and Windows. If your child also uses a Windows PC, the same app/web blocking rules apply there too. Set up Family Safety once and it covers both devices.
Check the Microsoft Family Safety activity report. Every week, Family Safety emails a summary of which games were played, which sites were browsed, and how much screen time was used. Check it — it tells you whether your blocks are being tested.
Keep Xbox firmware updated. Microsoft patches security vulnerabilities and parental control bypasses in firmware updates. Enable automatic updates: Settings → System → Updates → Keep my console up to date.
Put the Xbox in a shared room. A console in the bedroom is much harder to moderate than one in the lounge. Physical placement is an underrated parental control.
Combine with DNS filtering. Family Safety's web filter is good, but router-level DNS blocking (CleanBrowsing or NextDNS) adds a redundant layer that catches anything Family Safety misses — including embedded YouTube in other apps or websites.
Related Guides
Block YouTube with Microsoft Family Safety (Windows & Xbox, 2026)
Use Microsoft Family Safety to block YouTube on Windows 10/11, Xbox, and Android. Free with a Microsoft account. Step-by-step setup guide. Updated for 2026.
By DeviceHow to Block YouTube on PlayStation (PS5 & PS4, 2026)
Block YouTube on PS5 and PS4 using PlayStation Family Management. Restrict the YouTube app, web browser, and set screen time limits. Free. Updated for 2026.
By DeviceHow to Block YouTube on Windows PC (All Methods, 2026)
Block YouTube on Windows using Microsoft Family Safety, the hosts file, browser extensions, and Windows parental controls. Includes beginner and advanced methods. Updated for 2026.
By DeviceHow to Block YouTube on Nintendo Switch (2026)
Block YouTube on Nintendo Switch using the free Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. Set time limits, restrict content, and block internet access. Updated for 2026.
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Device-level blocking works best when paired with a network-level block.
Block YouTube with DNS Filtering (All Devices, Home Network, 2026)
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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. Updated for 2026.
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