What does Google Family Link actually block?

Use Google Family Link to block YouTube on your child's Android phone, tablet, or Chromebook. It covers both the YouTube app and browser access unless otherwise noted in the guide.

Is it free to block YouTube on Google Family Link?

Yes — blocking YouTube on Google Family Link 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, Google Family Link 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.

Does this work on devices that don't support installing apps?

It depends on the method. Network-level approaches (router DNS, Pi-hole, Firewalla) work on any device on your Wi-Fi — including smart TVs and game consoles. App-based methods only work on devices that can install the app.

Block YouTube with Google Family Link (Android & Chromebook, 2026)

Use Google Family Link to block YouTube on your child's Android phone, tablet, or Chromebook. Free, managed from your phone. Step-by-step guide. Updated for 2026.

Last updated 11 April 2026·

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Free

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What Is Google Family Link?

Google Family Link is Google's free parental supervision tool. It lets you manage a child's Google account from your phone — approving app downloads, blocking specific apps, setting screen time limits, and restricting content.

What it covers:

Android phones and tablets (your child's device)
Chromebooks (supervised by their Google account)
Google TV devices (Chromecast with Google TV, Sony Google TV — see below)

What it doesn't cover:

Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) — use Screen Time instead
Non-Android devices your child might use with a different account

Part 1: Set Up Google Family Link

Download Family Link on your phone

Download the Google Family Link app on your phone (iOS or Android, free). Sign in with your own Google account.

Create a supervised account for your child

In the Family Link app: tap + → Create a Google Account for a child. You'll need your child's name and birthday. For children under 13, Google requires parental approval and the account is automatically supervised. For 13–17 year olds, they can choose to be supervised by a parent.

On their Android phone or tablet, sign out of any existing Google account → sign in with the supervised account you just created. Family Link supervision activates immediately.

Part 2: Block the YouTube App

Open Family Link → select your child's profile

In the Family Link app, tap your child's name.

Go to Controls → App approvals

Tap Controls → App approvals (or Manage apps depending on your app version).

Find YouTube and block it

Scroll through the installed apps list to find YouTube. Tap it → set to Blocked (or tap the toggle to block). The app will be immediately inaccessible on your child's device.

If YouTube isn't installed, it won't appear in the app list. Proceed to Step 4 to prevent it from being installed.

Require approval for all app downloads

Controls → Google Play purchase approvals → set to All content (requires your approval for every free and paid download). Your child will need to request approval via Family Link for any new app — you'll receive a notification on your phone and can approve or deny it.

Part 3: Block YouTube in the Chrome Browser

Even with the app blocked, your child could access youtube.com through Chrome.

Go to Controls → Content restrictions → Google Chrome

In Family Link: Controls → Content restrictions → Google Chrome (or Manage settings → Google Chrome).

Set filter level to 'Try to block mature sites'

Select Try to block mature sites. This enables SafeSearch and blocks known adult content — though YouTube itself isn't blocked at this level.

Add YouTube to the blocked sites list

Scroll to Blocked sites → tap Add → add each domain:

youtube.com
youtu.be
music.youtube.com

Save. Chrome on their device will now show a blocked page when navigating to YouTube.

Or switch to 'Only allow approved sites'

For younger children or maximum control: select Only allow approved sites. Then manually add the specific sites they're allowed to visit. YouTube will be unreachable in Chrome by default.

Part 4: Block YouTube on Chromebook

Family Link supervision extends to Chromebooks signed in with the child's supervised account.

The Chrome browser controls from Part 3 apply to Chromebooks too

The blocked sites list and filter level you set in Family Link → Chrome also applies on Chromebooks. YouTube will be blocked in Chrome on their Chromebook.

Block Android apps on Chromebook (if enabled)

Many Chromebooks can run Android apps. If the YouTube Android app is installed on the Chromebook, Family Link's app blocking (Part 2) also applies to Android apps running on Chromebook.

Part 5: Screen Time and Bedtime

Set daily screen time limits

Family Link → your child's profile → Daily limit → set total screen time per day (or separate limits for school/non-school days). When the limit is reached, the device locks and shows a "time's up" screen.

Set a bedtime

Bedtime → toggle on → set the time range when the device is locked at night. During bedtime, the device won't accept usage (calls and texts can still be configured to go through).

Lock the device remotely (anytime)

In Family Link, tap your child's profile → Lock device to immediately lock their phone from anywhere. Useful for homework time or dinner.

Part 6: Extend to Google TV Devices

If your child uses a Chromecast with Google TV or Sony Google TV, Family Link supervision extends there too:

On the Google TV device: Settings → Accounts & Sign-in → Add Account → sign in with their supervised account.

YouTube is blocked via the App approvals setting

The App approvals blocking from Part 2 applies to Google TV as well — YouTube will be blocked or require PIN approval on the TV.

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How Kids Bypass This

Supervised accounts can be unsupervised (13+): Children aged 13 and over can choose to end supervision — Family Link will notify you and give you the option to block it, but ultimately a teenager can disconnect supervision with a 24-hour waiting period. For under-13 accounts, parental consent is required to remove supervision.

Factory reset bypasses Family Link (temporarily): A factory reset wipes the supervised account from the device. However, when signing back in with the supervised account, Family Link restrictions re-apply automatically. The window immediately after a reset (before signing back in) is unprotected. Enable a screen lock PIN on the device.

Second Google account on the device: If your child can add a second, non-supervised Google account to their phone, apps and Chrome browsing under that account won't have Family Link restrictions. Family Link → Controls → check if there's an option to prevent adding additional accounts, or review device account settings.

YouTube Kids substitution: When YouTube is blocked, Google may substitute YouTube Kids by default for some supervised accounts. YouTube Kids still contains substantial video content. If you want to block all video access, also block YouTube Kids in the app approvals: Family Link → Controls → App approvals → YouTube Kids → Blocked.

VPN apps: A VPN can bypass the Chrome site blocking. Prevent VPN app downloads by requiring approval for all app installs (Part 2, Step 4).

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Counter-Measures

Family Link is Google's own supervision system — it integrates deeply: Blocking YouTube via Family Link is more robust on Android than third-party apps because it operates at the Google account level, not just the device level.

App approval is the strongest control: Requiring your approval for every app download means your child can't install a new YouTube client (YouTube TV, YouTube Music, browser apps) without your knowledge.

Pair with router DNS filtering: Family Link covers YouTube by app and browser, but DNS filtering at your router adds a network-level backstop. See the DNS filtering guide.

Check the activity report weekly: Family Link → your child's profile → Activity shows which apps they've used and for how long. Review it weekly to catch any workarounds early.

Related Guides

By Device

How to Block YouTube on Android (Google Family Link, 2026)

Block YouTube on Android phones and tablets using Google Family Link. Free, works on all Android devices with a child Google account. Updated for 2026.

By Device

How to Block YouTube on Chromebook (Family Link & Managed Accounts, 2026)

Block YouTube on a Chromebook using Google Family Link, supervised Chrome profiles, and managed Chrome OS accounts. Free. Also covers school-issued Chromebooks. Updated for 2026.

By Method

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.

By Method

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.

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