- How to block YouTube on iPad, step by step
- Block the YouTube website too
- Stop YouTube being downloaded again
- Your options at a glance
- Limit YouTube instead of blocking it
- Blocking YouTube on your own iPad
- Age ratings and restrictions
- What about a supervised YouTube account?
- My advice
- Frequently asked questions
To block YouTube on a child's iPad, open Settings, tap Family, tap your child's name, tap Apps and Websites, select YouTube and tap Block App, then tap again to confirm. Block the youtube.com website the same way, or the app is easy to swap for the browser. Apple says a blocked app isn't deleted, it's just dimmed.
Blocking only the app is the mistake most parents make. YouTube works perfectly well in Safari, so a full block needs the app, the website and the App Store. Here's how, from Apple Support, read in October 2026.
How to block YouTube on iPad, step by step
These steps are for a child's iPad in your Family Sharing group, set from your own iPhone or iPad. Apple says you can do this if you're the Family Sharing organiser or a parent or guardian in the group.
- Open the Settings app and tap Family.
- Tap your child's name.
- Tap Apps and Websites. Enter your Screen Time passcode if asked.
- Select YouTube from the list of apps.
- Tap Block App, then tap again to confirm.
Apple says you can unblock an app or website at any time, and everything you've blocked or allowed sits in Allowed and Blocked lists in Apps and Websites, so it's easy to review.
Block the YouTube website too
- In the same Apps and Websites screen, select the YouTube website.
- Tap Block Website, then tap again to confirm.
For tighter control, Apple's web filtering has two settings under Restrictions, then Filtering: Limit Adult Websites, or Approved Websites Only. Approved Websites Only turns on Ask to Browse, so your child has to ask before visiting any new site.
Stop YouTube being downloaded again
A blocked app can't just be reinstalled if you control the App Store too. In Apps and Websites, tap App Store, choose Installing Apps and pick Blocked, or turn on Ask to Buy so every download needs your approval. Apple notes that in some countries Ask to Buy is on by default and can't be turned off for children under 18.
Your options at a glance
| Goal | Setting | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| No YouTube app at all | Apps and Websites, Block App | The app stays on the iPad but is dimmed and won't open |
| No YouTube in the browser | Block Website, or Approved Websites Only | Safari and supported browsers won't load it |
| No reinstalling | App Store, Installing Apps, or Ask to Buy | New downloads need your say-so |
| Some YouTube, not too much | Time Allowances or Screen Time Schedules | Limits when and how long apps can be used |
Limit YouTube instead of blocking it
A full block isn't always the answer, especially for school videos. Apple offers two softer tools. Time Allowances set a daily time budget for app categories such as entertainment, games and social media, which you can fine-tune per category. Screen Time Schedules choose which apps can be used at different times, like before school, during school and after school, with separate routines for weekdays and weekends.
- Open Settings, tap Family, then your child's name.
- Tap Time Allowances, then the Add button.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to set the limit.
Apple also lets your child send an exception request when they hit a limit, from iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, so you can approve extra time without changing the rules.
Blocking YouTube on your own iPad
If it's your own iPad and you simply want fewer distractions, Screen Time works there too. Go to Settings, then Screen Time, then Content and Privacy Restrictions, where Apple lets you allow or block content and built-in features. Set a Screen Time passcode you won't remember too easily, or the block won't last a week.
Age ratings and restrictions
Content and Privacy Restrictions let you choose age-appropriate ratings for categories of apps, music, books, films and TV shows, with options like Don't Allow, Allow All or a specific age rating. Apple says you can also block apps with specific ratings. That's a broader net than blocking YouTube by name.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
What about a supervised YouTube account?
If you'd rather your child used YouTube safely than not at all, YouTube's own supervised experience is worth a look alongside Screen Time. My guide to a YouTube supervised account explains the options, and YouTube Restricted Mode is another filter, though it's easy to switch off if you don't lock it down.
My advice
Block the app, the website and new downloads together, or not at all. Doing one leaves an obvious gap. And if YouTube is used for homework, try a Time Allowance first: it keeps the useful bits and takes the endless scrolling away.
Frequently asked questions
How do I block YouTube on my child's iPad?
Open Settings, tap Family, tap your child's name, tap Apps and Websites, select YouTube and tap Block App, then confirm.
Does blocking YouTube delete the app?
No. Apple says a blocked app isn't deleted, it's dimmed on the Home Screen.
How do I block YouTube in Safari on iPad?
In Apps and Websites, select the YouTube website and tap Block Website, or use Approved Websites Only under Filtering.
Can I limit YouTube time instead of blocking it?
Yes. Use Time Allowances or Screen Time Schedules to limit when and how long apps can be used.
Can my child reinstall YouTube after I block it?
Not if you also block Installing Apps in the App Store settings or turn on Ask to Buy.
Can I unblock YouTube later?
Yes. Apple says you can unblock an app or website at any time from Apps and Websites.
