How to Block Youtube on An Android Phone

Android phones can be an amazing platform for entertainment, and YouTube is undoubtedly a leading platform that caters to all entertainment needs. However, sometimes users may need to block YouTube on their Android phones, either for parental control reasons or to increase productivity. Whatever the reason is, in this blog post, we will discuss the several methods to block YouTube on Android phones.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Block YouTube on an Android Phone

YouTube is undoubtedly a leading source for entertainment on the internet, but sometimes it becomes distracting and time-consuming, leading to a decrease in productivity (both at work and in personal life). Moreover, YouTube may not always be kid-friendly as there are always some videos and contents that are not age-appropriate. Therefore, it is essential to know how to block YouTube on Android phones to ensure that children don’t come across inappropriate content and to increase productivity.

Method 1: Block YouTube using the Router

Blocking YouTube through the router is an effective method as it can easily block YouTube completely from all devices connected to the same network.

To use this method, follow the steps below:

  1. Access your router’s settings by typing the router’s IP address in the web browser. (Refer to the user manual if you don’t know the default IP address).
  2. Log in to your router (again refer to the user manual).
  3. Look for the "Advanced" or "Parental Controls" option in the router settings.
  4. Once located, you can either block YouTube altogether or set a time limit for the app.

Pros:

  1. A complete block, rather than only certain videos or channels, can be achieved.
  2. Once blocked, YouTube cannot be accessed from any device that is connected to the Wi-Fi network.

Cons:

  1. If other people on your network use YouTube, they will be affected too.
  2. It may be challenging to find the correct settings in the router’s interface.

Method 2: Via YouTube’s Restricted Mode

YouTube’s restricted mode is a built-in feature that can be used to block inappropriate or explicit content on any device. This method is particularly useful for parents who want to limit their children’s access to certain content on YouTube.

To use this method, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the YouTube app on your Android phone.
  2. Tap on the three lines located on the top-left corner of your screen.
  3. Scroll down and click on the "Settings" option.
  4. Click on the "General" option.
  5. Click on the "Restricted Mode" option.
  6. Toggle on the switch to enable "Restricted Mode." (Sometimes a pop-up menu will ask you to enter your password or confirm your Google account).

Pros:

  1. It is built-in and does not require any third-party app or software.
  2. It only hides certain content, rather than completely blocking access to YouTube.

Cons:

  1. It is not entirely foolproof, and some inappropriate videos may still show up.
  2. It requires a Google Account log-in, which may not be suitable for everyone.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party App

If the first two methods do not work for you, you can try using a third-party app to block YouTube on your Android phone. One such app is Mobicip.

To use this method, follow the steps below:

  1. Download and install the Mobicip app from the Google Play Store.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions and then create an account.
  3. Set up a profile for yourself and your child (if applicable).
  4. Select YouTube from the list of apps to be blocked.
  5. Save changes, and YouTube should be blocked on your Android phone.

Pros:

  1. It is a more customizable solution and can also block other apps besides YouTube.
  2. It can work on multiple devices, including computers, tablets, and Android phones.

Cons:

  1. You need to set it up on each device separately.
  2. It may not be free, and some features may be locked behind a paywall.

What to Do If You Can’t Block YouTube on Your Android Phone

If none of the above methods work for you, there are still a couple of options you can try. Those options include:

  1. Uninstall the YouTube app from your Android phone, which will completely remove it.
  2. Use a VPN or a proxy server to bypass any restrictions that may have been put in place. But that is not advisable because it can have other consequences.

Bonus Tip

Google’s "Digital Wellbeing" feature can also be used to control your YouTube usage. This built-in feature will allow you to limit the amount of time you spend on the app and provide alerts once that duration is reached.

Digital wellbeing

5 FAQs

Q1: Can I block YouTube on one particular network and not another?

A: Yes, you can using the router settings.
You can create a custom profile (also known as VLAN) on your router settings, and then the only network that can access YouTube is the one with the custom profile.

Q2: Can I block certain channels or videos on YouTube?

A: Unless you have a third-party app, you can’t do this with the current built-in YouTube options.

Q3: What if I’ve forgotten my router’s login information?

A: Consult your router’s manual, look for the default login information listed in it(or on the back of the router).

Q4: What happens if I try to access YouTube while it’s blocked?

A: It depends on the method you’re using. If you’re using the router, the website may not load at all. If you’re using an app or software to block it, you may get a warning or an error message.

Q5: Will the people connected to my network figure out that I’ve blocked YouTube?

A: If you’ve used the router method, they may notice that YouTube isn’t loading, but there will be no indication on their end as to why it’s happening.

Final Thoughts

Blocking YouTube on an Android phone can be essential for several reasons, including enhancing productivity and keeping children safe from inappropriate content. The above methods can help you achieve the goal, and you can choose any method that works best for you. You can try the router method if you want to block YouTube for all devices connected to the same network. Or you can use the YouTube Restricted Mode if you only want to block specific content. Finally, using third-party apps like Mobicip or Google-defined Digital Wellbeing can help you achieve your goal if other methods fail.