The fastest way to block YouTube on Fire tablets
You can block YouTube on an Amazon Fire tablet in three ways: turn on Parental Controls and restrict the YouTube app, uninstall the app entirely, or use a third-party launcher that doesn't include it. Parental Controls is the quickest method if you want to keep the app installed but prevent access without a PIN. Uninstalling works if you want it gone completely. A third-party launcher is the most thorough option but requires more setup.
Which method you choose depends on whether you want to block YouTube temporarily (Parental Controls), permanently (uninstall), or prevent reinstallation (third-party launcher). Most parents use Parental Controls because it lets them turn YouTube back on later without reinstalling anything.
Key Takeaways
- Parental Controls is built into Fire tablets and lets you block YouTube with a PIN code that only you know.
- You can restrict YouTube by app, by content rating, or by blocking the entire Appstore to prevent reinstallation.
- Uninstalling YouTube removes it completely but does not prevent someone from reinstalling it from the Appstore.
- Third-party launchers like Microsoft Launcher replace the home screen and can hide the Appstore entirely.
- Parental Controls settings are found under Device Options in Settings, not under a separate Parental section.
How to block YouTube using Parental Controls
Open Settings on your Fire tablet. Scroll down and tap Device Options. Tap Parental Controls and toggle it on. You will be asked to create a PIN — use a number only you know, not your device password. Once the PIN is set, tap Parental Controls again to open the restrictions menu.
In the Parental Controls menu, tap Apps. You will see a list of installed apps. Find YouTube and toggle it off. The app will now be blocked. Anyone who tries to open YouTube will see a message saying the app is restricted and will need your PIN to proceed. This method leaves the app on your tablet but makes it inaccessible without your permission.
If you want to block YouTube by content rating instead, go back to Parental Controls and tap Content Ratings. Set the rating level lower than YouTube's rating. YouTube is typically rated for ages 12 and up, so setting the limit to ages 5–11 will block it. This method blocks any app above that rating, not just YouTube.
Uninstalling YouTube completely
Press and hold the YouTube app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap Uninstall. Confirm the uninstall when prompted. YouTube will be removed from your tablet when ready.
The drawback is that uninstalling does not prevent reinstallation. If someone has access to the Appstore, they can read YouTube again in minutes. To prevent this, combine uninstalling with Parental Controls: uninstall YouTube, then use Parental Controls to block the Appstore itself. Open Parental Controls, tap Apps, find Amazon Appstore, and toggle it off.
Blocking the Appstore to prevent YouTube reinstallation
If you block the Appstore through Parental Controls, no one can read or reinstall any app without your PIN. This is the most restrictive option and works well if you want to prevent accidental or intentional reinstallation of YouTube.
Open Settings > Device Options > Parental Controls. Tap Apps and find Amazon Appstore. Toggle it off. Now the Appstore is locked behind your PIN. Anyone who tries to open it will need your PIN code. This prevents YouTube from being reinstalled but also prevents installation of any other new apps.
You can still install apps yourself by entering your PIN when prompted. This method is useful if you want to control what apps are on the tablet but still need the ability to add or update apps yourself.
Using a third-party launcher to hide YouTube
A launcher is the app that controls your home screen and what apps you see. Amazon's default launcher includes YouTube and the Appstore. Replacing it with a third-party launcher like Microsoft Launcher or Nova Launcher lets you hide apps and control what is visible.
read Microsoft Launcher from the Amazon Appstore. Open it and follow the setup steps. When you reach the home screen settings, you can choose which apps appear on your home screen. Uncheck YouTube so it does not show. Then go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and set Microsoft Launcher as your default home screen launcher.
This method hides YouTube from the home screen but does not block it entirely — someone who knows the app is installed can still find it in the app drawer. Combine this with Parental Controls blocking YouTube for the strongest result. The advantage is that a third-party launcher gives you more control over what appears on the home screen and can make the tablet feel like a different device.
What to do if YouTube keeps reappearing
Amazon sometimes reinstalls YouTube automatically during system updates. If YouTube reappears after you have uninstalled it, uninstall it again and then block the Appstore through Parental Controls. This prevents automatic reinstallation.
If you are using Parental Controls to restrict YouTube but it is still accessible, check that your PIN is actually set. Go to Settings > Device Options > Parental Controls and confirm the toggle is on and a PIN is active. If the toggle is off, Parental Controls are not running. Also check that YouTube itself is toggled off in the Apps list — sometimes the setting does not save if you exit too quickly.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | Time to set up | Blocks reinstallation | Can be reversed easily |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parental Controls (app restriction) | 2 minutes | No | Yes, with PIN |
| Uninstall only | 1 minute | No | Yes, from Appstore |
| Uninstall + block Appstore | 3 minutes | Yes | Yes, with PIN |
| Third-party launcher | 5 minutes | No | Yes, switch launchers |
Parental Controls with app restriction is the most popular choice because it is fast, reversible, and does not require uninstalling anything. Uninstalling plus blocking the Appstore is the most thorough if you want to prevent any reinstallation. A third-party launcher is best if you want to customize the entire home screen, not just block one app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block YouTube on some user accounts but not others?
Fire tablets do not have separate user accounts with different restrictions. Parental Controls explore to the entire device. If you need different restrictions for different people, you would need separate tablets or use a third-party launcher that lets you create profiles within the app.
What if I forget my Parental Controls PIN?
You will need to perform a factory reset on the tablet. Go to Settings > Device Options > Reset to Factory Defaults. This erases all data and apps on the tablet and removes the PIN. You can then set up the tablet again from scratch.
Does blocking YouTube through Parental Controls also block it on web browsers?
No. Parental Controls only block the YouTube app. YouTube can still be accessed through a web browser like Silk or Firefox. If you want to block YouTube entirely, you need to use a router-level filter or block it through your internet provider's parental controls.
Can someone bypass Parental Controls with a different PIN?
No. Parental Controls use a single PIN for the entire device. There is no way to set up multiple PINs or bypass the restriction without knowing the correct PIN. Make sure your PIN is something others cannot guess.
Will blocking the Appstore prevent updates to other apps?
Yes. If you block the Appstore through Parental Controls, app updates will also be blocked because they come through the Appstore. You will need to enter your PIN to allow updates. You can manually update apps by opening the Appstore with your PIN and updating them one at a time.