YouTube requires your birthdate to show your account age and control what content you can see

You can change the birthdate on your YouTube account through your Google Account settings. YouTube uses your birthdate to enforce age restrictions on videos, control which features you can use, and determine what ads you see. If you entered the wrong date when you created your account, or your information has changed, you can update it yourself in a few steps.

The process takes about two minutes and does not require you to contact YouTube support. Your birthdate is stored in your Google Account, which YouTube shares with other Google services like Gmail and Google Drive, so changing it in one place updates it everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your YouTube age by editing your birthdate in your Google Account settings, not in the YouTube app itself.
  • You must be signed into your Google Account and have access to a recovery email or phone number to make the change.
  • YouTube restricts certain features—like uploading videos or creating a channel—until you reach the minimum age of 13.
  • If you cannot remember your password or recovery information, you will need to go through Google's account recovery process before you can update your birthdate.

Steps to change your birthdate on a computer

Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with the Google Account connected to your YouTube channel. On the left side of the page, click Personal info.

Look for the Birthday field and click on it. A box will open showing your current birthdate. Click the pencil icon next to the date to edit it. Enter your correct month, day, and year, then click Save. Google will ask you to confirm your password before the change takes effect. Type your password and click Next. Your new birthdate is now active on your YouTube account.

Steps to change your birthdate on a phone or tablet

Open the Google Account app or go to myaccount.google.com in your phone's web browser. Sign in if you are not already logged in. Tap Personal info at the top of the screen.

Scroll down and tap Birthday. Tap the pencil icon to edit the date. Enter your correct month, day, and year using the date picker that appears. Tap Save. You will be asked to enter your password to confirm the change. Type it in and tap Next. The change will sync to your YouTube account within a few minutes.

What happens if you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password or no longer have access to your recovery email or phone number, you cannot change your birthdate until you regain access to your account. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow Google's account recovery steps. You will be asked to enter the email address or phone number associated with your account, then answer security questions or verify your identity through a recovery method.

This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days depending on how much information you can verify. Once you have regained access, you can then change your birthdate using the steps above.

Age restrictions and YouTube features

YouTube uses your birthdate to enforce age gates on certain videos and to control which features are available to you. If your account shows you are under 13, you cannot upload videos, create a channel, or use some monetization features. Videos marked as age-restricted will not play on your account until you turn 18 according to your birthdate.

If you change your birthdate to show you are now 18 or older, age-restricted videos will become visible to you when ready. However, YouTube may take up to 24 hours to update all of its systems, so some restrictions might still appear briefly after you make the change.

Common mistakes to avoid when updating your birthdate

Do not enter a fake birthdate just to bypass age restrictions. YouTube's systems can detect patterns of accounts with identical or suspicious birthdates, and doing this violates YouTube's terms of service. If YouTube suspects you have provided false information, your account could be suspended or permanently deleted.

Make sure you are editing the birthday in your Google Account settings, not somewhere else. Some third-party apps or websites claim to change YouTube settings but actually collect your login information. Only use myaccount.google.com or the official Google Account app to make changes to your personal information.

What to do if your change does not take effect

After you change your birthdate, YouTube usually updates within a few minutes, but it can take up to 24 hours for all features and restrictions to reflect the new age. If you still see age restrictions after a full day, try signing out of YouTube completely and signing back in. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then reload YouTube.

If the problem continues, check that you are signed into the correct Google Account. Some people have multiple Google Accounts and may be signed into the wrong one. Go back to myaccount.google.com and verify that the email address shown at the top matches the account you use for YouTube. If you need further help, you can contact Google Support through your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my YouTube age without changing my Google Account age?

No. YouTube pulls your birthdate directly from your Google Account, so changing one automatically changes the other. If you change your birthdate in Google Account settings, it will update on YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, and any other Google service linked to that account.

How long does it take for YouTube to recognize my new age?

Most changes take effect within a few minutes. However, YouTube's systems can take up to 24 hours to fully update all age-related restrictions and features. If you are still seeing age gates after a day, sign out completely and sign back in to refresh your session.

What if I entered my birthdate wrong when I was a child?

You can change it now using the steps above. Go to your Google Account settings, find the Birthday field, and enter your correct date. You will need to confirm your password. The change takes effect when ready for most features, though some restrictions may take up to 24 hours to update.

Will changing my age affect my YouTube watch history or subscriptions?

No. Changing your birthdate does not delete or modify your watch history, subscriptions, playlists, or any other content on your channel. It only changes which videos and features are available to you based on age restrictions.

What if I do not remember my exact birthdate?

You can enter your best estimate of the month and year. YouTube does not require you to know the exact day. If you are unsure, enter the 15th of the month as a placeholder, then update it later if you remember the correct date. You can change your birthdate as many times as you need.