Where to find your age setting on YouTube

Your age on YouTube lives in your Google Account settings, not in the YouTube app itself. YouTube pulls your birth date from your Google Account — the same account that powers Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. To change it, you log into your Google Account on a computer or phone, find the Personal Info section, and update your birth date there. YouTube reads that change automatically within a few hours.

You cannot change your age directly inside the YouTube app or website. If you try to look for an age setting in YouTube's own settings menu, you will not find one. That is because YouTube does not store your age separately — it only displays what Google Account already has on file.

Key Takeaways

  • Your YouTube age comes from your Google Account birth date, which you change in Google Account settings, not in YouTube itself.
  • You need to log into myaccount.google.com, click Personal Info, and update your birth date in the Date of Birth field.
  • The change takes effect across YouTube, Gmail, Google Play, and all other Google services within a few hours.
  • If your account is a child account managed by a parent, the parent must make the change from their own account.

Steps to change your birth date in Google Account

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. You will see a section labeled Date of Birth with your current birth date displayed.

Click on the Date of Birth field. A calendar picker will appear. Select your birth month, day, and year. Once you have entered the correct date, click Save. Google will confirm the change, and you are done. The new birth date will be active on YouTube within a few hours, though it usually takes effect much faster.

If you do not see a Date of Birth field, or if it is grayed out and you cannot click it, your account may be a child account. Child accounts are managed by a parent or guardian, and only that parent can change the birth date. The parent must log into their own Google Account, go to Google Family Link, select the child's account, and update the birth date from there.

Why YouTube uses your birth date

YouTube uses your birth date to decide which content you can watch and which features you can use. If you are under 18, YouTube restricts access to certain videos marked as age-restricted. If you are under 13, YouTube does not allow you to create a standard account at all — accounts for children under 13 must be created through Google Family Link by a parent.

Your birth date also controls whether you can use features like YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and YouTube's monetization tools for creators. Some of these features have age minimums set by YouTube or by law. Changing your birth date will change which features appear available to you, but it will not bypass YouTube's content filters or safety rules.

What happens after you change your age

Once your birth date updates, YouTube will adjust your account settings within a few hours. If you were under 18 and are now 18 or older, age-restricted videos will become visible to you. If you were 13 or older and are now under 13, YouTube may restrict your account or ask you to create a Family Link setup, depending on your location and YouTube's policies.

Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists do not change. Your YouTube channel and any videos you have uploaded stay exactly as they are. Only the content and features available to you will shift based on your new age.

If you cannot access your Google Account

If you forgot your Google Account password, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow the recovery steps. Google will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier. Once you regain access, you can change your birth date as described above.

If you do not remember which email address is connected to your YouTube channel, open YouTube, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and click Create a channel or Manage your Google Account. This will show you which Google Account is active. Then log out and log back in with the correct account if needed.

Changing age on a child account through Family Link

If the YouTube account belongs to a child and is managed through Google Family Link, the parent must make the change. The parent logs into their own Google Account, opens Google Family Link, selects the child's account from the list, and clicks Account Info. From there, the parent can update the child's birth date.

The child cannot change their own birth date on a Family Link account, even if they know the password. Only the parent or guardian who set up Family Link has permission to edit the child's personal information. If the child is now old enough to manage their own account, the parent can remove the Family Link supervision, after which the child can change their own birth date.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Usually within a few hours, sometimes when ready. YouTube syncs with your Google Account settings regularly throughout the day. If you do not see the change after a few hours, try logging out of YouTube completely and logging back in.

Will changing my age affect my YouTube channel or videos?

No. Your channel name, subscriber count, videos, and watch history all stay the same. Only the content and features available to you will change based on your new age.

Can I change my age on the YouTube app instead of a computer?

You can start the process on the app by going to your profile, tapping Manage your Google Account, and then Personal Info. However, the actual change must be made in Google Account settings, which works better on a computer browser. The steps are the same either way.

What if I entered the wrong birth date when I created my account?

You can change it anytime by following the steps in this guide. Google does not restrict how often you can update your birth date, though changing it very frequently might trigger a security review.

Does YouTube verify that my birth date is real?

YouTube does not verify your birth date against government records or other documents. It relies on what you enter in your Google Account. However, if you change your age multiple times in a short period, Google may flag your account for security review.