Where to Find Your Age Settings on YouTube

Your age on YouTube is stored in your Google Account, not in YouTube itself. This means you change it through Google's account settings, then YouTube reads that information automatically. You cannot change your age directly within the YouTube app or website—you have to go through your Google Account first.

The fastest way is to visit myaccount.google.com on a computer or phone, sign in with the account connected to your YouTube channel, and look for the "Personal info" section. From there, you can edit your birth date. YouTube will reflect the change within a few hours, though sometimes it takes up to a day.

Key Takeaways

  • Your age is stored in your Google Account, so you must change it at myaccount.google.com, not in YouTube itself.
  • You need access to the email address and recovery phone number linked to your Google Account to make changes.
  • YouTube uses your age to decide which videos you can upload, which ads appear on your videos, and which content you can watch.
  • If you cannot remember your password or recovery information, you may need to verify your identity before Google lets you change your birth date.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Age on a Computer

Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with the Google Account linked to your YouTube channel. On the left side of the screen, click Personal info. You will see a section labeled Basic info with your name, email, and birth date listed.

Click on the birth date field. A small window will pop up showing your current month, day, and year. Click on each field to change it. Enter your correct birth date, then click Save. Google will ask you to confirm your password before the change takes effect. Type your password and click Next. The change usually appears on YouTube within a few hours.

If you see a message saying "You cannot change this information right now," it means Google has locked your account for security reasons. This happens if you have changed your birth date multiple times in a short period or if Google suspects unusual activity. Wait 24 to 48 hours and try again.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Age on a Phone

Open the Google Account app or go to myaccount.google.com in your phone's browser. Sign in, then tap Personal info at the top. Scroll down to Basic info and tap Birth date. A date picker will appear with your current month, day, and year.

Tap each field—month, day, and year—and use the up and down arrows or type directly to change the date. Once you have entered your correct birth date, tap Save. Google will ask for your password. Type it in and tap Next. The change will sync to YouTube within a few hours.

Why YouTube Needs Your Real Age

YouTube uses your age to enforce content rules and advertising policies. If you are under 13, YouTube does not allow you to have a standard account—you need a supervised account managed by a parent or guardian. If you are 13 or older, YouTube allows you to upload videos, but the age you provide determines which monetization features you can use and which ads can run on your channel.

Creators under 18 cannot earn money from ads on their videos. If you are 18 or older, you unlock the ability to earn revenue from YouTube Partner Program ads, channel memberships, and Super Chat. YouTube also uses your age to filter which videos appear in your recommendations and search results based on content ratings.

What Happens If You Cannot Access Your Account

If you forgot your password, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Google will ask you to enter your email address, then guide you through steps to prove you own the account. You may need to enter a recovery phone number, answer security questions, or verify a recovery email address you set up earlier. Once you regain access, follow the steps above to change your birth date.

If you do not have access to your recovery phone number or email, the process takes longer. Google may ask you to provide additional information like the date you created the account, devices you have used to sign in, or payment information associated with the account. Be honest and specific—vague answers slow down the recovery process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not try to change your age multiple times in a single week. Google flags repeated changes as suspicious activity and locks the birth date field for 24 to 48 hours. If you made a typo, wait a full day before trying again rather than correcting it when ready.

Do not use a fake birth date. YouTube's systems cross-check your age against payment methods, device information, and account history. If you later try to monetize your channel or access age-restricted features, YouTube may suspend your account if the age does not match other records. Use your actual birth date from the start.

Do not assume the change is when ready. YouTube can take up to 24 hours to update your age across all its systems. If you are trying to upload a video that requires you to be 18 or older, wait a full day after changing your birth date before attempting the upload.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can I change my age on YouTube?

Google allows you to change your birth date, but if you change it more than once every few weeks, the system locks the field for 24 to 48 hours as a security measure. You can change it as many times as you need over time, but space out changes by at least a week to avoid triggering the lock.

Will changing my age affect my YouTube videos or subscribers?

No. Changing your birth date does not delete videos, remove subscribers, or change your channel name or description. It only affects which features you can use going forward and which ads can run on your videos if you are a creator.

What if I created my YouTube account when I was under 13?

If you were under 13 when you created your account, it was set up as a supervised account linked to a parent's or guardian's Google Account. You cannot change the age yourself—the parent or guardian who manages the account must update it. Once you turn 13, they can convert it to a standard account.

Can I change my age if I have a YouTube channel that earns money?

Yes, you can change your age at any time. However, if you change your age to under 18, YouTube will disable monetization on your channel until you turn 18 again. If you change your age to under 13, your account will be converted to a supervised account and you will lose access to most features.

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

Usually a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours for the change to appear across all of YouTube's systems. If you are trying to upload age-restricted content or access a feature that requires a specific age, wait a full day after changing your birth date before attempting it.