What Restricted Mode Does and Where to Find It
Restricted Mode is a YouTube setting that filters out videos YouTube's system flags as potentially mature content. When it is on, you will not see videos tagged for older audiences, and the comments section disappears from all videos. The setting lives in your YouTube account menu, not in your browser or device settings, so it follows you across any device where you sign in.
Restricted Mode is not a parental control that a parent can lock down — anyone with access to your account can turn it off. If you need to prevent someone else from changing it, YouTube does not offer that feature. School networks and some libraries use network-level filters instead, which work differently and cannot be changed from within YouTube itself.
Key Takeaways
- Restricted Mode is a YouTube account setting you turn on or off from the account menu, and it hides videos flagged as mature content.
- The setting takes effect when ready on the device you are using, but you must change it separately on each device where you sign in.
- Restricted Mode is not a lock — anyone who can access your account can turn it off, so it is not suitable for parental control.
- If your school or library has blocked YouTube at the network level, changing Restricted Mode in your account will not restore access.
Steps to Turn Restricted Mode On
Open YouTube and sign in to your account. Look for your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the screen and click it. A menu will drop down with several options.
Scroll down in that menu until you see Restricted Mode. Click on it. A toggle switch will appear — click the toggle to turn Restricted Mode on. The switch will turn blue or change color to show it is active. YouTube will ask you to confirm; click the confirmation button. The change takes effect when ready.
If you do not see Restricted Mode in the menu, you may be signed out or using a limited account. Sign out completely, then sign back in with your full account credentials and try again.
Steps to Turn Restricted Mode Off
Follow the same path: click your profile picture in the top right, scroll to Restricted Mode, and click it. The toggle switch will be blue or active. Click it again to turn Restricted Mode off. YouTube will ask you to confirm the change. Once you confirm, the setting is off and all videos will be visible again.
The comments section will reappear on videos within a few seconds. If you are still seeing filtered results, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. On mobile apps, close YouTube completely and reopen it.
Changing Restricted Mode on Different Devices
Restricted Mode is tied to your YouTube account, not to a specific device. If you sign in on your phone, your computer, and a tablet, each one starts with whatever setting your account currently has. However, you can change the setting on each device independently — turning it on your phone does not automatically turn it on your computer.
This means if you share a device with someone else and you both use the same YouTube account, changing Restricted Mode on that device affects both of you. If you need different settings, you will need separate YouTube accounts. If you use different accounts on the same device, each account can have its own Restricted Mode setting.
What Happens When Restricted Mode Is On
Videos flagged as mature will not appear in search results, recommendations, or your subscriptions feed. The comments section disappears from every video, so you cannot read or post comments. Playlists created by other users may also be hidden if YouTube's system flags them as containing mature content.
Restricted Mode is not perfect — some videos slip through the filter, and some videos that should be visible get blocked by mistake. If you find a video that should not be hidden, you can report it to YouTube through the video's menu (the three dots next to the title). YouTube reviews reports but does not always change the classification.
Troubleshooting: Restricted Mode Will Not Turn Off
If you click the toggle but Restricted Mode stays on, first try signing out completely and signing back in. Close the YouTube tab entirely, clear your browser cookies, and then go to YouTube.com and sign in again. This fixes most cases where the setting is stuck.
On mobile, uninstall the YouTube app completely, restart your phone, and reinstall the app from the app store. Sign in and try changing Restricted Mode again. If it still will not budge, the problem may be at the network level — your school, workplace, or internet provider may have locked Restricted Mode on. Contact your network administrator; they are the only ones who can unlock it.
Restricted Mode vs. Parental Controls
Restricted Mode is not a parental control. It is a content filter that anyone with your password can turn off in seconds. If you are a parent trying to limit what a child can watch, Restricted Mode alone is not enough.
Better options include creating a separate child account and using YouTube's Family Link feature, which lets you set restrictions that require your password to change. You can also use your device's built-in parental controls — most phones and computers let you restrict app access or set screen time limits. These methods are harder for a child to bypass than a YouTube account setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Restricted Mode block all mature content?
No. Restricted Mode filters videos YouTube's system flags as mature, but the system is not perfect. Some mature videos still appear, and some videos that should be visible get blocked by mistake. It is a filter, not a may provide.
Can I lock Restricted Mode so someone else cannot turn it off?
Not within YouTube itself. Anyone who knows your password can change the setting. If you need a lock, use YouTube Family Link (for a child account) or your device's parental controls instead.
Will Restricted Mode work if my school has blocked YouTube?
No. If your school blocks YouTube at the network level, changing Restricted Mode in your account will not restore access. Only your school's network administrator can change that block.
Do I have to change Restricted Mode on every device I use?
Yes. Each device can have a different Restricted Mode setting, even if you use the same account. If you want the same setting everywhere, you will need to change it on each device separately.
What if I turn off Restricted Mode but videos are still hidden?
Try refreshing the page or closing and reopening YouTube. On mobile, close the app completely and reopen it. If videos are still hidden after that, your network (school, workplace, or internet provider) may have filtering in place. Contact your network administrator.