How to Block Video Apps on iOS for Free?

Videos have become among the most engaging forms of content on smartphones, and while constant scrolling can have several negative effects, these are a lot more pronounced in the case of children. Sometimes, however, you might even need to block video apps on your partner’s phone if you suspect they use them to consume mature content without telling you about it. If you’re wondering how to block all videos on iOS, this guide will explain six different methods.

Part 1: What Methods Suit Me Most?

Here is a quick recap of the key points discussed in this guide:

1 There are various free methods to block video apps on iPhones and iOS devices. You can reduce the age limit, set screen time restrictions, use Guided Access, and prevent YouTube from being installed. Part 2 >>

2 You can also use third-party phone tracker apps like Famiguard Pro to block video apps and monitor your child’s device's other activities. Part 3 >>

3 Reducing YouTube consumption can improve sleep patterns, encourage offline and outdoor activities, and improve your child’s social development. Part 4 >>

Part 2: How to Block Video Apps on iPhone and iPad Free?

There are various methods for blocking video apps on iPhones and iPads for free. This section discusses six different methods.

1. Block Access to YouTube Completely with Age Limit

The first method is to use the screen time limits to block access to YouTube and TikTok completely. This method is free and doesn’t require purchasing any third-party apps. Using Screen Time to block the app doesn’t mean that the app will be deleted; the user will simply not be able to access the app.

The best part about this method is that it doesn’t just apply to the YouTube app but also to the website when the user tries accessing it using Google Chrome or Safari. It also allows you to set age restrictions, as YouTube has a restriction of 13+ years.

Here’s how you can go about this process:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your child’s iPhone and navigate to “Screen Time.” Then, click on “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and enter the device’s passcode.

Step 2. Turn the switch on so it turns green, and then click on “App Store, Media, We & Games.”

Step 3. Click on the app’s option to set the age limit to 9+, which is lower than YouTube's. This will help you block access to YouTube, as it is meant for more mature children.

Block YouTube from Safari

While blocking the app is the first step, you still have to block YouTube from browsers on your child’s device. They can simply open the YouTube website from there and start watching videos. This includes web browsers like Safari and Google Chrome. The primary way of doing this is by setting age restrictions since YouTube itself has a restriction of 13+.

If you want to block access to YouTube on the web, follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 1. Click on the Settings app and then navigate to “Screen Time.”

Step 2. Click on “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and toggle it on.

Step 3. Click “Store, Web, Siri, & Game Center Content” and select “Web Content.”

Step 4. Click on “Limit Adult Websites” and, in the Never Allow section, click on “Add Website.”

Step 5. You can then add the URL of the YouTube website to the list to restrict access to it.

Restrict YouTube Usage (With App Limits and Downtime)

Even if you decide to give your child access to YouTube or the YouTube Kids app, you can still restrict its usage to ensure they don’t spend too much time on their mobile devices. Here is how you can do this:

Step 1. Open the YouTube Kids app and sign in using your parent account. Then, click on the lock icon in the bottom right corner.

Step 2. Solve the equation to enter the custom password.

Step 3. Click on “Timer.”

Step 4. Set the time limit to which you’d like to restrict your child’s viewing time and click “Start Timer.”

Once your child reaches the time limit while watching videos on the app, it will automatically close.

4. Prevent YouTube Installation

If your child’s device already has the YouTube app, you can uninstall it from the iPhone and prevent them from re-installing it. Here is how you can do this for free:

Step 1. Uninstall the app by removing it from the app list or the home screen on the iPhone.

Step 2. Open the Settings app and navigate to “Screen Time.”

Step 3. Click on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”

Step 4. Select “iTunes & App Store Purchases.”

Step 5. Click on “Installing Apps” and set it to “Don’t Allow.”

5. Block YouTube Website on WiFi Router

Another option that you can use to block YouTube is to block it from your WiFi router. Some high-end routers allow you to filter apps and websites for the entire network. This section will show you how you can blacklist YouTube’s website and all its respective domains.

Following the steps mentioned below, you can ensure that no device connected to the same WiFi network can install the YouTube app or access its website from a web browser. While the steps mentioned below are general, the specific steps will depend on which router you have.

Step 1. Check the WiFi router for its IP address. You will find this on the router's box if it isn’t mentioned on the router. Here is an example of what it will look like: “195.168.1.128”

Step 2. Enter the router’s username and password to access its settings. If there is no password, you can skip this step. If you’ve forgotten the password, you can try resetting it.

Step 3. Navigate to the router’s settings and then to “Parental Control” or “Website Filtering” on the router’s account.

Step 4. Enter the web address of the YouTube website or select the YouTube app to block them.

Step 5. Save the changes so they’re applied to the entire network.

As mentioned earlier, this will prevent devices connected to the network from accessing the YouTube website or installing the app.

6. Use Guided Access

Sometimes, you might want to prevent your child from using the YouTube app while studying or working. You can use the Guided Access feature to do this. This limits the device’s usage to a single app, such as a learning-related one that you want your child to focus on. Here’s how you can use this feature to restrict access to YouTube:

Step 1. Open the Settings app and click on “Accessibility.”

Step 2. Scroll to the bottom till you reach Guided Access, and turn it on.

Step 3. Click “Passcode Settings” and set the passcode or use the device’s Face ID. This allows you to turn it off easily and removes the need to remember a passcode.

Step 4. Launch the YouTube app for your child on the iPhone. Then, click on the power button on the side of the iPhone (or the home button for the iPhone 8 and older) thrice.

Step 5. Draw a circle around any features you don’t want your child to access. This will disable touch in that area. As you do this, the device will automatically turn that into a box around the respective feature. You can also adjust this box’s size or delete it if needed.

Step 6. Once you’re done selecting a feature or more, click " Start " in the top right corner. Now, your child won’t be able to use YouTube or any other app other than the one you choose for them.

Step 7. Enter the passcode. And verify it a second time. With this, the features you select will be blocked, and they can only use that app. Once their time with their phone is done, you can click on the power button thrice again, enter the passcode, and click “End” in the top left corner to end Guided Access.

Part 3: How to Monitor All Videos on iOS with Parental Control App?

Besides watching videos online, kids can download inappropriate videos and watch them locally. You have known how to block YouTube on iPhone, then how to check local videos on kids’ iPhones without taking their phones every time?

You can use parental control app like FamiGuard Pro for assistance. FamiGuard Pro can help you to monitor your children’ local images and videos library, without jailbreaking. And parents can set related parental control and check screen time report without having an iCloud account. It’s easy to monitor iPhone from Android with FamiGuard Pro.

How to Check Videos Library on iPhone with FamiGuard Pro?

Step 1. Create/Sign in your account and pick the suitable subscription plan to unlock all FamiGuard Pro features.

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Step 2. Choose the device you want to bind and follow the Set up guide to finish installation and configuration on the target device. You can choose the way to access data, using iCloud credentials or iTunes backup. Take iCloud monitoring as example, enter the iCloud ID of the target device you want to monitor.

Step 3. After you set up successfully, you can begin your monitor now.

Amazing Features of FamiGuard Pro

• Monitor social apps’ messages: Parents can view kids’ social media chats remotely, to know whether your loved ones meet with bullying or inappropriate things online.
• Track real-time location: FamiGuard Pro can help parents to know where kids are, so you don’t need to pay extra to have a phone tracker or use airtags for traking.
• View Safari history: Parents can check both browsing history and searching history on iPhone with the help of FamiGuard Pro.

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Part 4: The Benefits of Limiting YouTube For Kids

Limiting YouTube has various benefits for kids. For starters, it directly reduces their screen time, which helps reduce the damage caused to their eyes in their earlier years. In turn, this helps free up more time for offline or outdoor activities such as playing sports or reading.

Helps Social Development: Reducing kids’ screen time and encouraging them to spend time with their peers helps improve their social skills and confidence levels.

Prevents Potential Exposure to Mature Content: The internet and apps like YouTube and TikTok contain mature content for younger children and teens. Limiting their screen time and preventing access to the search functionality ensures that they only consume content.

Improves Sleep Patterns: Reducing screen time before bed can help your child sleep better and fall asleep faster. This also applies to adults, but it becomes particularly important for kids.

FAQ about Blocking Videos on iOS

1. How do I block a YouTube channel on iOS?

The best way to block a YouTube channel on iOS is to use the device’s native parental control settings.

2. How do I hide YouTube on iOS?

To hide YouTube on an iOS device, you can set the app's age limit to 9+. Since YouTube has an age rating of 13+, setting this will automatically block the app from your child’s device.

3. How do I make YouTube private on my iPhone?

To set YouTube as private on your iPhone, open YouTube, click on your profile picture, and then click on “Your Videos.” Click on the video you want to make private, click on Edit, then set its visibility to “Private.”

4. How do I lock the YouTube app on iOS?

To lock the YouTube app on an iOS device:

1. Open “Settings” and then click on “Screen Time.”
2. Click on “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and enter the device’s passcode.
3. Toggle the switch on and click “Store, Web, Siri, & Game Center Content.”
4. Click on the apps to set the age limit to 9+.

5. How do I child-lock my iPhone on YouTube?

There are multiple ways to lock YouTube on your child’s device. You can use Guided Access, set the age limit for apps to 9+, uninstall the app, and then prevent your child from re-installing it.

Conclusion

Blocking YouTube on your child’s iPhone or iOS device can have a range of benefits. It reduces their screen time, encourages more active hobbies, and helps improve their sleep patterns. There are also various ways you can go about blocking all videos on iOS, and this guide has listed six different methods you can use.

However, if you want a comprehensive phone tracker app that also tracks all your child’s activities on their phone, you should use Famiguard Pro. It offers a free demo on its website, where you can explore its features and explore how to navigate the dashboard.

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