Restricted Mode filters out content YouTube flags as potentially mature
Restricted Mode is a YouTube filter that hides videos, channels, and playlists the platform marks as potentially mature or inappropriate. When it is on, you see a narrower version of YouTube's library. Turning it off restores access to the full catalog — though the videos themselves do not change, only what appears in your search results and recommendations.
Restricted Mode lives in your account settings, not in a video player button. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are signed in, what device you use, and whether you are managing your own account or a child's account through Family Link.
Key Takeaways
- Restricted Mode is a filter in your YouTube account settings, not a parental control that locks the app — anyone with access to your account can turn it off.
- On a computer, go to your account icon, select Settings, then Safety, and toggle Restricted Mode off; on a phone or tablet, the option is in the app settings under Restricted Mode.
- If you manage a child's account through Google Family Link, you control Restricted Mode from the Family Link app on your own device, not from YouTube.
- Restricted Mode is not a security feature — it is a content filter that YouTube applies based on its own categorization, and it can be disabled by anyone who knows where to find it.
Disable Restricted Mode on a Computer
On a desktop or laptop, sign into your YouTube account and look for your profile picture or initial in the top right corner. Click it to open a menu, then select Settings. From the Settings page, click Safety in the left sidebar.
Under the Safety section, you will see a toggle for Restricted Mode. It will show either "On" or "Off" next to the toggle. Click the toggle to switch it off. YouTube will ask you to confirm the change. Once you confirm, Restricted Mode is disabled and your search results and recommendations will include the full range of content YouTube hosts.
The change takes effect immediately, though it may take a few moments for your recommendations to update. If you are signed out of YouTube, Restricted Mode will remain off the next time you sign in, because the setting is tied to your account.
Disable Restricted Mode on a Phone or Tablet
Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. Tap General, then look for Restricted Mode.
Tap the Restricted Mode option and select Off from the choices shown. The app will confirm the change. Like the computer version, this setting is saved to your account, so it will stay off when you use YouTube on other devices or in a web browser.
Disable Restricted Mode on a Child's Account Through Family Link
If you are a parent or guardian managing a child's account through Google Family Link, Restricted Mode is controlled from the Family Link app on your device, not from YouTube itself. Open the Family Link app, select the child's account, then tap Controls on Google Play or YouTube depending on your device and app version.
Look for the Restricted Mode setting and toggle it off. The change will apply to that child's YouTube account on all their devices. Note that Family Link also includes other parental controls beyond Restricted Mode — you can set screen time limits, approve or block specific apps, and see activity reports from the Family Link app.
What Happens When You Turn Restricted Mode Off
Disabling Restricted Mode does not download new content or change YouTube's library. It simply removes the filter that hides videos YouTube has tagged as mature. Your search results will broaden, your recommendations may include different videos, and channels that were hidden will become visible again.
The change is immediate on the device where you made it. If you use YouTube on multiple devices with the same account, the setting will sync within a few minutes, though you may need to refresh or restart the app to see the updated results.
Restricted Mode Is Not a Lock
Restricted Mode is a content filter, not a parental control that prevents access. Anyone who can sign into your account can turn it back on or off. If you are trying to restrict access for a child, Restricted Mode alone is not sufficient — you need to use Google Family Link, which requires a separate parent account and a PIN to make changes.
Family Link gives you actual control: you can set screen time limits, block specific apps, and see what your child watches. Restricted Mode is just a filter that YouTube applies, and it can be bypassed by anyone with your password or anyone who knows where the setting is located.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off Restricted Mode show me adult content?
No. Restricted Mode filters out videos YouTube categorizes as potentially mature, but YouTube does not host adult content in the first place. Turning off Restricted Mode expands what you see, but it does not unlock a hidden library of explicit material.
Can I turn off Restricted Mode if I am signed out?
No. Restricted Mode is an account setting, so you must be signed in to change it. If you are signed out, YouTube will apply whatever setting is attached to your account. If you forget your password, you will need to recover your account through Google's account recovery process before you can adjust the setting.
Does Restricted Mode protect my privacy or security?
No. Restricted Mode is only a content filter based on YouTube's categorization. It does not hide your watch history, protect your data, or prevent tracking. If you want privacy controls, look at your YouTube privacy settings or your browser's privacy mode separately.
What if Restricted Mode is stuck on and I cannot turn it off?
If you are on a child's account managed through Family Link, only the parent account can change the setting. If you are on your own account and the toggle will not move, try signing out and back in, or clear your browser cache and try again. If the problem persists, check whether your account is managed by an organization or school, which may lock the setting.
Does turning off Restricted Mode affect other people using my device?
Only if they sign into your YouTube account. If other people use the device with their own accounts, each account has its own Restricted Mode setting. If you share a device and want different settings for different people, each person should have their own YouTube account.