What Restricted Mode Does and How to Turn It Off
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 language, violence, sexual content, or other mature themes — even if you search for them directly. Turning it off takes about 30 seconds and happens in your account settings, not in the video player.
The setting exists mainly for shared devices or accounts used by families. Schools and libraries sometimes turn it on for all users on their networks. If you are the account owner on your own device, you can disable it yourself. If someone else set it on a shared device, you will need their password or account access to change it.
Key Takeaways
- Restricted Mode filters videos YouTube flags as mature and lives in your account settings, not the video player.
- You must be signed into your YouTube account to change the setting — it does not work on the YouTube homepage when you are logged out.
- The setting syncs across all your devices once you change it, so you only need to turn it off once.
- If Restricted Mode is locked by a parent or guardian, you will see a lock icon next to the toggle and will not be able to change it without their PIN.
Steps to Disable Restricted Mode on Desktop
Start by going to YouTube.com and signing into your account if you are not already logged in. Look at the top right corner of the screen where your profile picture appears. Click on it to open a dropdown menu.
From that menu, select Settings. This takes you to your account settings page. On the left side, you will see a menu with several options. Click on Filters — this is where Restricted Mode lives. You will see a toggle switch next to "Restricted Mode." If it is currently on (the switch will be blue or colored), click it once to turn it off. YouTube will ask you to confirm. Click Turn off in the confirmation box. The page will refresh, and the toggle will now appear gray or off.
That is all you need to do on desktop. The change takes effect immediately across all your devices where you are signed into that same account.
Steps to Disable Restricted Mode on Mobile (iPhone or Android)
Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. Tap General to see more options.
Scroll down until you see Restricted Mode. Tap on it to open the toggle. If the toggle is on, tap it to turn it off. YouTube will show a confirmation message. Tap Turn off to confirm your choice. The setting will update immediately, and you will be returned to the Settings menu.
What to Do If Restricted Mode Is Locked
If you see a lock icon next to the Restricted Mode toggle, it means a parent or guardian has locked the setting with a PIN. You will not be able to change it without that PIN. This is a parental control feature designed to prevent someone from disabling the filter without permission.
If you are the parent or guardian who set the lock and forgot the PIN, you will need to sign out of the account completely and sign back in. YouTube will ask you to verify your identity (usually through a recovery email or phone number). Once you have verified your identity, you can access the Restricted Mode settings and change or remove the lock. If you are not the account owner, you will need to ask the person who set the lock to enter their PIN or change the setting for you.
Why YouTube Might Not Remember Your Setting
If you turn off Restricted Mode but it keeps turning back on, the most common cause is that you are not signed into your account. Restricted Mode settings only stick when you are logged in. Check the top right corner of YouTube — if you see "Sign in" instead of your profile picture, you are browsing as a guest. Sign in to your account first, then change the setting.
The second common cause is that you are using a shared device and someone else with access to the account is turning it back on. If you share a device with family members or roommates, ask them to check their settings. A third possibility is that your internet connection dropped while the setting was saving. Try turning it off again and wait a few seconds before closing the settings page.
Restricted Mode on YouTube TV and Other Platforms
If you use YouTube TV (the paid live TV service), Restricted Mode works the same way but lives in a slightly different place. Sign into your YouTube TV account, go to Settings in the top right, select your profile, and look for Parental Controls. The toggle for Restricted Mode is there.
On smart TVs, game consoles, or other devices where you watch YouTube, the setting syncs from your main YouTube account. You do not need to change it separately on each device — turning it off once in your account settings on desktop or mobile will disable it everywhere you are signed in. If you are using a shared smart TV and Restricted Mode is on, you will need to sign into the account that owns the TV and change the setting there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Restricted Mode let me see all videos on YouTube?
No. Restricted Mode only filters videos YouTube's system has flagged as mature. Videos that violate YouTube's community guidelines are removed entirely and will not appear whether Restricted Mode is on or off. Turning off Restricted Mode simply removes the filter for content YouTube considers mature but not against its rules.
Can I turn off Restricted Mode if I am under 18?
If the account is yours and no one has locked the setting with a PIN, yes. If a parent or guardian locked it, you cannot change it without their PIN. If you are using someone else's account, you cannot change their settings without their permission.
Will turning off Restricted Mode affect other people using my account?
Yes. Restricted Mode is tied to your account, not to individual devices. If you share your YouTube account with family members or roommates, changing the setting will affect what they see when they sign in on any device. If you want different people to have different filters, each person should have their own YouTube account.
What if I cannot find the Restricted Mode setting?
Make sure you are signed into your account — the setting only appears when you are logged in. On desktop, go to your profile picture, select Settings, then click Filters on the left menu. On mobile, go to your profile picture, select Settings, then tap General. If you still do not see it, try signing out completely and signing back in, or try a different browser or device.
Can schools or libraries lock Restricted Mode on their network?
Schools and libraries can restrict YouTube at the network level, which is different from individual account settings. If you are on a school or library network and cannot turn off Restricted Mode, the restriction is coming from the network itself, not your account. You would need to contact the network administrator or use a different network to change this.