YouTube lets you change your birth date in your Google Account settings, but the change has limits depending on how old the system thinks you are

Your YouTube age comes from your Google Account, not from YouTube itself. To change it, you go to your Google Account settings, find the personal information section, and update your birth date there. The change takes effect on YouTube within a few hours.

The catch: if Google's records show you are under 18, you cannot change your age yourself. You will need a parent or guardian to make the change through Google's Family Link system. If you are 18 or older in Google's records, you can change your birth date as many times as you want, though Google may flag repeated changes as suspicious.

Key Takeaways

  • Adults can change their birth date in Google Account settings under "Personal info," and the change appears on YouTube within hours.
  • If your account shows you are under 18, only a parent or guardian with Family Link access can change your age.
  • YouTube uses your age to control which videos you can watch, whether you can upload, and what ads you see.
  • Changing your age repeatedly or to an obviously false date may trigger a review by Google's security team.

How to change your age if you are 18 or older

Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with the account linked to your YouTube channel. On the left side, click Personal info. Find the line that says Date of birth and click the pencil icon next to it.

Enter your new birth date in the month, day, and year fields. Click Update. Google will ask you to confirm your password. After you do, the change is saved. YouTube will reflect the new age within a few hours, though sometimes it takes up to a day.

You can change your birth date again whenever you want if you are 18 or older. However, if you change it many times in a short period, Google may ask you to verify your identity or may temporarily lock the setting to prevent fraud.

What to do if your account is marked as under 18

If Google thinks you are under 18, the birth date field will be locked and you cannot edit it yourself. Instead, a parent or guardian must use Google Family Link to make the change. The parent or guardian needs their own Google Account and must have set up Family Link on your account when it was created.

The parent or guardian goes to families.google.com, signs in, selects your account, clicks Account info, and then Date of birth. They can update it from there. The change takes effect on your YouTube account within a few hours.

If you do not have a parent or guardian who can access Family Link, you will need to contact Google Support. They may ask for proof of your real age, such as a photo ID, before they unlock the setting.

Why YouTube cares about your age

YouTube uses your age to decide what content you can watch, upload, and monetize. If you are under 13, YouTube Kids is the only version you should use. If you are 13 to 17, you have a regular YouTube account but with restrictions: you cannot upload videos in certain categories, you cannot go live, and you cannot use some features like Super Chat.

Age also affects ads. Accounts marked as under 18 see fewer targeted ads and cannot use YouTube's advertising tools. Advertisers also avoid placing ads on videos that appeal to children, which can lower the money creators earn.

Google also uses age to comply with laws like COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) in the United States, which restricts how companies collect data from people under 13. Misrepresenting your age to bypass these rules violates YouTube's terms of service.

What happens if Google catches you lying about your age

If Google suspects your birth date is false — for example, if you change it multiple times, set it to an impossible date, or if the age does not match other information on your account — they may ask you to verify your identity. This usually means uploading a photo of your ID.

If you cannot or will not verify, Google may restrict your account. You might lose the ability to upload videos, use certain features, or monetize your channel. In serious cases, Google can suspend or delete your account.

If you are genuinely under 18 and need to change your age because the original information was wrong, contact Google Support with proof of your real birth date. They can usually fix it without penalty.

Changing your age on other devices

Your birth date is stored in your Google Account, not on your phone or computer. So if you change it on a desktop, it changes everywhere — YouTube, Gmail, Google Play, and any other Google service on any device you use.

You can make the change from a phone or tablet the same way: go to myaccount.google.com, sign in, tap Personal info, and update your birth date. The process is identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Usually a few hours, but sometimes up to a day. If it has been longer than 24 hours, try signing out of YouTube completely and signing back in. If the old age still shows, clear your browser cache or try a different browser.

Can I change my age if I am under 18 without my parent knowing?

No. If your account is linked to Family Link, only the parent or guardian can change your birth date. You cannot bypass this without their password or access to their Google Account.

What if I forgot my Google Account password and cannot change my age?

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow the steps to recover your account. Google will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Once you regain access, you can change your birth date.

Does changing my age affect my YouTube watch history or subscriptions?

No. Your videos, subscriptions, playlists, and watch history stay the same. Only the age restriction rules and ad settings change based on your new age.

Can I change my age back to what it was before?

Yes, if you are 18 or older. You can change your birth date as many times as you want. However, if you change it very frequently, Google may flag it as suspicious and ask you to verify your identity.