Where to find your age information on YouTube
YouTube stores an age on your account based on what you entered when you signed up or what Google has on file from your Google account. You can see this age in your account settings, though the exact location depends on whether you use YouTube on a computer or phone. The age YouTube shows is what the platform uses to decide which videos you can watch and which ads you see — so if it is wrong, fixing it matters.
Your age information lives in your Google Account settings, not in YouTube itself. This means you will leave YouTube to view or change it. Google keeps this information separate from your YouTube channel name and other profile details, which is why many people do not know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube pulls your age from your Google Account, not from YouTube settings alone, so you must check Google Account settings to see it.
- On a computer, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info," and look for your birth date under the name section.
- On a phone, open the Google app or Gmail, tap your profile picture, select "Manage your Google Account," go to the "Personal info" tab, and scroll to birth date.
- If your age is wrong, you can edit it directly in the same location, and the change takes effect immediately on YouTube.
- YouTube may restrict your account if you appear to be under 13, so having the correct age on file prevents unexpected limitations.
Checking your age on a computer
Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. You will see your Google Account dashboard. On the left side, click "Personal info". This opens a page with your name, email, phone number, and other account details.
Scroll down until you see "Birth date". This is the age YouTube uses. It will show your full birth date (month, day, and year) or just the year, depending on what you entered. If nothing appears in this field, you never set a birth date when you created your account, and YouTube may treat you as having an unknown age.
Checking your age on a phone or tablet
Open the Google app or Gmail — either one works. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will appear. Select "Manage your Google Account".
At the top of the screen, you will see tabs. Tap the "Personal info" tab. Scroll down the page until you find "Birth date". This is the same information YouTube sees on your computer.
What happens if your age is missing or wrong
If the birth date field is blank, YouTube does not know your age. This can trigger restrictions: YouTube may limit which videos you can watch, disable comments, or prevent you from uploading videos. Some features require you to be at least 18, and YouTube cannot verify this without a birth date on file.
If your birth date is wrong — for example, you entered the wrong year by accident — YouTube will use that incorrect age to filter content and ads. A 16-year-old with a birth date showing age 25 will see different ads and may access videos marked for older viewers. The reverse is also true: an adult with a birth date showing age 12 will face restrictions meant for younger users.
How to fix your age on YouTube
Go back to myaccount.google.com and click "Personal info". Find the "Birth date" field and click on it. A box will appear where you can edit the date. Enter your correct birth date (month, day, and year) and click "Save".
The change takes effect immediately. YouTube will update within a few minutes, and you should see the correct age restrictions and ads the next time you refresh the page. If you were previously restricted because of an incorrect age, those restrictions will lift once the correct date is saved.
Why YouTube needs your real birth date
YouTube is required by law to treat users under 13 differently than older users. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) sets strict rules about what data YouTube can collect from children and how it can use that data. YouTube uses your birth date to know whether these rules apply to your account.
If YouTube thinks you are under 13, it disables comments, recommendations based on your watch history, and personalized ads. These are not punishments — they are legal requirements. If you are actually 13 or older and your birth date says you are younger, you are stuck with these restrictions until you fix it.
What to do if you cannot remember your birth date
If you cannot remember what you entered when you created your account, you will need to contact Google Support. Go to support.google.com, search for "change birth date," and select the option for your device type (computer or phone). Google will ask you to verify your identity — usually by answering security questions or confirming a recovery email or phone number.
Once you verify your identity, Google can help you update the birth date. This process can take a few hours to a few days, depending on how quickly you respond to verification requests. Keep your recovery email and phone number up to date so this process goes faster if you ever need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my birth date on YouTube without going to Google Account settings?
No. YouTube does not have its own birth date settings. All age information comes from your Google Account, so you must edit it there. YouTube will automatically use whatever birth date is in your Google Account.
Will changing my birth date affect other Google services?
Yes. Your Google Account birth date is used across all Google services, including Gmail, Google Play, and Google Search. Changing it will affect age restrictions on all of them, not just YouTube. Make sure the date you enter is accurate.
What if YouTube says I am too young to do something, but I know I am old enough?
Check your birth date in Google Account settings first. If it is correct, wait 24 hours — YouTube sometimes takes time to update restrictions after a birth date change. If the restriction persists after a day, contact YouTube Support through your account and explain the issue.
Does YouTube verify that the birth date I enter is real?
YouTube does not verify your birth date when you enter it. It trusts the information in your Google Account. However, if you try to access age-restricted features (like monetizing videos), Google may ask for additional proof of age, such as a government ID.
Can I hide my birth date from YouTube?
No. Your birth date must be on file for YouTube to work properly. You cannot make it private or hidden from the platform. However, your birth date is not visible on your public YouTube channel — only you and Google can see it.