How to Turn Off Age Restriction on YouTube (2026 Guide)

Two different restrictions

Restricted Mode is an optional filter that can hide potentially mature content. Age restriction applies to particular videos and limits who can watch them. Switching Restricted Mode off does not remove a video’s age restriction, override a copyright restriction or guarantee access to every video. YouTube explains the distinction.

Why YouTube age-restricts a video

YouTube adds an age restriction when a video does not break its Community Guidelines but may not suit viewers under 18. The age-restricted content policy groups the reasons into five areas:

Child safety: adults doing dangerous things minors could copy, or adult content that could be mistaken for family content.
Harmful or dangerous activities: fake pranks that look real, and content that promotes regulated substances.
Nudity and sexually suggestive content: poses or clothing meant to be sexually suggestive.
Violent or graphic content: footage of injuries or the most violent part of a film or game.
Vulgar language: heavy profanity in the title, thumbnail or metadata, or videos built around swearing.

The policy covers the video itself, its description, custom thumbnail and live streams. Marking a video as made for kids does not change whether it is age-restricted.

Change Restricted Mode on your own device

On a computer, sign in to YouTube, open your profile menu and find Restricted Mode. Change the setting if your account and device allow it. The filter can be set separately for different browsers or devices. Schools, workplaces, network administrators or Family Link may control it; if the setting is locked, check the administrator or account controls rather than treating it as a broken video.

Turn off Restricted Mode step by step

On a computer

Sign in to YouTube.
Click your profile photo in the top right corner.
Select Restricted Mode at the bottom of the menu.
In the box that opens, switch Activate Restricted Mode off.

In the YouTube app on Android or iPhone

Tap your profile photo.
Open Settings, then General.
Turn Restricted Mode off.

On smart displays and speakers

Open the Google Home app, go to the device settings and open the YouTube settings. A device manager can change Restricted Mode for every user of that display.

Why Restricted Mode keeps turning back on

The setting is saved per browser, per device and, where supported, per profile. Turning it off in Chrome on your laptop does not change Safari on your phone, and clearing browser data can bring the default back. If the switch is grey, someone else controls it: a school, library or office network, a parent using Family Link for a supervised account, or a content filter from your mobile network provider. While Restricted Mode is on, comments under videos are hidden as well, so missing comments are another sign the filter is active.

Watching an age-restricted video

You generally need to be signed in and at least 18 to watch age-restricted content. YouTube may require age verification in some circumstances. Use your accurate date of birth and follow the official verification process. Do not falsify your age or expect a filter setting to override eligibility. Check YouTube’s age-restricted-content guidance for the applicable limits. If you also want to promote a video, see our YouTube views packages.

Age verification by country

Being signed in is not always enough. YouTube checks age in different ways depending on where you are:

United States: since July 29, 2025, YouTube uses AI to estimate whether a signed-in user is under 18, based on signals such as the videos searched for, the categories watched and the age of the account. YouTube says only users inferred or verified as over 18 can view age-restricted content. If the estimate is wrong, you can verify with a credit card or a government ID.
European Union, EEA, Switzerland and the UK: you may be asked to upload an image of a valid ID or credit card.
Australia: you may be asked for a driver’s license, Proof of Age card or passport.

The age verification help page lists the current options.

If your own upload is restricted

Creators can check the video’s age-restriction status in YouTube Studio. If you believe YouTube applied it incorrectly, use the available appeal process and explain the relevant context. An appeal is a review request, not a promise that the restriction will be removed. Age-restricted videos can also have limited advertising and embedding availability.

What changes for an age-restricted video

Signed-out viewers and viewers under 18 cannot watch it.
On most other websites it cannot play as an embed. Viewers are sent to YouTube to sign in.
Ads can still run, but many advertisers exclude this content, so earnings are often lower.
Signed-in adult viewers see a notice under the description.

To find affected uploads, open the Content page in YouTube Studio and use the Age restriction filter, or look for Viewable by 18+ in the Notices column. Ratings can change when YouTube updates its systems, so check again after an appeal or an edit to the title and thumbnail.

Troubleshoot the actual message

First identify whether the notice concerns Restricted Mode, age, copyright, location, sign-in or an administrator. Those problems require different solutions. Follow the official instructions for that notice, protect your account credentials and avoid tools that promise to bypass every restriction.

Quick checks when a video still will not play

Make sure you are signed in to the account you expect, not a brand account or a child profile.
Open the video on youtube.com or in the app instead of an embedded player on another site.
Switch Restricted Mode off in the browser or app you are using right now.
Try another network. A school or office network can force the filter on.
Read the exact message. A copyright block or a country block needs a different fix than an age check.

If you are a creator and want a new video to reach more people once the restriction is cleared, our guide on getting more views on YouTube covers the next steps.

Common questions

Does turning off Restricted Mode remove age restrictions?

No. Restricted Mode is a separate filter. An age-restricted video still needs a signed-in account that YouTube treats as 18 or older.

Why can’t I turn off Restricted Mode?

The setting is locked by a network administrator, by Family Link on a supervised account, or by the device manager of a smart display. Ask the person who manages that network or account.

Can I watch age-restricted videos without signing in?

No. YouTube requires a signed-in adult account, and embedded players on other sites send viewers to YouTube to sign in.

How do I remove an age restriction from my own video?

Edit anything that triggered it, such as the thumbnail or title, then request a review through the appeal option in YouTube Studio.

Is Restricted Mode on by default?

On most personal accounts it is off. It is often switched on for school, library and office networks and for supervised accounts.

Sources

Sources checked on October 28, 2026.

About the Author Chris

I'm Chris Taylor, a creative Content Manager and Copywriter specializing in social media, digital marketing, and emerging technologies. I create engaging, relatable, and strategic content that captures attention, builds trust, and encourages meaningful audience interaction.As an expert in social media, I'm always up-to-date with the newest trends, using them to develop content that's not just educational but also enjoyable and widely shareable. Recognizing the power of storytelling in brand development, I'm committed to crafting stories that forge a personal connection with audiences. My combination of attention to detail and creative flair ensures that every content I produce resonates deeply with its intended audience.