The short version: to turn off age restriction on YouTube, click your profile picture, scroll to Restricted Mode, and switch the toggle off. That handles it on desktop, the mobile app and mobile browsers. If the toggle will not move, or the video still says the content may be inappropriate, skip to the blockers further down. Those are a different problem with a different fix.
YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform, which is best for watching videos on just about any subject. The platform has billions of users across the world, and among them, a huge share is of kids. To make the platform secure and safe for kids, YouTube has given features like ‘Restricted mode’ to ensure that the content remains appropriate for all age groups. Through the use of this setting, you will be able to filter out potentially mature or adult content, ensuring that your kid enjoys the perks of YouTube in a safer place.
However, if you are an adult who does not want to be restricted by such features as it limits your access to certain videos, you can remove the age restriction on YouTube, too. Now, the question arises here: How to remove and apply age restrictions? To answer this question and address all concerns of yours, UnityFilms has brought a blog that tends to provide all the information you need.
What is Restricted Mode?
Restricted mode is the YouTube feature that is aimed at keeping the videos of mature themes away from the eyes of users under 18 years of age. Such content is flagged and made inaccessible if it contains profanity, violence, nudity, or any other sensitive subject that is too much for individuals under 18 years of age.
This feature is good for parental controls and for public network environments such as schools or libraries. But at times, this feature blocks content that is perfectly acceptable for adults to view. The thing is YouTube automatically turns on this feature for users who are logged out of their account or who do not have their age verified. So, if you are over 18 and want unrestricted access to YouTube content, you will have to disable this feature.
Restricted Mode and age-restricted videos are not the same thing
Most guides blur these together, which is why people follow the steps and the video still will not play.
Restricted Mode is a filter you control. It sits in your own account settings, it hides content YouTube considers mature, and you can switch it off in a few seconds. Everything in the next section deals with this.
Age-restricted videos are different. YouTube itself has flagged that specific video as 18+, and no setting on your side removes the flag. The video will play only if you are signed in to an account with a verified date of birth showing you are 18 or older. If you see the message that the content may be inappropriate for some users, this is what you are looking at, not Restricted Mode.
The quick test: if the toggle switches off but the video still will not play, you are dealing with an age-restricted video, not Restricted Mode.
How to Turn Off Age Restriction on YouTube?
From Desktop
On a desktop or laptop it takes about 30 seconds.
- Sign in to your YouTube account. The account must have a date of birth showing 18 or older.
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Scroll to the bottom of the drop-down menu and click Restricted Mode.
- If the switch is blue, click it. Grey means Restricted Mode is off.
The setting saves to that browser, so if you use more than one browser you will need to repeat it in each.
From Mobile App
The steps are identical on Android and iOS.
- Open the YouTube app and make sure you are signed in.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap General.
- Toggle Restricted Mode off.
Unlike the desktop version, this applies to your account on that device rather than to a browser.
From Mobile Browser
- Open your mobile browser and go to youtube.com.
- Sign in to your account.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Restricted Mode.
- Toggle the switch off.
As on desktop, this setting is tied to the browser, so it will not carry over to the YouTube app.
Four reasons the toggle will not switch off
If you followed the steps and Restricted Mode switched itself back on, or the toggle would not move at all, one of these four things is causing it.
Network Restrictions
If you are on a school, library, or workplace network, the administrator may have turned on restricted mode for everyone. In this case, it needs to be disabled by the network administrator.
Google Account with Incorrect Birthdate
YouTube automatically enables restricted mode if you have set your age under 18 on your Google account. To fix this, you have to go to ‘Personal Info’ from your Google account settings to update the date of birth.
Content Creators’ Age Restrictions
If you are a YouTuber, having age restrictions on your channel can be a direct result of it. Remember, videos flagged as age-restricted cannot be monetized through traditional ads, they won’t appear in search results or recommendations, and they cannot be embedded on external websites. If you think your videos are wrongly flagged, creators can appeal age restrictions. Yet this process can take several days and it’s YouTube’s review team who have the final say.
The video itself is age-restricted
This is the one most people miss. If Restricted Mode is already off and the video still shows a warning that the content may be inappropriate for some users, the restriction is on the video, not on your account. Sign in, then check that your Google account date of birth shows you as 18 or older. Signed-out viewing will always block these videos, no matter which settings you change.
Final Thoughts
Restricted Mode is useful when you want it and frustrating when you do not. Knowing which of the two problems you are facing, the filter or the flag, saves most of the time people waste on this. Indeed, the feature is useful for the younger audiences as well as for the public networks. Adults could also use this feature to their advantage to view the content they want without limitations. By following the methods we have given above, you can control your YouTube feed by personalizing it the way you want, no matter what device or platform you use.
We, at UnityFilms, know all the optimization tips that can be done by adjusting YouTube account settings. As a trusted YouTube management agency, we are capable of optimizing your channel setting, promoting engagement, and creating a winning content strategy.
You must allow our specialists to handle all the technical elements so that you can focus on other important tasks. We are your ultimate partner in YouTube success. So, feel free to take some burden off your shoulders by delegating your channel comprehensive management to UnityFilms.
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