What Restricted Mode Does and How to Turn It Off

Restricted Mode is a YouTube filter that hides videos YouTube's systems flag as potentially mature. When it is on, you cannot watch certain videos even if they are public, and you cannot see comments on any video. Turning it off takes one click if you are signed in, or a few more steps if you are not.

The filter exists mainly for shared devices — schools, libraries, workplaces — where one person's viewing should not affect what others see. If you are on your own device and want to see all available videos, you can disable it yourself. YouTube remembers your choice on that browser and device.

Key Takeaways

  • Restricted Mode is a filter that hides videos YouTube flags as mature; turning it off requires you to be signed into your YouTube account.
  • The setting lives at the very bottom of the YouTube page in a menu labeled "Restricted Mode: On" — look for it before scrolling back up.
  • If you are not signed in, you must create or log into a Google account first, because YouTube only saves Restricted Mode settings for logged-in users.
  • Restricted Mode applies per browser and device, so turning it off on your phone does not turn it off on your laptop.
  • Some networks (schools, workplaces) may lock Restricted Mode on at the router level, in which case you cannot disable it from YouTube itself.

Disable Restricted Mode When You Are Signed In

Open YouTube in any browser and sign in with your Google account if you are not already. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page — past the video recommendations, past the footer links. At the very bottom right, you will see a toggle or button that says "Restricted Mode: On".

Click that button. It will change to "Restricted Mode: Off" when ready. YouTube will no longer filter videos on that browser. The setting sticks to your account on that device, so the next time you visit YouTube from the same browser, Restricted Mode stays off.

Disable Restricted Mode on the YouTube App

Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap "Settings" from the menu that appears. Scroll down and tap "General".

Look for the option labeled "Restricted Mode" — it will show as either "On" or "Off". Tap it to toggle it to "Off". The change takes effect when ready. If you do not see a Restricted Mode option in Settings, you may not be signed in; sign in with your Google account first and the option will appear.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the Setting

If you are signed in but do not see "Restricted Mode: On" at the bottom of the YouTube page, you may be using a very old browser or a browser that does not fully support YouTube. Try a different browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all work. Open YouTube, sign in, and look at the bottom of the page again.

If you are on a school or work network and Restricted Mode will not turn off, the network itself may have locked the setting. This is done at the router or firewall level, not in YouTube. You would need to ask your school or workplace IT department to unlock it, or use a personal network (like your phone's hotspot) to access YouTube without the restriction.

Why Restricted Mode Stays On Even After You Turn It Off

Restricted Mode is tied to your Google account and the specific browser you use. If you sign out and sign back in on the same browser, the setting stays as you left it. But if you use a different browser, open an incognito or private window, or use a different device, Restricted Mode may be back on by default.

To keep it off everywhere you use YouTube, you need to turn it off in each browser and on each device separately. If you share a device with someone else and they turn Restricted Mode back on, you will need to turn it off again — the last person to change the setting is the one whose preference sticks.

Restricted Mode on Shared Devices

If you share a computer or tablet with family members, roommates, or colleagues, understand that only one Restricted Mode setting can be active at a time for each browser. If you turn it off and someone else turns it back on, their setting overwrites yours.

The best solution for a truly shared device is to create separate user accounts on the device itself (not just separate YouTube accounts). Each user account can have its own browser settings, so one person's Restricted Mode choice does not affect another's. On Windows, create a separate user account in Settings. On Mac, do the same in System Preferences under Users and Groups. On phones and tablets, most devices do not support multiple user accounts, so you may need to use separate browsers or accept that the setting will be shared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off Restricted Mode let me upload videos YouTube would normally block?

No. Restricted Mode only controls what you can watch, not what you can upload. YouTube's upload rules stay the same whether Restricted Mode is on or off. Videos that violate YouTube's policies will be rejected or removed regardless of your Restricted Mode setting.

Will turning off Restricted Mode affect my recommendations or search results?

Yes, slightly. With Restricted Mode off, YouTube will show you videos it previously filtered out. Your recommendations may include more mature content, and search results will be less filtered. Your watch history and likes still work the same way.

Can I turn off Restricted Mode without signing in?

No. YouTube only saves Restricted Mode settings for signed-in users. If you are not signed in, you cannot change the setting, and it will reset each time you close your browser. You must create or log into a Google account first.

What if my parent or guardian turned on Restricted Mode and I cannot turn it off?

If you are using a supervised account (a child account linked to a parent's Google account), your parent controls Restricted Mode and you cannot change it. Your parent would need to adjust the setting from their own account in Google Family Link. If it is your own account, you should be able to turn it off; if you cannot, ask the account owner to help.

Does Restricted Mode work the same way on all devices?

The setting works the same way, but it is separate on each device and browser. Turning it off on your laptop does not turn it off on your phone, your tablet, or a different browser on the same laptop. You must change the setting on each one individually.