How to Block YouTube on iPhone
By John, ScreenBuddy Founder
When trying to reduce screen time YouTube Shorts can be particularly challenging. Here are a few ways you can block youtube on iPhone. You can block YouTube on iPhone using Screen Time's App Limits, by removing the app and blocking reinstalls through Content Restrictions, or by using a third-party app blocker. Screen Time is the fastest option but has an easy bypass. Here's how each method works.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: How to Block YouTube on iPhone
Screen Time App Limits (fastest): Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Add Limit > Select YouTube > Set to 1 minute
Block reinstalls: Delete YouTube, then go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Set "Installing Apps" to Don't Allow
Block YouTube website too: Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Store, Media, Web, & Games > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites > Add youtube.com under "Never Allow"
Third-party blockers: Apps like ScreenBuddy, Opal, and Freedom offer stricter controls that are harder to bypass
Method 1: Block YouTube with Screen Time App Limits
The quickest way to block YouTube is setting a 1-minute daily limit through Screen Time. After one minute of use, the app grays out for the rest of the day.
Go to Settings > Screen Time
Tap App Limits, then Add Limit
Tap the Entertainment category, then select YouTube specifically
Set the time to 1 minute (the minimum allowed)
Toggle on Block at End of Limit
Tap Add
After your minute is up, YouTube shows a "Time Limit" screen. You can also search for YouTube directly by scrolling down instead of navigating through categories.
Best for: Quick setup when you want to limit YouTube without completely removing it.
Limitation: The "Ignore Limit" button lets you bypass the block with one tap. A Screen Time passcode helps, but if you set it yourself, you already know it.
Method 2: Delete YouTube and Block Reinstalls
If a 1-minute limit isn't enough, delete YouTube entirely and prevent yourself from reinstalling it.
Press and hold the YouTube app icon, then tap Remove App > Delete App
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions
Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions
Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases
Set Installing Apps to Don't Allow
The App Store icon disappears from your Home Screen. You can't download YouTube (or any app) until you reverse this setting.
Don't forget the browser: You can still watch YouTube through Safari at youtube.com. To close this loophole:
Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Store, Media, Web, & Games > Web Content
Select Limit Adult Websites
Under Never Allow, tap Add Website
Enter youtube.com
Add m.youtube.com as well (the mobile version)
Best for: People who've deleted YouTube before and reinstalled it within a week.
Limitation: If you know the Screen Time passcode, you can undo everything in 30 seconds. For a stronger block, have someone else set the passcode.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party App Blocker
If Screen Time's bypass button defeats you every time, third-party blockers offer stricter options.
Hard blockers like Opal and Freedom let you schedule sessions where YouTube is completely inaccessible. Their Strict Modes prevent you from ending a session early, even if you want to.
Friction-based blockers like ScreenBuddy and One Sec take a different approach. Instead of locking YouTube completely, they add a pause before you can open it. ScreenBuddy shows a 25-second countdown every time you tap YouTube, giving you a moment to ask whether you actually want to watch. This works better for many people because you're less likely to delete the blocker out of frustration.
Best for: People who've tried Screen Time limits and keep bypassing them.
Which Method Should You Choose?
If you want a quick limit: Use Screen Time App Limits with a 1-minute cap. It's free and takes two minutes to set up.
If you keep reinstalling YouTube: Delete the app and block the App Store. Add youtube.com and m.youtube.com to your blocked websites so you can't access it through Safari.
If you keep bypassing your own limits: Try a third-party blocker with Strict Mode, or use a friction-based app that makes you pause before opening YouTube.
Bottom Line
Screen Time works for casual YouTube limits, but if you keep hitting "Ignore Limit," you need something stricter. Deleting the app and blocking reinstalls is free and effective. If willpower still fails, a friction-based blocker can break the automatic habit of opening YouTube without making your phone feel unusable.
For more options beyond YouTube, see our complete guide to blocking apps on iPhone.
