If you want to access all content available on YouTube, including gaming streams and news bulletins, you may need to turn off Restricted Mode.
Although Restricted Mode is crucial for setting up suitable parental controls on platforms such as Google Assistant, you may want to disable it at some point.
We will guide you through the process of turning off Restricted Mode on desktop browsers, Android and iOS apps, and Google TV.
Additionally, if you frequently use YouTube on your favorite streaming device, you can adjust the settings for each user to your preference.
What does YouTube’s Restricted Mode do?
When a YouTuber uploads a video, he/she has several options.
To avoid having their videos deleted, they should adhere to communal standards.
When developing the content for their online platforms, these companies are required to classify it as mature if it involves explicit scenes that have the potential to contain an element of hatred or sexual content material within.
As a result, the video will be restricted from being recommended to viewers and they cannot like, comment, or view it.
The optional service was in restricted mode in 2010. It cannot be enabled by default but may be provided to users of devices supplied in public institutions, like schools and libraries.
For instance, in cases of public internet connections, a network administrator can even configure Restricted Mode on their own.
Changing the settings can only be achieved manually by the account supervisor only if there is a linkage to Family Link and your Google account is disabled.
Is Restricted Mode the same as age restrictions on YouTube?
Two separate specialties on YouTube include age restrictions and Restricted Mode. Age-gated videos cannot be watched until sign-in, and age verification proves that someone is over eighteen years old.
An account verification opens access to other people’s videos marked as restricted for certain age groups.
In contrast, turning on Restricted Mode filters out videos with inappropriate content such as:
- suggestive themes
- illegal drugs
- violence
- profanity
- dangers for minors.
Users or moderators may also flag them for age restriction and send the creators warnings.
Restricted mode differs in a manner that some videos are blocked for everybody as opposed to until one’s account is certified to be that of an adult.
How to turn off Restricted Mode on your Chromebook, Mac, or PC
To turn off Restricted Mode on YouTube, follow these steps:
- To turn off the Restricted Mode on your YouTube account, you need to follow these steps:
Open YouTube and log in to your account first.
- Then, you need to click your profile picture situated at the top right-hand side.
- At the side of the menu choose ‘Restricted mode’.
- Turn off the activated restricted mode slider.
- When you open, click ‘unlock restricted mode’ at the bottom of the menu if this setting has been enabled before.
- To disable the Restricted Mode option, you will be required to confirm your password.
After that, you should update and it should apply to all the devices you are logged in.
How to turn off Restricted Mode on iPad, iPhone, and Android phones and tablets
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Tap on your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings in the menu.
- Choose Account.
- Click the slider bar to Restricted Mode; once you do, the bar turns gray.
You can now easily turn off Restricted Mode on YouTube through Android TV, giving you access to all of YouTube’s content.
How to turn off Restricted Mode on Android TV
- Select Apps from the home screen.
- Locate the YouTube application.
- Scroll down to the Settings option and select it.
- Click either Safety Mode or Restricted Mode.
- Click off
How to turn off Restricted Mode on YouTube by a network administrator
If you find that Restricted Mode is enabled on your device, it could be due to the network administrator, who manages your network, having configured it that way.
However, if you are using a private network at home, your router’s DNS settings, installed browser add-ons, or cookies may be causing the issue. To check and adjust your settings, follow these steps.
- Click the three-dot button in the upper-right corner of the browser.
- Select Settings in the menu.
- Select Extensions at the bottom of the left menu
- Tap the blue sliders on the add-ons and turn them gray
- Go to More tools in your Chrome browser settings to clear your browser cache in Privacy and Security.
- Select Clear browsing data
- Select it for all time
- Ensure the SafeSearch feature that Google Chrome provides in the Search Settings is turned off.
- In the lower-left corner of Google, you will find the Settings option.
- Select Search Settings
- Check the box for turning off SafeSearch
- Ensure that your firewall and router do not have any parental controls that would override your YouTube settings.
To turn off Restricted Mode on YouTube, follow these steps:
In case the above-said does not work, it may be necessary to use a VPN to go around the blocks.
Nevertheless, in case you are using a mobile phone at a school or public site is likely to have Restricted Mode that cannot be circumvented.
However, it is set by your Wi-Fi connection provider, not your account. However, if you want to see what your settings are, here’s how.
Staying safe on YouTube
Using separate youtube accounts with powerful unpredictable passwords is a much stronger security measure compared to restricted mode only.
Supervised accounts for children will help prevent them from watching unnecessary and unrestricted videos.
You may specify different settings for Restricted Mode and other related controls when you are operating multiple user accounts.
For instance, it is possible to turn off Restricted Mode on the parent profile but leave it on for the child’s profile. Consequently, your kid will be able to watch filtered versions of everything you can see on this site.
Moreover, separate login credentials safeguard access to unsuitable material through only a single password.
A child can still log in the parent’s account and disable it if depending solely on Restricted mode.
Conclusion
Restricted Mode can be disabled if one knows how to find it.
However, network-level controls might force it to remain on in which case you will need a VPN and a different network for complete YouTube access.
Therefore, this is the best way, which integrate account-specific configuration, close surveillance over children, and network-based restriction, if needed.