YouTube is one of the most popular websites, and Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers. This article will show in detail how to block YouTube on Chrome without extension or with one on Mac, Windows, Android, Chromebook and iPhone.
YouTube videos can be entertaining but distracting. Some YouTube videos are age inappropriate. Blocking access to YouTube website helps you reduce distractions or keep your child away from inappropriate videos. Below is how to restrict YouTube access on Chrome browser:
Cisdem AppCrypt
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later 
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
To easily block YouTube on the Chrome browser on your MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or iMac etc., you can use Cisdem AppCrypt, the best website blocker and app locker for macOS.
1. Download this YouTube blocker for Chrome and install it.
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
2. When you open it for the first time, set a password.
3. From the top menu bar, click its icon and choose Open Main Window. Enter the password.
4. In the main window, choose the Web Block tab.
5. To block youtube.com on Chrome, enter youtube.com and click the Add button.
Now YouTube is blocked on Google Chrome and Safari, etc. permanently unless you unblock it. When you or someone else tries to open it on Chrome or other browsers on this Mac, the following message will appear.
The blocking is implemented whether you are in the normal browsing mode or the incognito mode.
1. Open AppCrypt’s main window, which requires the password.
2. Click Web Block.
3. Select YouTube by clicking it.
4. Right-click it and select Remove.
Also, you are allowed to temporarily disable or enable the blocking of YouTube (and other unwanted sites) by clicking Disable Web Block (which requires the password) or Enable Web Block.
Tip 1. Block YouTube on Google Chrome for some time (rather than permanently)
If you want to restrict YouTube access only during certain hours, this YouTube blocker’s Schedule feature can help. Under the Web Block tab, select YouTube and click the clock icon next to it. Enable Custom Schedule and click Add Schedule to create a recurring schedule by specifying the specific times of the day and days of the week. It’s possible to create multiple schedules.
This way, you can easily block YouTube only during school hours, or allow YouTube access only during some weekend hours. It’s very flexible and customizable.
Tip 2. Block YouTube channel on Google Chrome
If you only want to make certain channels inaccessible, then Click Web Block on the main window and enter the URLs of the unwanted channels to the Block list.
Tip 3. Block everything online except the allowed content
AppCrypt allows users to block all websites on the Internet except approved ones. To do that, enable the Block all websites button on the bottom left corner. Add certain sites that you allow to the Always Allow list. This way, you can completely keep away YouTube and undesirable videos (such as distracting, mature, explicit or violent videos).
Get AppCrypt to effortlessly block or limit access to sites and apps!
If you spend most of your computer time browsing YouTube aimlessly, or if you are often distracted by YouTube while working at your computer, you will benefit from making YouTube inaccessible on Google Chrome on your computer. Windows users can use AppCrypt for this purpose.
1. Download and install AppCrypt.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
2. The first time you open it, set a password.
3. Click its icon on the taskbar. Or, right-click the icon and choose Open Main Window.
4. Enter the password to access the main window.
5. Click the Web Block tab. Install the Chrome extension when prompted.
6. Under the Web Block tab, enter youtube.com in the URL field and click Add.
In step 6, you can also click the Import button and choose Video Sites. This way, all popular video websites including YouTube will be added to block.
Now Chrome won’t be able to open YouTube. You can use the same method to block other unwanted websites on your computer.
If you want to also make YouTube inaccessible in the incognito mode, you need to allow the extension in Incognito in step 5.
To learn more, please read these three tips.
Above is how to block YouTube on Chrome desktop without extension. Now let’s talk about Android devices.
You can watch YouTube videos on Android on the mobile version of youtube.com or on the YouTube app. If you spend a lot of time watching YouTube videos on Chrome for Android and want to stop your YouTube addiction, just block the site.
1. On your Android phone or tablet, open Play Store.
2. Install an app called AppBlock - Stay Focused.
3. Tap the plus icon.
4. Now create a blocking profile for YouTube. Tap Select and then Time. To block YouTube site permanently, set the blocking to be applied for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tap Save.
5. Tap Select under the Blocked apps & websites section and add youtube.com. Tap Save.
6. Toggle the Websites option to on.
7. Enter a name for this profile, say, Block YouTube. Tap Create.
Now YouTube is not available on Google Chrome and any other browser on your device.
How do you restrict YouTube access on Chrome on your Chromebook? The easiest answer is to use a YouTube blocker extension. But what if you are not a fan of extensions? Here’s a useful workaround.
1. On your Chrome OS device, go to Settings.
2. On the left, click Apps.
3. Click the Turn on button next to Google Play Store.
4. Click Accept on the Google Play apps and services screen.
5. On the Chromebook shelf, click the Google Play icon to launch it.
6. Now you can access and install Android apps on your Chromebook. Look for a site blocker app compatible with Chrome OS.
7. Install the app and set it to block YouTube access.
If you are an iPhone or iPad user and need to stop your YouTube addiction, you can try making YouTube inaccessible on Chrome browser. It’s easy to do, and you don’t even need to look for a YouTube blocker. The solution is built in to iOS and iPadOS.
1. On your iPhone running iOS 12, iOS 13, iOS 14 or iOS 15, iOS 16, go to Settings.
2. Tap Screen Time and then Turn On Screen Time.
3. Tap This is My iPhone if it’s yours. If not, tap the other option.
4. Tap Use Screen Time Passcode. Set a passcode. If you are restricting YouTube for yourself rather than your child, you can ask a trusted person to set the passcode for you, making the blocking hard to bypass.
5. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and then turn on the restrictions on.
6. Tap Content Restrictions and then Web Content.
7. By default, this iPhone allows unrestricted access to web content on Google Chrome and other browsers. Now, select Limit Adult Websites.
8. Tap Add Website under Never Allow, type the URL of YouTube site and tap done.
With this method, in addition to YouTube, Chrome for iPhone or iPad will also automatically disable access to websites that Apple considers inappropriate.
When it comes to blocking a website on Google Chrome browser, the first thing that comes to many people’s minds is using Chrome extensions. There are YouTube blocker extensions available, which are handy to install and use.
However, there is a disadvantage. One can easily get around blocked YouTube by removing the installed extension from Chrome browser.
I use an extension called Block Site to show you how such extensions work. This one is very easy to use and understand.
1. On your Windows, Chromebook or Mac computer, go to the Chrome Web Store.
2. Install Block Site offered by Jorvi.
3. Open YouTube on your Chrome desktop. Right-click and then choose Block this domain.
If you try to visit youtube.com on Chrome, you will see the “youtube.com is blocked” message.
To unblock youtube.com, right-click the extension’s icon in Chrome’s toolbar, choose Options, and click the Delete icon next to YouTube.
By default, the blocking will only apply to the standard browsing mode. You are also allowed to enable the blocking in the incognito mode.
Some users don’t want to block YouTube completely on Chrome but instead block a certain YouTube channel. Some YouTube channels may have content that does not match personal interests and preferences, or that is not suitable for kids. And some channels may publish a large number of advertisements, spam or low-quality content, affecting user's browsing experience. To block these YouTube channels:
1. Sign in your YouTube account on Chrome.
2. Visit the YouTube channel you want to block.
3. Hover your mouse over the title of a video from this channel.
4. Click the 3-dot icon that shows up.
5. Choose “Don’t recommend channel” option from the drop down menu.
By following the steps above, you will no longer see content from this channel.
YouTube Restricted Mode is a built-in setting on YouTube designed to filter out mature or potentially dangerous content that are not suitable for younger audiences. Parents can enable this mode on kids account.
1. Open YouTube on Chrome browser and sign in.
2. Click the profile picture in the upper right corner of the page and select "Restricted Mode: Off".
3. Toggle the Restricted Mode on.
You can block YouTube images, turn off notifications and mute the sound on Google Chrome browser.
1. Visit YouTube websites on Chrome.
2. Click the lock icon in the address bar.
3. Select “Site Settings”.
4. Scroll down to find Notifications, Images, Sound and more that you want to block. Select “Block” or “Mute”.
YouTube has been age-restricted certain content for years in order to make YouTube a safe place for kids, teens and young adults. Despite YouTube’s efforts, there are still mature, violent, explicit and other inappropriate videos. That’s why many parents want to completely block access to YouTube site on browsers like Google Chrome and to the YouTube app.
YouTube is on the list of the biggest workplace distractions. No wonder companies want to disable YouTube access on work computers for the sake of productivity. Many schools in the USA and the UK have already blocked YouTube on school-issued devices or their network, which makes this video-sharing site not available.
This article talks about how to block YouTube on Chrome desktop and mobile. I hope it’s helpful. YouTube doesn’t have a desktop app. The only way to access YouTube videos on computer is to use the website. Therefore, computer users only need to make youtube.com not accessible. Mobile users may also need to limit access to the YouTube app.
Rosa has worked in Mac software industry for more than eight years. She believes that the purpose of software is to make life better and work more productively. In addition to writing, Rosa is also an avid runner.
Wolf-D. Schoepe
Just want to get over my YouTube addiction. it works for me, thanks.