Learn what to do if you’re trying to watch something on YouTube, but it’s not playing, as the video is age-restricted and considered inappropriate for underage users.
While most content on YouTube is not age-restricted, some mature or violent videos are. The person who uploads the video to YouTube can mark their video as age-restricted. Additionally, Google/YouTube can add this restriction if it thinks the video is unsuitable for underage people.
Types of error messages that appear
In most cases, one of these errors is shown on the YouTube video player:
- Sign in to confirm your age. This video may be inappropriate for some users.
- Video unavailable. This video is unavailable with Restricted Mode enabled. To view this video, you will need to disable Restricted Mode.
- This video is age-restricted and only available on YouTube. Learn more. Watch on YouTube.
Who sees these error messages
These error messages appear in the following situations:
- The user is under 18 years of age
- The user is not signed in to YouTube
- The age-restricted YouTube video is embedded on another website, and not being accessed on youtube.com
- Restricted mode is enabled
Also see: How to watch a YouTube video that’s unavailable in your country
How to watch age-restricted videos on YouTube
If you’re above 18 years of age, you can watch age-blocked videos with ease.
View the video on YouTube
If the age-restricted video is embedded on some website or app, simply tap/click the YouTube icon visible in the video player to reopen it on the official website (youtube.com) or the app.
In case you’re already signed in to your Google/YouTube account in the web browser or app, the video will start playing normally. If not, follow the remaining tips below.
Sign in with your Google account
As clear from the error message that YouTube shows you, all you need to do is sign in with your Google/YouTube account to watch the video. Signing in confirms to Google that an adult is viewing this mature video.
You can use your Gmail address and password to sign in. If you do not recall your Google/YouTube password, you can reset it easily.
Note that if you’re in a web browser on your phone, opening that video in the YouTube app (where you’re already signed in) should bypass the restriction.
Update your birthday
If you signed in with your Google account but still can’t watch the video, it could be because the birthday used in your Google account settings does not confirm your age is above 18.
To address this, you can add or update your birthday in account settings.
- Visit myaccount.google.com and make sure you are signed in.
- Go to the Personal info section.
- Tap the Birthday field and update it so your age, as of today, is over 18 years. If your birthday isn’t added, make sure you add it.
- Now, replay the YouTube video, and it should load. In case it doesn’t, consider waiting for a short while for the updated birthday information to propagate across Google services.
Turn off Restricted Mode
YouTube Restricted Mode is a simple switch that filters out mature videos. It works even when you’re not signed in to your Google/YouTube account. So, if you land on a YouTube video directly via a link and it says, “Video unavailable: This video is unavailable with Restricted Mode enabled,” simply turning off this feature will help.
In the app:
- Tap the You button and hit the gear icon from the top.
- Go to General and turn off the switch for Restricted Mode.
In computer browser:
- Click the three dots icon from the top right. If you’re signed in, click your profile picture instead.
- Select Restricted Mode and turn it off.
Once Restricted Mode is off, refresh the web page or tap the video card again and retry playing the video.
If the problem continues:
- Quit and reopen the browser or YouTube app.
- Restart your phone or computer.
- Wait for a short while if you have changed your birthday.
- Try another browser. If you are in the app, tap the share button to copy the link and open it in your phone browser. You will have to sign in with your Google account to go past the age restriction lock.
Bypass YouTube age restriction without signing in
The above tips are the only straightforward ways to view age-restricted YouTube videos. In addition to that, you may come across the following tips. However, note that there is no guarantee these workarounds will always work.
Note that we do not condone a minor person using these tips to watch a mature video.
Use a video downloader
A quick Google search should show several websites that let you save videos for offline playback when you enter the URL. Use one such service to download the age-restricted video if the previous tips have not worked for you.
Tweak the video URL
Replacing the watch?v= part of the URL with v/ may let you watch an age-restricted video without signing in.
So, if you’re in a web browser, the video URL will be something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks1CBTwtaU8
Simply replace watch?v= with v/, so the final URL for the above example becomes: https://www.youtube.com/v/ks1CBTwtaU8
Use a browser script
Start by installing Tampermonkey in your web browser. I’d recommend installing this in your secondary browser and not the main one where you access your banking and other sensitive services.
Next, install the “Simple YouTube Age Restriction Bypass” script from Greasy Fork in that browser.
With everything set up, quit and restart your web browser. Now, try accessing the age-restricted YouTube video, and it may work even when you’ve not signed it.
Use third-party YouTube clients
You can try watching the video on your computer using unofficial clients such as FreeTube. If you’re on an Android phone, you can test apps like NewPipe or SkyTube from F-Droid.
Note that these apps and services are not available on the official Microsoft, Apple, or Google Play Store. We do not recommend using these unless you really know what you’re doing. Plus, a regular person should not go through all these hoops to watch a YouTube video.
Which of the above solutions worked for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
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