How to Block YouTube on TV
Last reviewed: July 2026
Reviewed by: TVCP Product Team
Quick Answer
To block YouTube on Android TV, create a restricted profile and remove YouTube from its list of allowed apps.
On Google TV, create a kids profile and hide YouTube through Manage apps. Family Link may also let you block the app from a parent’s phone.
YouTube Restricted Mode does not block YouTube completely. It only helps filter some potentially mature content.
How to Block YouTube on Android TV
Android TV uses a restricted profile to limit access to selected apps.
- Open Settings on your Android TV.
- Scroll to Personal.
- Select Security & Restrictions.
- Select Create restricted profile.
- Create a PIN your child does not know.
- Review the list of installed apps.
- Make sure YouTube is not allowed.
- Select Enter restricted profile.
Your child will only be able to use the apps you included in the restricted profile.
Menu names may vary depending on the television manufacturer and Android TV version.
How to Block YouTube on Google TV
Google TV uses kids profiles instead of Android TV restricted profiles.
- Select your profile picture on the Google TV home screen.
- Choose Add account.
- Select Add a kid.
- Create or select the child’s profile.
- Open All settings.
- Go to Accounts & Profiles.
- Select the child’s profile.
- Select Manage apps.
- Hide or disable YouTube for that profile.
- Turn on the kids profile lock.
Google TV lets parents choose which apps children can use. Family Link can also block or unblock some apps associated with the child’s Google TV profile.
Limitations of the Standard Method
Restricted Mode does not block YouTube
Restricted Mode is a content filter. It helps screen out some potentially mature content, but it does not prevent a child from opening the app.
To block YouTube completely, remove or hide the app from the child’s restricted or kids profile.
Children may switch profiles
App restrictions only work while the child is using the restricted or kids profile.
Parents should protect profile switching with a PIN or adult password. Otherwise, a child may be able to open an unrestricted profile.
Android TV changes must be made on the TV
The Android TV restricted profile is configured directly on the television. To block or unblock YouTube later, a parent generally needs the TV remote and restricted-profile PIN.
Google TV controls are divided between different places
Google TV app access may be managed through the kids profile or Family Link. YouTube Kids and supervised YouTube accounts have separate controls.
This means parents may need to move between:
- Google TV settings;
- Family Link;
- YouTube settings;
- YouTube Kids settings.
Other smart TVs use different systems
Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV have their own app and parental-control settings.
The instructions in this guide apply specifically to Android TV and Google TV.
Compare Built-in Controls with TVCP
| Feature | Built-in Android TV | Built-in Google TV | TVCP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block the YouTube app | Yes, by excluding it from a restricted profile | Yes, by hiding it from a kids profile | Yes, from the parent’s phone |
| Block or unblock YouTube remotely | No. Changes are made on the TV | Partly, through Family Link for some profiles | Yes, through TVCP Guardian |
| Set TV screen-time limits | Not included in restricted-profile controls | Available on compatible kids profiles and configured on the TV | Yes, managed from the phone |
| Lock the whole TV remotely | No | No. The profile lock only protects profile switching | Yes |
| Set a sleep timer | Not included as a parental-control feature | Bedtime is available on compatible kids profiles | Yes, from the phone |
| Change rules from another room | No | Limited | Yes |
| Protect parental settings | Restricted-profile PIN | Adult Google Account PIN or password | Protected TVCP settings |
| Best suited for | Fixed app restrictions | A regular child profile and schedule | Flexible daily management from a parent’s phone |
Block YouTube from Your Phone with TVCP
TVCP connects an Android TV or Google TV device with TVCP Guardian on a parent’s Android or iOS phone.
Parents can use their phone to:
- Block or unblock YouTube.
- Block other selected TV apps.
- Set TV screen-time limits.
- Lock or unlock the television remotely.
- Set a sleep timer.
- Protect parental-control settings.
The main advantage is that parents do not need to go to the television every time YouTube access needs to change.
For example, you can block YouTube before homework, unlock it for approved viewing, or lock the TV when screen time ends—all from another room.
How to set up TVCP
- Go to tvcp.app.
- Install TVCP Guardian on the parent’s Android or iOS phone.
- Install TVCP on the Android TV or Google TV device.
- Pair the phone and television.
- Select YouTube and configure the required access rules.
TVCP supports Android TV and Google TV.
It does not support Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Apple TV, Roku, or Fire TV.
Visit TVCP to connect your phone and television and manage YouTube access more easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely block YouTube on Android TV?
Yes. Create a restricted profile and exclude YouTube from its list of allowed apps.
Can I block YouTube on Google TV?
Yes. Create a kids profile, open Manage apps, and hide YouTube. Family Link may also let you block the app for the child’s profile.
Does Restricted Mode block YouTube?
No. Restricted Mode filters some potentially mature content. It does not prevent users from opening the YouTube app.
Can I block YouTube on my TV from my phone?
Family Link provides some app management for Google TV child profiles. TVCP allows parents to block or unblock YouTube on a paired Android TV or Google TV through TVCP Guardian.
Can I block individual YouTube channels?
Standard Android TV and Google TV app restrictions block or allow the entire YouTube app. YouTube Kids provides separate options for blocking or approving content, depending on the account setup.
Can I set a time limit for YouTube on Android TV?
The standard Android TV restricted profile does not include an individual YouTube time limit. TVCP can combine YouTube blocking with TV screen-time limits on supported devices.
Does TVCP work on Samsung or LG TVs?
No. TVCP supports Android TV and Google TV. It does not support Samsung Tizen or LG webOS.
Conclusion
The most reliable built-in way to block YouTube is to remove it from an Android TV restricted profile or hide it from a Google TV kids profile.
Restricted Mode is useful for filtering content, but it does not block the app completely.
For parents who want to block YouTube, change access, set screen-time limits, or lock the television remotely from their phone, TVCP provides a more flexible option.
Visit TVCP to manage YouTube access on your family’s Android TV or Google TV from your phone.
Useful Links
- Official Android TV guide: Block specific apps or games
- Official Google TV guide: Kids profiles and app controls
- Official Family Link guide for Google TV
- Official YouTube guide: Restricted Mode
- Official YouTube Kids parental-control guide
- How to Set Parental Controls on Android TV
- TVCP parental controls for Android TV and Google TV