8 Safe, Easy Ways to Bypass Age Restrictions on YouTube Videos (2024)

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Written byMegaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: January 27, 2023

Things You Should Know

1. See Also

   8 Safe, Easy Ways to Bypass Age Restrictions on YouTube VideosHow to Watch Flagged YouTube Videos Without Logging In9 Ways To Easily Bypass YouTube Age RestrictionSimple YouTube Age Restriction Bypass

   The easiest method is to sign in with an adult Google account. Whether your YouTube account is under 18 or you just want to watch the video anonymously without using your main account, creating a new Google/YouTube account is the simplest way to get past age restrictions. There's no limit to the number of YouTube accounts you can create, and if you live in the US, you can sign up with any name and age you'd like.

   • If you're in the United States, you won't be asked to supply an ID to verify your age. However, many countries have stricter age requirements for creating Google accounts.^[1]
   • If you're creating a new account in Europe or another region with age restrictions on Google accounts, you'll be asked to prove your age with a credit card or government-issued ID.^[2] You can avoid this by signing up from a US-based IP address, such as through a VPN (a free trial will do the trick) or the Tor web browser.
   • If you're using a computer, phone, or tablet with parental restrictions and can't create a new Google account, you can do so from any other computer, phone, or tablet.

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Use a proxy service.

1. Proxy websites reroute the video through a server with no restrictions. However, use caution when trying out these services. If you’re concerned about privacy, look for a proxy service that encrypts your traffic so nobody else can see what you’re watching. This way, you can privately watch age-restricted videos and other blocked content without having to sign in.

   • Some services, such as NordVPN, ProxySite, and Stop Censoring Me offer encrypted proxies. Many of these services are free to use.
   • In many cases, all you need to do is open the proxy website and copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video into the appropriate text box on the website.

Install the TamperMonkey browser extension and a Greasyfork script.

1. This method may let you bypass age restrictions without signing in. To watch restricted videos without a Google account, try installing the TamperMonkey extension in Chrome. Then, download and install the Simple YouTube Age Restriction Bypass script here: https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/423851-simple-youtube-age-restriction-bypass.

   • This will allow you to get around the restriction by automatically sending your traffic through a private proxy server.

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1. You can watch some YouTube videos by adding “NSFW” to the URL. To do this, simply insert the letters “NSFW” before “youtube” in the video’s address. The first part of the video’s address will now look like nsfwyoutube.com instead of just youtube.com. Hit ↵ Enter to navigate to the new address and watch the video there without restrictions. However, if you try this method, be aware:

   • Websites like NSFWYouTube may display aggressive popup ads or try to install malware on your computer. Make sure you have a good adblocker and security software installed before trying this method.
   • This technique might not work for every age-restricted video. If it doesn’t, try replacing the “youtube.com” part of the URL with “listenonrepeat.com” instead. Keep in mind that this method is also not completely reliable.

1. This is a good option if you want to watch age-restricted videos offline. However, many of the most popular downloaders can no longer get around YouTube’s age restrictions. A couple of options that may still work are AceThinker Video Keeper (a free desktop application) and 4K Video Downloader (a subscription-based app for desktop computers and Android devices).

   • Some of these downloaders, such as 4K Video Downloader, bypass age restrictions by having you log in via the app rather than directly through the YouTube website. This means you will still need an 18+ Google account to download the content. However, once you have the video, you can watch it any time you like without limitations.

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Turn off content restrictions in the YouTube app.

1. This method only works if you’re signed in. If you have an 18+ Google account but you’re still not able to view age-restricted videos, it’s possible that you have Restricted Mode turned on. To disable restricted mode and view all content on YouTube:^[3]

   • If you’re on an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, open the YouTube app and log in if you haven’t already. Tap your profile picture at the top right, tap Settings, then select General. Touch the toggle button next to Restricted Mode to turn it off or on.
   • On a desktop computer, visit http://www.youtube.com and sign in if you haven’t already. Click your profile picture in the top right side of the window, then click Restricted Mode at the bottom of the screen. Click Activate Restricted Mode in the box that opens up to turn Restricted Mode off or on.

Be aware that many popular methods no longer work.

1. YouTube’s content restrictions are becoming harder to bypass. There’s currently a lot of outdated information online about this topic. As of June 2022, the following methods for bypassing YouTube age restrictions have stopped working or become a lot less reliable:

   • Replacing the “watch?v=” part of the video URL with “embed/”.
   • Using a third-party client, such as NewPipe, FreeTube, VLC Media Player, or Invidious, to watch age-restricted YouTube videos.
   • Downloading age-restricted videos onto your device (although there may still be a few downloaders that can bypass the restrictions).

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Use safety precautions when trying these methods.

1. Some methods for bypassing YouTube’s age restrictions are risky. For example, many free proxy servers can put your personal data at risk. If possible, use a reputable paid VPN that offers an encrypted proxy service.^[4] Similarly, be careful watching YouTube videos through third-party websites or downloadable clients. Install good security software and do your research on the website or app before using it.

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