How to Block YouTube Channels on Mobile App (2026 Guide)

Can You Block Channels on the YouTube Mobile App?

Short answer: Not really. The YouTube app for Android and iPhone offers only one blocking-related feature: "Don't recommend channel." This hides a channel from your recommendations feed, but it has significant limitations:

• Search still works — Your child can search for the channel and find it
• Direct links work — Shared links from friends open the "blocked" channel
• No password protection — Anyone can undo the block in seconds
• No cross-device sync — Blocks only apply to one device

Unlike desktop browsers where extensions can truly block channels, mobile apps don't support extensions. This leaves parents with few native options — but there are effective workarounds using parental control apps.

Android App Instructions: How to Hide Channels

Here's how to use YouTube's built-in "Don't recommend channel" feature on Android:

Method 1: From Any Video

1. Open the YouTube app on your Android phone or tablet
2. Find a video from the channel you want to hide
3. Tap the three vertical dots next to the video title
4. Select "Don't recommend channel"
5. The channel will no longer appear in your Home feed or recommendations

Method 2: From the Channel Page

1. Go to the channel's YouTube page by tapping the channel name
2. Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner
3. Select "Don't recommend channel"

To Undo This Setting:

1. Open YouTube and tap your profile picture
2. Go to Settings > General
3. Scroll to find "Clear 'Don't recommend channel' preferences"
4. This removes ALL your hidden channels at once

Important: There's no way to undo individual channels — it's all or nothing. And since there's no password protection, your child can clear these preferences themselves.

iOS App Instructions: How to Hide Channels on iPhone/iPad

The YouTube app on iPhone and iPad works nearly identically to Android:

Step-by-Step for iOS:

1. Open the YouTube app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Locate a video from the channel you want to hide
3. Tap the three dots menu next to the video
4. Choose "Don't recommend channel"
5. Future videos from this channel won't appear in recommendations

iOS-Specific Considerations:

• Screen Time integration — You can use iOS Screen Time to limit YouTube app usage, but not block specific channels
• No extensions possible — Safari extensions don't work within the YouTube app
• Family Sharing limitations — Apple's parental controls can restrict the YouTube app entirely, but can't filter specific channels

The iOS YouTube app gives you even less control than Android. Apple's sandboxing prevents third-party apps from modifying YouTube's behavior from within the app.

Limitations of Mobile Blocking

Let's be honest about what YouTube's mobile app cannot do:

What "Don't Recommend Channel" Doesn't Do:

The Core Problem:

Mobile apps are "walled gardens." Unlike desktop browsers where you can install extensions to modify YouTube's behavior, the YouTube mobile app controls everything. Google has chosen not to include robust parental blocking features — likely because it would reduce engagement and ad revenue.

This is why parents need third-party solutions that work outside the YouTube app — solutions that control access at the account or network level.

Using WhitelistVideo Mobile Dashboard

WhitelistVideo solves the mobile blocking problem with a different approach: instead of trying to block bad channels one by one, you approve only the channels you want your child to access.

How the Parent Dashboard App Works:

1. Download the parent app on your phone (Android or iOS)
2. Install the browser extension on your child's devices
3. Create your whitelist — add channels like National Geographic Kids, educational creators, or family-approved entertainment
4. Everything else is blocked — if a channel isn't on your approved list, your child can't access it

Mobile Dashboard Features:

• Real-time control — Add or remove channels from your phone, anywhere
• Instant sync — Changes apply immediately to all connected devices
• Access requests — Children can request new channels; you approve from your phone
• Activity visibility — See which channels your child is watching
• No physical access needed — Manage everything remotely

Why This Works Better Than Native Blocking:

Instead of playing whack-a-mole with millions of potentially inappropriate channels, you start from zero and only add what you've vetted. Unknown channels are blocked by default.

Syncing Blocks Across Devices

Modern kids use multiple devices: a phone, a tablet, maybe a laptop at school, and a family computer at home. YouTube's native blocking doesn't sync — you'd have to configure each device separately.

The Multi-Device Challenge:

• Block a channel on the phone? Still accessible on the tablet.
• Set up restrictions on one browser? Doesn't apply to another browser.
• Configure parental controls at home? Useless on school WiFi.

How WhitelistVideo Syncs Everything:

1. One parent account controls all devices
2. Child profiles link to specific devices
3. Whitelist is stored in the cloud — not on individual devices
4. Any change you make applies everywhere within seconds

This means you can approve a new channel while at work, and your child can access it on their tablet at home immediately. No need to wait until you're home to update each device manually.

Devices That Support Sync:

• Desktop/Laptop — Chrome browser extension
• Android — Through the WhitelistVideo app (coming soon: direct mobile browser support)
• iOS — Through Safari content restrictions and the WhitelistVideo app
• Chromebook — Chrome browser extension with managed account

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block YouTube channels on my child's phone without them knowing?

YouTube's native "Don't recommend channel" feature is visible and easily reversed. For discreet control, use WhitelistVideo. The extension works quietly in the background — non-approved channels simply don't load. There's no obvious "blocked" message that prompts children to find workarounds.

What's the difference between blocking on mobile app vs. mobile browser?

The YouTube app has minimal blocking features (just "Don't recommend channel"). The mobile browser version of YouTube can work with some content filtering solutions. WhitelistVideo works best when children access YouTube through a browser rather than the native app — this gives parents more control.

Can my child bypass mobile YouTube blocking?

YouTube's native features are easily bypassed — your child can clear preferences, use a different account, or use incognito mode. WhitelistVideo is harder to bypass because blocking happens at the account and browser level, not within YouTube's settings. Even if a child uses incognito, the extension still filters content.

Should I use YouTube Kids instead of blocking channels?

YouTube Kids is good for children under 8, but older kids often resist it. The content library is limited, and many popular educational creators aren't on YouTube Kids. WhitelistVideo lets you use the full YouTube platform while still controlling exactly which channels are accessible — the best of both worlds.

Take Action: Secure Your Child's Mobile YouTube

YouTube's mobile app gives parents almost no control over what their children can watch. "Don't recommend channel" is a band-aid, not a solution. Here's your action plan:

Today:

• Use "Don't recommend channel" on obviously problematic content — it's better than nothing
• Disable the YouTube app and have your child use the mobile browser instead (more controllable)

This Week:

• Download the WhitelistVideo parent app on your phone
• Install the browser extension on your child's devices
• Create a whitelist of 10-20 approved channels to start

Ongoing:

• Review access requests from your child when they want new channels
• Add vetted channels as you discover quality content
• Monitor viewing patterns through the parent dashboard

Don't wait for your child to stumble onto inappropriate content. WhitelistVideo offers a free tier so you can test the whitelist approach on mobile today. Take control of your child's YouTube experience across all their devices.