How to protect your child's iPhone or iPad with WhitelistVideo
Set up WhitelistVideo on your child's iOS device to filter YouTube content. The app provides a safe, filtered YouTube experience where children can only watch videos from your approved channels.
What does WhitelistVideo for iOS do?
The WhitelistVideo iOS app is a safe YouTube viewer for your child's iPhone or iPad. It:
- Provides a filtered YouTube experience inside the app
- Only shows videos from channels you've approved
- Blocks access to unapproved content with a friendly message
- Lets your child request new channels for your approval
- Syncs with your parent account in real-time
- With FamilyControls: Blocks YouTube system-wide in Safari, Chrome, and all browsers — plus shields the YouTube app, TikTok, and other apps
Recommended: Enable FamilyControls for system-wide protection. With FamilyControls, WhitelistVideo blocks YouTube across all browsers and can shield apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at the iOS system level. Set up FamilyControls →
Without FamilyControls: The app filters YouTube within its own player only. You'll need to configure Screen Time manually to block YouTube in Safari and prevent app deletion. If another parental control app already has Screen Time access, see resolving conflicts.
What devices are compatible with WhitelistVideo?
- iPhone running iOS 15 or later
- iPad running iOS 15 or later
What do I need to set up WhitelistVideo on iOS?
- Your child's iPhone or iPad
- A WhitelistVideo parent account (create one at app.whitelist.video (opens in a new tab))
- Access to the Parents' App on your phone
- About 5 minutes for setup
How to set up WhitelistVideo on your child's iPhone or iPad
Quick start steps
- Install the app from the App Store on your child's device
- Activate the app using a code from your Parents' App
- Enable FamilyControls (recommended) for system-wide YouTube blocking — or configure Screen Time manually
Which protection path should I choose?
| Path | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| FamilyControls (recommended) | Blocks YouTube in all browsers system-wide, shields apps (YouTube, TikTok, etc.), prevents bypass | Most families — strongest protection with easiest setup |
| Manual Screen Time | You configure Screen Time settings to block Safari/YouTube and prevent app deletion | Families using another parental control app that already holds FamilyControls access |
FamilyControls protection
With FamilyControls enabled, WhitelistVideo automatically:
- Blocks YouTube in Safari, Chrome, and all browsers
- Shields selected apps (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)
- Cannot be bypassed (with a child Apple ID)
Manual Screen Time protection
If you can't use FamilyControls (another app has it, or your device runs iOS 15), configure Screen Time to:
- Block app deletion — prevent WhitelistVideo removal
- Block Safari access to YouTube — or restrict Safari entirely
- Add WhitelistVideo to "Always Allowed" — so it works during Downtime
How does WhitelistVideo work on iOS?
Inside the app
- Your child opens the WhitelistVideo app instead of the YouTube app
- They can search and browse YouTube normally
- Videos from approved channels play immediately
- Videos from unapproved channels show a "Request" option
- All viewing is filtered according to your settings
What your child sees
- Approved videos: Play normally with full controls
- Unapproved videos: Blocked with a friendly message and option to request
- Channel requests: Sent to your Parents' App for approval
What you control
- Which channels are approved
- Auto-pilot content screening settings (Premium)
- Request limits and viewing schedules
iOS troubleshooting
The app isn't in my region's App Store
- WhitelistVideo is available worldwide
- Try signing out and back into the App Store
- Contact support if the issue persists
My child can still watch YouTube in Safari
- Recommended: Enable FamilyControls to block YouTube in all browsers automatically
- If not using FamilyControls: Use Screen Time to block Safari or restrict YouTube access
The app was deleted from my child's device
- Reinstall from the App Store
- Generate a new activation code from your Parents' App
- Enable FamilyControls with a child Apple ID to prevent deletion (strongest protection)
- Or set up Screen Time to block app deletion