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 Screen Time access approved: Restricts YouTube access through Safari and Chrome while approved videos continue to play inside WhitelistVideo
Required: Approve Screen Time access during WhitelistVideo setup. Keep YouTube domains permitted in Screen Time so approved videos can play. Set up Screen Time access →
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Without WhitelistVideo authorization: The app filters YouTube within its own player only and does not restrict YouTube in Safari or Chrome. 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; Screen Time authorization for browser restriction requires iOS 16 or later
- iPad running iOS 15 or later; Screen Time authorization for browser restriction requires iOS 16 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
- Uninstall the regular YouTube app from the child's device
- Install and activate WhitelistVideo using a code from your Parents' App
- Approve Screen Time access when WhitelistVideo requests it
- Keep YouTube domains permitted in Screen Time
- Restrict app deletion and installation, and remove or restrict browsers other than Safari and Chrome
Step 1: Remove YouTube and InstallStep 2: Activate ProtectionStep 3: Approve Screen Time AccessStep 4: Configure App Restrictions
Which authorization mode should I use?
| Mode | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Child Account | Gives WhitelistVideo the strongest Screen Time authorization through a child Apple ID | Recommended for most families |
| Individual | Lets WhitelistVideo request access on a device without a child Apple ID | Requires separate app-deletion restrictions and regular checks |
FamilyControls protection
After Screen Time access is approved, WhitelistVideo:
- Restricts YouTube access through Safari and Chrome
- Continues playing approved videos inside WhitelistVideo because YouTube domains remain permitted
- Provides the strongest authorization when the device uses a child Apple ID
If another parental-control app is used
If Bark, Qustodio, or another parental-control app prevents WhitelistVideo from obtaining authorization:
- Let that app manage app installation, app deletion, and browser restrictions
- Use WhitelistVideo to filter approved YouTube content inside its own app
- Do not have the other app blanket-block YouTube domains if that prevents approved playback
- Do not describe WhitelistVideo as restricting Safari or Chrome unless it holds Screen Time authorization
Manage the supporting Screen Time restrictions →
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
- Confirm WhitelistVideo still has Screen Time access
- Confirm YouTube domains are not in Screen Time's Never Allow list
- Test both Safari and Chrome; if either allows unfiltered YouTube, re-authorize WhitelistVideo
The app was deleted from my child's device
- Reinstall from the App Store
- Generate a new activation code from your Parents' App
- Use FamilyControls with a child Apple ID for the strongest authorization mode
- Review Screen Time app-deletion restrictions separately and test them on the child's device