OS native parental controls
Strengthen WhitelistVideo's protection by configuring your operating system's built-in parental controls.
Important: WhitelistVideo's Advanced Protection is the primary way to prevent bypassing on desktop computers. Native parental controls provide an additional layer of security. For mobile devices (iOS/Android), native parental controls are required for complete protection.
Disclaimer: The guides in this section are provided as general guidance and may not reflect the latest changes to each platform's interface or policies. Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, and Microsoft Family Safety are third-party services not affiliated with WhitelistVideo. Please refer to the official documentation for each platform for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.
These guides are current as of May 2026. Operating system interfaces change with updates — if a step doesn't match what you see on your device, check Apple Support (opens in a new tab), Google Support (opens in a new tab), or Microsoft Support (opens in a new tab) for the latest instructions.
Why configure OS parental controls?
Native parental controls help you:
- Prevent app deletion - Stop your child from removing WhitelistVideo
- Restrict browser bypass routes - On iOS, WhitelistVideo does this after Screen Time access is approved; keep YouTube domains permitted
- Restrict app installation - Prevent downloading alternative browsers or apps
- Set time limits - Control overall device usage
- Manage content - Additional filtering at the OS level
Setup process overview
For each operating system, there are two steps:
- Create a Child Account - Set up a separate account for your child with appropriate restrictions
- Configure Parental Controls - Set up the native parental control app to restrict browsers and apps
iOS (iPhone & iPad)
WhitelistVideo requires Screen Time access on iOS to restrict YouTube through Safari and Chrome. A child Apple ID provides the strongest authorization.
Required for iOS: Uninstall the regular YouTube app, install and activate WhitelistVideo, approve Screen Time access, and keep YouTube domains out of Screen Time's Never Allow list. Separately prevent app deletion and require approval for new app installations.
Official Documentation: Use Screen Time on iPhone (opens in a new tab)
Android
Google's Family Link provides parental controls for Android phones and tablets.
Recommended for Android: Family Link provides the essential app protection layer that locks WhitelistVideo in place. Configure it to block app deletion.
Official Documentation: Google Family Link (opens in a new tab)
Windows
Microsoft's Family Safety provides parental controls for Windows 10 and 11.
Official Documentation: Microsoft Family Safety (opens in a new tab)
Chromebook
Google's Family Link provides parental controls for Chromebooks.
Official Documentation: Family Link on Chromebook (opens in a new tab)
Mac
Apple's Screen Time provides parental controls for Mac computers.
Official Documentation: Apple Screen Time (opens in a new tab)
Quick comparison
Scroll horizontally to see all columns.
| Feature | iOS | Android | Windows | Chromebook | Mac |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parental Control App | FamilyControls + Screen Time | Family Link | Family Safety | Family Link | Screen Time |
| Block app deletion | Set Deleting Apps to Don't Allow | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Block YouTube in browsers | WhitelistVideo restricts Safari/Chrome while authorized | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Block app installation | Yes | Yes | Yes (limited) | Yes | Yes |
| Block browsers | Keep Safari/Chrome; restrict other browser apps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Control native YouTube app | Uninstall and prevent reinstallation | No | No | No | No |
| Time limits | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Content filtering | WhitelistVideo app; YouTube domains must remain permitted | Chrome only | Edge only | Chrome only | Safari (turn off recommended) |
| Age restrictions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key goals
For WhitelistVideo to work effectively, configure these settings on your child's device:
1. Prevent App Deletion (Mobile Only)
Goal (iOS/Android): Lock the WhitelistVideo app in place so your child cannot delete it.
Native parental controls (Screen Time or Family Link) provide the app protection layer that ensures WhitelistVideo stays installed.
2. Restrict to One Browser (Desktop Only)
Goal (Windows/Mac/Chromebook): Only allow Google Chrome on the device. Block or remove all other browsers.
Why? On computers, the WhitelistVideo installer protects Chrome and Edge. If Safari, Firefox, or another browser remains available, restrict that app separately and test youtube.com from the child account.
3. Direct YouTube Through WhitelistVideo
Goal: Ensure your child accesses YouTube only through WhitelistVideo.
- iOS (mobile app): Approve Screen Time access, keep YouTube domains permitted, keep Safari and Chrome available, and restrict other browser apps
- Android (mobile app): Use Family Link Chrome website rules for youtube.com and block or approve alternative browser apps separately
- Windows/Mac (extension): The installer protects Chrome and Edge; use Family Safety or Screen Time for other browsers
- Chromebook (extension): Personal devices need monitoring and Family Link where supported; managed force-install provides the strongest protection
4. Block App Installation
Goal: Require parental approval for any new app or software installation.
Why? Without this, your child could download a new browser or app to bypass WhitelistVideo.
5. Set Time Limits (Optional)
Goal: Control how much time your child spends on the device overall.
This complements WhitelistVideo by managing total screen time, not just YouTube content.
Need help?
If you're having trouble configuring native parental controls:
- iOS (iPhone/iPad): Apple Support (opens in a new tab)
- Android: Google Families Help (opens in a new tab)
- Windows: Microsoft Support (opens in a new tab)
- Chromebook: Google Families Help (opens in a new tab)
- Mac: Apple Support (opens in a new tab)
For WhitelistVideo-specific questions, contact support@whitelist.video.
VPN and proxy bypass
A tech-savvy child could install a VPN app to bypass web filtering. To prevent this:
- iOS: Use Ask to Buy or set Installing Apps to Don't Allow; a child Apple ID provides the strongest WhitelistVideo authorization
- Android: Family Link requires approval for all app installs
- Windows: Family Safety can restrict app installation
- Chromebook: Family Link controls app installation
- Mac: Screen Time can restrict app installation
Multiple children sharing one device
- Windows/Mac: Create a separate OS user account for each child. Install WhitelistVideo extension and desktop lockdown on each account separately.
- Android: Each child needs their own supervised Google account via Family Link.
- Chromebook: Each child needs their own supervised Google account. They sign in to their own profile on the shared Chromebook.
- iOS: iOS devices are typically single-user. Use Guided Access or dedicate one device per child.