If you want to watch a YouTube video with an age restriction, you will be asked to log in to your account and verify your age. There were once a lot of tricks to get around age restrictions, including websites like NSFWYouTube and Listen on Repeat, which let you watch the videos without having to log in. However, YouTube made some changes in early 2021 that prevent other websites from displaying age-restricted videos. Fortunately, there are some apps you can download that you can use to get around age restrictions. This wikiHow teaches you how to get around age restrictions on YouTube videos on your computer, phone, and tablet.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using FreeTube on a computer
Step 1. Install FreeTube on your PC or Mac
FreeTube is a free app that allows you to watch all videos on YouTube without having to login and verify your age. To download the app, do the following:
- Go to https://freetubeapp.io/#download using a web browser.
- If you're using Windows, click the .ziplink and if you are using macOS on the .dmg-link. Save the file to your computer when prompted.
- If you have Windows, right click on the zip file you downloaded, choose Unpack everything and then click Unpacking. Then double click on the file whose name starts with 'freetube' and ends with 'exe' and follow the instructions on the screen to install the app.
- If you have a Mac, double-click the DMG file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step #2. Open FreeTube
The red and blue icon in the shape of the letter 'F' can be found in the Windows Start menu or in the 'Applications' folder on a Mac.
Step #3. Search for the video you want to watch
You can do this by typing your search query in the box at the top of the screen. If you have the URL of the video, you can paste it into the search bar. You will not be asked to verify your age or log in to YouTube when the video loads.
FreeTube also allows you to subscribe to all the channels of your choice. The channels you subscribe to are stored in your profile
Method 2 of 3: Using NewPipe on an Android device
Step 1. Install NewPipe on your Android device
NewPipe is a free Android app that allows you to watch age-restricted videos on your phone or tablet. Since you can't download NewPipe from the Play Store, you have to download the app in a different way than other apps:
- If you are using Android 7 (Nougat) or older, open the Institutionsapp, tap Security or Screen lock and security and move the slider next to 'Unknown sources' to the on position.
- Open a web browser on your Android device and go to
- For the latest version (the one at the top), tap the link that starts with NewPipe_v and ends in .apk. You can find this link under the heading 'Assets'. If the download does not start automatically, follow the on-screen instructions to download the app.
- Open the folder Downloads. If you have an app called Files or My files then tap on it and choose Downloads. If you don't have this app, then you probably have an app called Downloads. Tap it to open the folder.
- Tap the APK file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the app. When the app is installed, you will see the app icon in your list of apps.
Step 2. Open NewPipe
The app has a red and round icon with a horizontal triangle of which a small part is missing.
Step #3. Tap on the magnifying glass
This is in the top right corner. Tapping it will bring up a search bar.
Step 4. Search for a video
You can now search for anything you want, including videos that you know are age-restricted.
Step 5. Tap a video to start watching
NewPipe will not ask you to login and verify your age.
Method 3 of 3: Using VLC Media Player on a phone or tablet
Step 1. Install VLC on your Android device, iPhone or iPad
If you have an Android device, search the Play Store for the app 'VLC for Android' and tap to install to download and install the app. If you have an iPhone or iPad, search for 'VLC for Mobile' and tap DOWNLOAD to install the app.
- According to many people on Reddit, if you stream them with VLC, you can watch age-restricted videos without having to log in. However, this may not work with all age-restricted videos. It may also be that this does not work for certain videos in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- It is no longer possible to get around age restrictions with VLC on a computer.
Step 2. Copy the URL of the video you want to watch
Open your web browser, go to https://www.youtube.com and search for the video. You won't be able to play the video without logging in, but you can still copy the URL:
- Tap the URL in the address bar at the top of your browser to select it.
- Tap and hold on the selected URL and choose To copy when that option appears.
Step 3. Open VLC on your phone or tablet
The app has a square white icon with a white and orange pylon in it.
The first time you open the app, follow the onscreen instructions to set up the app and allow it to perform certain functions
Step 4. Open a new network stream
The steps differ depending on which phone or tablet you're using:
-
Android:
tap on More in the bottom right corner, then tap + New stream in the top left corner.
-
iPhone/iPad:
tap the tab Network at the bottom of the screen, then tap Open Network Stream.
Step 5. Paste the copied URL into the address bar
You can find this at the top of the screen. To paste the URL, tap and hold the address bar. Then choose the option To stick.
Step 6. Tap the Send button (Android) or Open Network Stream (iPhone/iPad)
The video will be played.
Some age-restricted videos may not be playable by VLC, but many videos will work
Warnings
- Don't try this at school or work, because you obviously don't want your teacher or boss to see the videos you're watching. It will probably have consequences if you get caught.
- Make sure to delete your browsing history or use incognito mode if no one should know that you watched a particular video.
- Try not to do this if you are not yet 18 years old.