How to block YouTube on iPhone on a schedule.
Keep YouTube available when you need it and block it automatically during work, study, evenings, or sleep. Start free with one rule, then choose monthly or lifetime Pro for more control.
Block YouTube automatically
Choose YouTube with Apple's Screen Time picker, set the days and times, and Downtime will apply the block automatically.
How to do it with Downtime
Create a schedule
Pick the hours when YouTube should be blocked, such as weekday work hours or late evenings.
Select YouTube
Use Apple's built-in picker to add YouTube to the block rule.
Choose the days
Apply the block on weekdays, weekends, or every day.
Let the schedule run
When the schedule begins, YouTube is blocked automatically.
Choose when YouTube is available
A schedule lets you keep access to YouTube while blocking it during focused time.
- Block it during work hours to reduce interruptions.
- Keep it unavailable during study sessions.
- Set an evening cutoff to protect your sleep.
Keep tutorials available outside focus time
YouTube can be useful for lessons, workouts, and repairs, so a permanent block may be too restrictive. Schedule the block around the work you need to finish, then use YouTube normally when that time ends.
Add youtube.com to the same rule if you switch from the app to Safari when the app is blocked.
Start free. Choose the Pro plan that suits you.
Downtime includes one blocking rule for free. Pro adds multiple rules, instant Lockdown, Essentials Mode, Strict Mode, daily pause allowances, and configuration backup and restore. Choose monthly access or a one-time lifetime purchase. Compare Free and Pro.
- Monthly and lifetime Pro options.
- No account required.
- No ads or cross-app tracking. Analytics is optional.
- Works for apps and websites in the same routine.
Need a block before your schedule starts?
With Pro, Lockdown immediately blocks the selections in all enabled rules. Strict Mode adds a one-hour waiting period before you can switch Strict Mode off, helping protect your rules and pause settings from impulsive changes.
For a quieter phone overall, Essentials Mode keeps only your chosen apps available. You can start it manually or schedule it. Explore all three blocking approaches.