YouTube age restrictions can be frustrating—especially when you're trying to watch mature content or access age-restricted videos. If you've seen the "Verify your age" prompt and don't know what to do next, you're not alone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to verify age on YouTube, why it's necessary, and how to fix common verification issues—whether you’re on desktop or mobile.
Which Country Requires Age Verification for YouTube
Age verification on YouTube is especially enforced in:
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🇬🇧 United Kingdom(if without a UK VPN)
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🇪🇺 European Union
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🇺🇸 United States (COPPA compliance)
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🇦🇺 Australia
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🇨🇦 Canada
These regions require stronger age assurance measures to protect minors online. Or you can use a free proxy VPN to switch your IP address and bypass age verification on YouTube safely.
How to Verify Age on YouTube: 3 Solutions
Method 1: Verify Your Age via Google Account Settings
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Go to your Google Account Settings: https://myaccount.google.com
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Select Personal Info
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Under Basic Info, check your Date of Birth
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If it’s incorrect or incomplete, click Edit
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Save changes — this may update your eligibility instantly
💡 Note: Changing your age might not work if you're under the legal age in your country.
Method 2: Submit a Valid Photo ID
If your age still isn’t verified, Google may prompt you to upload a government-issued ID:
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Click “Verify with ID”
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Upload a photo of your driver’s license, passport, or national ID
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Wait for YouTube’s team to review — usually within 24–48 hours
🛡️ Your information is encrypted and deleted after verification is complete.
Method 3: Verify Using Credit or Debit Card
Some users may be given the option to verify their age by card:
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Enter your card details in the secure Google form
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A temporary $1 charge may be made for verification purposes
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Your age is confirmed instantly if successful
⚠️ This method is not available in all countries.
How to Confirm Age on YouTube Mobile App
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Open the YouTube app
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Tap your profile icon > Manage your Google Account
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Go to Personal Info > Date of Birth
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Adjust age if needed
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If blocked, you’ll be redirected to verify using ID or card
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Troubleshooting: Can't Verify Age on YouTube
| Problem | Quick Fixes |
| Can’t access age-restricted videos | Check account age in Google settings |
| Verification failed | Use a different ID or try the card method |
| Underage account created by mistake | Submit appeal via Google Account Help |
| ID not accepted | Ensure document is valid, not expired, and clearly photographed |
Why YouTube Requires Age Verification
YouTube is legally required to comply with global content protection laws, including:
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GDPR (Europe)
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COPPA (USA)
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Australia’s Online Safety Act
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UK’s Age-Appropriate Design Code
If your Google account shows you're under 18—or your age isn’t verified—YouTube restricts your access to mature or sensitive content, such as:
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Age-restricted videos
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Certain livestreams
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Monetized or ad-limited content
Bonus Tips for Youtube Age Verification
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Create a supervised Google account for teens under 18
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Use YouTube Kids for children under 13
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Don’t falsify ID—this may lead to account suspension
FAQs
1. Can I watch age-restricted videos without verifying my age?
Not anymore. Google now enforces strict age verification globally.
2. What documents are accepted for verification?
Government-issued IDs: passport, driver’s license, or national ID.
3. Is it safe to upload my ID to YouTube?
Yes. Google uses encryption and deletes it after verification.
4. I entered the wrong birthday — can I change it?
Yes, via Google Account settings. Some accounts may be locked if underage.
5. What if I don’t have a valid ID?
Try using a credit/debit card, or wait until your legal age.