Simple Ways to Lock the Screen on YouTube

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Watch YouTube without worrying about touching the screen

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: October 11, 2023 Fact Checked

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On iPhone & iPad

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On Android

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Tips

Are you watching a video in the YouTube app and worried you may accidentally pause or stop the video? Fortunately, it's easy to lock the screen while you are watching a YouTube video. This wikiHow article teaches you how to lock the screen while watching YouTube on your Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Things You Should Know

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can lock the screen with Guided Access.
Set up Guided Access, then activate it by pressing the side button 3 times, tapping "Touch", and selecting "Start."
If you're using Android, download an app called Touch Lock, then tap it in the notification bar to activate it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

On iPhone & iPad

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Tap the app icon that features a set of gears.
It's next to an icon of a stretched-out person on a blue background.

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Tap Guided Access. Scroll down to see this under "General" next to a locked icon.
- If the feature isn't on, tap the switch to toggle it on now. The switch will turn green once enabled.
Once Guided Access is enabled, this option will appear.
This is in blue text at the top of the page.
You'll enter this code to lock and unlock YouTube.
You can tap a video from your home screen or search using the magnifying glass to find a specific video.
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Press the side button three times. Once you triple-press the side button, more options will appear on-screen.
- If your iPhone has a Home button, press that three times instead.
- Alternatively, tell Siri to "Turn on Guided Access" if you have Siri enabled.
It's in the bottom left corner of your screen.
This will make sure any touches after the Guided Access is on will not unlock the screen.
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Tap Start. You'll see this in the top right corner of your screen.
- To stop Guided Access and resume touching the screen, press the side or Home button three times and enter the Guided Access passcode.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

On Android

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Download the Touch Lock app. This is a free app from the Google Play Store with excellent ratings you can use to lock the screen while watching YouTube. You can find it at The Google Play Store developed by Brink Technologies.
- Android users don't have the functionality of Guided Access on iOS, so you will need to download a 3rd party app.
- Touch Lock will even lock your screen if you're watching Netflix or Prime.
Tap the app icon that looks like an orange locked icon.
This is the pattern you will use to unlock your screen.
Once the toggle is colored, Touch Lock will open again.
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Tap the "Manual" toggle to make it "Auto"
. This will ensure that Touch Lock enables automatically when you play something and cover the screen. For example, turning on music and putting it in your pocket will automatically activate Touch Lock.
- Tap OK"' to continue to your phone's Settings.
Once the toggle is colored, it is enabled.
You can tap on a video from your home screen or search using the magnifying glass to find a specific video.
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Swipe down and tap the Touch Lock option. Your notification bar will expand down whenever you swipe. Since you've enabled all the important settings in Touch Lock, it will be included as an icon when you swipe down.
- The screen will lock the screen on your YouTube session with a Touch Lock icon in the top right corner.
- Tap the Touch Lock icon two times and enter your pattern to unlock the screen.^{[2]
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