How to Unblock YouTube on Mac: Breaking Barriers
YouTube is one of the most popular websites for watching videos online. However, in some countries and networks, access to YouTube may be blocked. Wondering how to get on YouTube when its blocked? You’ve come to the right place. If you are using a Mac and find that YouTube is blocked, there are a few methods you can try to unblock it.
In this article, we will discuss why YouTube may be blocked and the different ways on how to unblock YouTube on Mac.
Also read: How To Allow Pop-Ups on Mac or Unblock Them
Why Might YouTube Be Blocked?
There are a few common reasons why you may find YouTube blocked on your Mac:
- Geographic restrictions – Some countries block access to YouTube due to government restrictions. This includes China, North Korea, Iran, and more.
- School/work network blocks – If you are on a school or work network, they may block access to certain websites, including YouTube.
- ISP blocks – In some cases, internet service providers may block access to sites like YouTube. This may be due to government pressure or to reduce network congestion.
- Filtering software – Parental control and filtering tools may block access to YouTube. This is commonly done to prevent access to adult content.
No matter the reason, having YouTube blocked can be frustrating. The good news is there are ways around these restrictions on Mac.
How to Unblock YouTube on Mac
Method 1: Turn OFF Content and Privacy Restrictions
To access all restricted websites, the simplest method is to disable Content and privacy restrictions entirely on your Mac.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Apple menu > System Preferences > Screen Time.
Step 2: Click on Content & Privacy and deactivate it. Alternatively, navigate to Content Restrictions and select Unrestricted Access.
Also read: How to Access and Control Mac Remotely For Any Device
Method 2: Using a VPN to Unblock YouTube
One of the most reliable methods to unblock blocked sites like YouTube is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN allows you to route your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel. This tunnel masks your IP address and location, allowing you to bypass geographic restrictions and access blocked content.
Here is how to unblock YouTube using a VPN on your Mac:
- Sign up for a reputable VPN service. Look for VPNs that allow P2P traffic and have servers in countries where YouTube is not blocked. Some good options include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, or ProtonVPN.
- Download and install the VPN provider’s app on your Mac. Most providers offer dedicated Mac apps that are easy to set up.
- Connect to a server location where YouTube is not blocked. This is often the United States, Canada, or Europe.
- Once connected, you can now access YouTube through the VPN tunnel. Be sure the VPN stays on whenever you use YouTube.
The advantage of using a VPN is it encrypts all your traffic, allowing you to bypass network blocks securely. The only downside is you have to pay for a VPN subscription. But the cost is reasonable (usually $5-12 per month) and many VPNs also offer free trials.
Method 3: Try Alternate DNS Servers
Here comes another effective method of how to unblock YouTube on Mac. So, your internet service provider (ISP) assigns you a default DNS (Domain Name System) server that is used when you access sites like YouTube. In some cases, YouTube may be blocked at the DNS level.
An alternate solution is to switch your DNS servers to ones that do not block YouTube. Here’s how to do this on Mac:
Step 1: Go to System Preferences -> Network. Select your primary network connection.
Click Advanced -> DNS.
Step 2: Delete any existing DNS server entries and replace them with alternate DNS servers like:
8.8.8.8 (Google DNS)
1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare DNS)
208.67.222.222 (OpenDNS)
Step 3: Click OK and Apply to save the changes.
This will override your ISP’s default DNS servers with ones that allow access to YouTube. The limitation of this method is it only works if YouTube is blocked at the DNS level by your ISP. Other website blocks would still apply.
Also read: How To Play MKV Files on Mac
Method 4: Use a Web Proxy Site
Another option is to access YouTube through a web proxy site. Web proxies act as an intermediary between you and a website like YouTube. To use a proxy:
Step 1: Find an open web proxy site that is not blocked. Some options include KProxy, PHProxy, and SSLPrivateProxy.
Step 2: Go to the proxy site and input the full YouTube URL in the site template, for example, on PHProxy input https://www.youtube.com.
Step 3: Click go and you’ll be taken to an unblocked version of YouTube through the proxy.
Step 3: You can now browse YouTube anonymously through the proxy.
The upside of web proxies is they are free to use. However, proxies can be slower than a direct connection. You also have to find a proxy site that isn’t blocked by your network.
Also read: How To Set Up And Use Screen Sharing on Mac
Conclusion
This wraps up our guide on how to unblock YouTube on Mac. There are several effective methods to unblock YouTube if you find it blocked on your Mac. The best approach depends on why YouTube access is restricted. Using a VPN or Tor to encrypt your traffic often works well for bypassing geographic blocks and censorship.
For network-level blocks, try alternate DNS servers or web proxies. You can also disable content filtering in Settings. With the right solution, you should be able to regain access to YouTube and enjoy its video content freely.
FAQs:
How to Unblock YouTube on a Restricted Network?
If YouTube is blocked on a school, work, or public network, you can use a VPN or proxy service to bypass the network restrictions and access YouTube. A VPN encrypts your traffic so the network can’t see you’re accessing YouTube. A proxy site reroutes your traffic through an unrestricted server.
How to Watch Blocked YouTube Videos in Your Country?
If YouTube is blocked in your country, use a VPN service with servers in countries where YouTube is available, like the US or Canada. Connect to one of these servers to virtually access YouTube from an unrestricted region. You can also use a circumvention tool like Tor or proxy sites.
What are the Ways to Get on YouTube When It’s Blocked?
To access blocked YouTube, use a VPN, change your DNS settings, access YouTube via a web proxy site, use censorship circumvention tools like Psiphon or Tor Browser, or visit a YouTube mirror site instead of youtube.com directly.
How Can I Open YouTube in a Blocked Network Environment?
On a network with YouTube blocked, connect to a VPN app on your device which will encrypt your traffic and bypass the network blocks. Web proxies can circumvent network filters by routing your YouTube requests through an unblocked server.
How to Watch YouTube Videos That Are Blocked in My Region?
If YouTube videos are geo-restricted in your region, use a VPN to virtually access YouTube from another location. Connect to a VPN server in a country where the videos are available to watch region-blocked content. Mirror sites may also work.