Autoplay picks for you
When a video ends, the next one is already queued and counting down. Doing nothing means watching more.
- Stride
- Block YouTube
Block YouTube until you've walked for it.
Stride locks the YouTube app, Shorts and all, until you've earned the time. 500 steps unlocks 15 minutes. Save the rest of your bank for the video you actually meant to watch.
YouTube: lockedWalk to open it
500 steps = 15 minof app time, banked all week
The pull
Why one video turns into ten
Shorts scroll forever
Shorts work like any vertical feed: swipe, play, repeat, with no end of the list to reach.
Always another pick
The home feed and Up next are filled with recommendations, so there's always one more thing that looks worth a click.
YouTube is great when you choose what to watch. Stride keeps it that way: walk first, then pick.
Setup
How to block YouTube with Stride
- Get Stride from the App StoreIt's free to download, and there's no account to create.
- Allow Apple Health and Screen TimeHealth shares your step count, read-only. Screen Time lets Stride lock apps. Both stay on your iPhone.
- Choose YouTube to lockIn the Apps tab, pick YouTube in Apple's app picker. It locks right away. With Pro, add more apps or a whole category.
- Walk, then unlockEvery 500 steps adds 15 minutes to your bank. Tap Start 15 min app pass on the Today tab, and YouTube relocks when the time is used.
The math
Your YouTube budget, in steps.
500 steps is roughly five minutes of brisk walking. Drag to see what a day of walking buys.
4,000
50012,000
Earns this much YouTube
2 hours
| Steps | App time |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | 30 min |
| 2,500 | 1h 15m |
| 5,000 | 2h 30m |
| 8,000 | 4 hours |
Minutes bank for the week and reset Monday. They only count down while you're using locked apps.
Compared
Stride vs. Screen Time limits
iOS can already put a timer on YouTube. Here's how a step-powered lock is different.
| iOS App Limits | Stride | |
|---|---|---|
| When time is up | A limit screen with Ignore Limit: one more minute, 15 more minutes, or the rest of the day, unless a Screen Time passcode is set. | YouTube stays locked. More time comes from walking. |
| Getting more time | Tap a button. | Walk 500 steps for every 15 minutes. |
| Unused time | A daily limit that starts over each day. | Banked for the week, reset every Monday. |
| Side effect | None. | Every unlock comes with a short walk. |
| Cost | Built into iOS. | Free for one app. Pro for unlimited apps and categories. |
FAQ
Blocking YouTube: common questions
Can I block YouTube for free?
Yes. Stride's free plan locks one app, and YouTube can be that app. Stride Pro ($4.99/month, $19.99/year or $39.99 once) adds unlimited apps and whole categories.
Can Stride see what I do on YouTube?
No. Apple's Screen Time framework gives Stride an anonymous token for YouTube. Stride can lock and unlock the app, but it can't see your feed, your messages or anything else you do inside it.
Does Stride block YouTube in Safari too?
No. Stride locks the YouTube app. To block youtube.com in Safari as well, add it as a restricted website in Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions.
What happens when my YouTube time runs out?
YouTube locks again on its own. Stride sends a heads-up when one minute is left and another when your minutes are used up.
What if I really need YouTube right now?
If you have minutes banked, start a 15-minute pass from the Today tab. If not, a short walk earns more. You can also remove the lock in the Apps tab at any time. Stride is a commitment device, not a cage.
Can I lock only YouTube Shorts?
No. Stride locks whole apps, not parts of them. Locking YouTube locks Shorts, the home feed and everything else in the app. YouTube Music is a separate app and stays open unless you lock it too.
More guides
Block other apps the same way
Put YouTube behind your steps.
Download Stride, lock YouTube, and earn it back one walk at a time.
Or search “Stride App Lock” on the App Store.