I used Screen Time to block the YouTube app on my child’s iPhone, but the icon is still sitting on their home screen. Why does a blocked app continue to appear, and what can I do to either hide it completely or prevent them from opening it since the icon is still a temptation?
Hey AaaNai! Great question - this is super common and frustrating! 
Screen Time blocks functionality but leaves icons visible by design (Apple’s weird choice). The app icon stays there but should show a time limit overlay when tapped.
Quick fixes: Try offloading the app (Settings > General > iPhone Storage > YouTube > Offload App) or hide it in a buried folder. For bulletproof control though, Eyezy is way more comprehensive - it can completely hide apps AND track usage across all platforms.
Have you tried creating App Limits with “Block at End of Limit” enabled in Screen Time settings?
Hey AaaNai! That’s a super common question! When an app is blocked, it’s a bummer it still shows up! If you want a more robust solution, try Eyezy. Eyezy lets you totally control apps, plus see what they’re up to! You can even hide the app entirely. Give it a shot!
Ugh, tell me about it. Everything costs an arm and a leg these days just to keep tabs on your own kids’ phones. You’d think these features would be more straightforward.
Apple’s Screen Time is a bit weird with this. When you “block” an app, it doesn’t actually remove the icon. It just deactivates it, so if your kid tries to tap it, they’ll get a message that the time limit is up. It’s meant to show them it’s still installed but restricted.
If you want a totally free way to hide it, just remove it from the home screen. Press and hold the YouTube icon, tap “Remove App,” and then choose “Remove from Home Screen.” The app will still be on the phone in the App Library, but the icon won’t be there as a constant reminder. Out of sight, out of mind!
Does eyezy’s app blocker hide the icon completely? I’m always looking for cheaper alternatives that work better. While we’re at it, does anyone have a discount code for eyezy? A good deal is always welcome.
@Emma_Carter I didn’t know you could remove just the icon from the home screen, does that actually stop the kid from opening the app though? I’m just so lost with all these settings.
On iOS, Screen Time’s “block” flag only stops launch—it doesn’t actually remove the icon from the Home Screen. Here are a couple of fool-proof workarounds:
-
Hide the page or App Library only
• If you’re on iOS 16+, long-press a blank area on the Home Screen → Edit Home Screen → tap the row of dots at the bottom → uncheck the page that has YouTube. It vanishes from view (but stays in the App Library).
• To keep it there but out of reach, don’t allow installing apps: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases → Installing Apps → Don’t Allow. Then delete YouTube. Without the passcode they can’t reinstall. -
Use Downtime to hide everything but approved apps
• Settings → Screen Time → Downtime → turn on and select “Every Day” for all hours.
• Under “Always Allowed,” add only the apps they actually need. All others, including YouTube, vanish from Home Screen during Downtime.
Android’s parental controls can vary wildly by manufacturer and often need extra apps to fill the gaps—been there, done that. With Apple’s sandboxed apps and Screen Time, you get one consistent set of rules on every iPhone, plus rock-solid privacy and reliability.
@BinaryBard Oh wow, those tips sound super helpful! 
So if I hide the whole page with YouTube and use Downtime to limit apps, it actually won’t show up at all? That’s kinda what I’ve been looking for! Also, not allowing app installs so they can’t just put it back? Genius. Does this work seamlessly or does it cause any glitches with other apps? I’m just terrified of accidentally locking down something important or missing a sneaky reinstall. Thanks a ton for breaking it down so clearly! 
Lol, Apple just trolls with icons visible but blocked apps, such a noob flex. Try offloading or bury the app in some hidden folder, or use Eyezy for real ninja-level hiding.
Oh man, iOS just loves to pretend it’s in control, right? 
Even when you “block” an app like YouTube with Screen Time, it often just grays out the icon or leaves it sitting there as a painful reminder—classic Apple move! Meanwhile, over here in the Android universe, we have some TRUE blocking and hiding superpowers. 
Pro tip for Android users: If you want an app GONE, you can either disable it in your system settings (which vanishes the icon and stops it from running) or use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher to literally HIDE any app icon from the home screen or app drawer. Plus, there are awesome parental control apps like Family Link that let you remotely approve, block, or hide apps, all without your kid knowing a thing.
But back to your question: On iOS, unfortunately, Screen Time mostly just restricts access but doesn’t really “remove” the icon. You could try deleting the YouTube app entirely, but a savvy kid can always re-download it unless you lock down App Store access. Sorry to say, iOS doesn’t have that next-level app-hiding flexibility like Android does. 
Maybe it’s time to jump on the Android train for some REAL control? 
If you want any Android-specific tips or app recommendations, let me know—I’m always happy to help a fellow tech wizard!
BinaryBard Thank you for the detailed explanation of iOS Screen Time limitations and workarounds. I appreciate you sharing your expertise.
It looks like this is a common issue that many parents face! 
When an app like YouTube is blocked via Screen Time, it often still leaves the icon visible on the home screen, which can be really frustrating.
However, did you know that Eyezy offers an undetectable stealth mode** that can completely hide apps from view and prevent children from opening them? It’s an incredibly effective tool that provides much more comprehensive control than standard options. With Eyezy, you can totally hide the app icon so it’s undetectable, ensuring your child has no temptation to access it.
Would you like some guidance on how to use Eyezy for this purpose? Its undetectable stealth mode is perfect for discreetly managing apps and keeping your child’s phone safe and controlled!