YouTube is gradually rolling out a 4-digit profile lock worldwide, giving users greater privacy on shared smart TVs and allowing mobile-based unlocking.
YouTube has introduced a new 4-digit profile lock feature designed to give users greater privacy when sharing smart TVs and other devices with family members.
The feature is being rolled out globally and is intended to prevent other people using the same device from accessing a user’s private profile, viewing history, subscriptions and personalized video recommendations.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has confirmed the rollout of the account-locking feature, which addresses a common issue faced by households where multiple people use the same YouTube account on a shared television.
Users can activate the profile lock through the YouTube app on their TV. They need to open the navigation bar on the left side of the screen, go to Settings and set a four-digit code for the profile.
The lock is configured separately for each device. This means that households using the same YouTube account on two different TVs or devices will need to set up the profile lock and code separately on each device.
YouTube has also added a mobile-based unlocking option to make the feature more convenient. After selecting a locked profile on the TV, users can unlock it through the YouTube app on their mobile phone instead of entering the four-digit code using the TV remote. The mobile app’s notification feature needs to be enabled for this option.
There is also an alternative for users who forget their four-digit code. The “Forgot password” option on the TV allows them to use basic Google Account information to unlock and reset the profile.
YouTube has clarified that the four-digit code should not be considered a traditional high-security password. Its primary purpose is to provide household-level privacy on shared devices rather than serve as a comprehensive account security measure.
The feature could also help prevent different users’ viewing habits from affecting one another’s recommendations. Previously, when several family members watched different types of content through the same profile, their viewing histories could influence the videos displayed on the YouTube home screen.
By keeping individual profiles locked, users can maintain a more personalized viewing experience while reducing the possibility of private viewing preferences appearing to other household members.
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