Calmer, ad-free viewing
Block what you don't want—or allow only what you trust. Control channels, keywords, Shorts, comments, categories, languages, and more.
Desktop extensions are available now. The complete Android app is in Google Play closed testing; iPhone and iPad are being finalized for TestFlight.
Android phone + tablet
Google Play closed testing contains FilterTube's feature-rich custom viewing experience for YouTube Main and Kids. It is different from the simpler direct APK available on GitHub; regular testers help move this full app toward public release.
Join the closed test
iPhone + iPad
Final build and testing alignment is underway. An Apple Developer account issue on Apple's side is delaying TestFlight access, and we are working to resolve it as soon as possible.
Follow iOS status
Independent open source
FilterTube is built by an independent open-source developer, currently without a salaried role or outside funding. My family is funding the project today. If FilterTube helps your household, a contribution supports app accounts, testing, and continued compatibility work.
Support on Ko-fiQuick guide
This is the parent-friendly path the website now leads with: one block, one refresh, then profiles, imports, or device updates if your setup needs them.
Three-minute setup
Use the browser extension first. Android users can also email hello@filtertube.in to join Google Play closed testing.
Add one channel or one keyword, then refresh YouTube and confirm it hides.
Profiles, PINs, whitelist mode, CSV/TXT/JSON imports, and device updates can wait until the basic rule works.
Family device updates
A parent device can pair with a protected device, confirm the safety phrase, then send rules, time, and access. Live P2P works when both devices are open. Optional Home Pickup helps on the same network, and Internet Pickup can let a verified device collect a signed update later.
Live P2P
Both devices open now
Home Pickup
Same network, explicit setup
Internet Pickup
Verified device opens later
Account & Sync model
parent reviewedHow it works
You do not need to understand YouTube internals. Add rules, choose the profile, open YouTube, then adjust when something changes.
Choose words, channels, videos, comments, Shorts, or whitelist rules from the dashboard.
Keep the adult profile, child profiles, and YouTube Kids rules separate when they need different limits.
FilterTube removes matching videos and surfaces as YouTube loads, then cleans up anything YouTube adds later.
If YouTube changes its layout, tell the developer. That is usually the reason filtering suddenly misses a surface.
If filtering misses something
YouTube changes its page structure often. If a rule stops hiding something, that usually means FilterTube needs a small update for the new layout.
What to send
A screenshot, the page type, and the blocked word or channel is usually enough to start debugging.
Where to send it
Email hello@filtertube.in, open a GitHub issue, or comment wherever you already found FilterTube.
What stays private
Do not send private family rules unless you choose to. A small example is usually enough.
Start here
FilterTube is for parents, students, and everyday users who need clear controls: add words, block channels, hide Shorts, set stricter profiles, and keep the setup local.
Why this exists
View the parent requestStart with one blocked word or channel. Add stricter family controls only when you need them.
Live today
Browser extension
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Opera-friendly paths are ready for daily use.
Common first steps
Kids + Shorts
Use whitelist mode for trusted channels only, or hide Shorts when scrolling is the main problem.
Apps next
Phone, tablet, TV
Dedicated apps will carry the same rules and profiles to more screens.
Controls
Most people can start with a blocklist. Families can add profiles, PINs, whitelist mode, and device updates as the setup grows.
Ad-free viewing
The extension removes observed YouTube advert plans before playback and keeps a guarded fallback for adverts that escape. The native app uses its content-first player path instead of YouTube's browser advert path.
Block what you name
Start with the simple lists: add a channel, add a word, or turn off an entire surface like Shorts or comments.
Profiles and PINs
A parent can keep the main profile open, create protected child profiles, and use PINs so settings are not changed by accident.
Daily calm
FilterTube is useful for parents, students, ADHD focus, and anyone who wants YouTube to stop pushing the same distractions.
Devices and apps
The extension is live, the working Android build is in Google Play closed testing, and the native Apple build is in final testing alignment.
Apps
The browser extension is the live product. The app work extends the same rules, profiles, and parent controls to more places.
Choose a screen
Pick the screen that matters most and see what works now, what is in testing, and what is planned next.
iPhone app
A dedicated iPhone app centered on quick control and trusted setup.
See detailsiPad app
A wide-screen FilterTube companion for family oversight and deeper management.
See detailsAndroid app
The feature-rich Android custom viewing app needs active Google Play closed testers before public release.
See detailsAndroid TV app
A living-room FilterTube companion for Android TV households.
See detailsAmazon Fire TV app
A Fire TV overview focused on family playback and household confidence.
See detailsEveryday controls
These are the settings people use most: rules, profiles, backups, imports, dates, and device updates.
Current feature
Remove YouTube adverts without changing whether the active profile uses Blocklist or Whitelist rules.
Enabled by default; the extension and native app use platform-specific playback paths.
Current feature
Add words or phrases you do not want appearing in titles, descriptions, or supported comment text.
Use Exact when a short word causes false matches.
Current feature
Block a channel, allow only trusted channels, or use channel IDs and handles without memorizing YouTube URL formats.
Best for creators you always want hidden or always want allowed.
Current feature
Hide comment sections entirely, or use keyword/commenter rules when comments are the part causing the problem.
Useful for calmer watch pages.
Current feature
Remove Shorts shelves, cards, and entry points when short-form scrolling is the habit you want to reduce.
A common first step for families and focus setups.
Current feature
Keep different rule sets for adults, children, study time, or stricter YouTube Kids setups.
Rules stay scoped to the profile you choose.
Current feature
Use PINs so protected profiles and parent settings are not casually opened or changed.
Parent unlock is separate from child profile switching.
Current feature
Export your FilterTube setup before a big change, or keep local backup files for recovery.
Designed to keep control in your hands.
Current feature
Bring in CSV, TXT, JSON, BlockTube-style JSON, or a raw HTTPS list, then review what FilterTube understood before applying it.
Files add rules only; they do not change PINs or profiles.
Current feature
Import channels from the signed-in YouTube account into the current profile whitelist, then choose whether to only store them or turn whitelist mode on.
Useful when a child should only see channels already subscribed.
Current feature
Make a keyword apply only to videos uploaded before, after, or inside a date range.
Useful for multi-part topics or newer content only.
Current feature
A parent device can send approved rules, time, and access to a verified protected device, with optional pickup when the other device opens later.
Live P2P, same-network pickup, and lazy checks are separate paths.
Current feature
FilterTube is built around local rules and public source code, so users can inspect what the product is doing.
Open source and privacy-first by design.
Common questions
Start with the basics. The advanced controls can wait until you need them.
FAQ
Open FilterTube, add one word or one channel you want hidden, then refresh YouTube. Add profiles, PINs, Kids rules, or imports later only if you need them.
FAQ
Exact off is wider. For example, poop can also catch poops or pooping. Exact on is stricter, so poop only matches the word poop.
FAQ
Not if you lock the profile. A child PIN helps stop casual profile switching. The parent or master unlock is still needed to change rules, devices, and backups.
FAQ
No. Filtering is local-first. Device sync can help two trusted devices connect or pick up an update, but it is designed so the helper service cannot read your rules.
FAQ
Email hello@filtertube.in and ask to join Google Play closed testing. Active Android testers help satisfy the Play release path and catch real-device issues before public release.
User feedback
The strongest feedback has been simple: make the product easier to understand, stronger for family setups, and clearer about what works today.
Get started
The safest first step is small: add one keyword or channel, refresh YouTube, and confirm it works. Then build profiles, PINs, imports, or family device updates around that. Android users can also email hello@filtertube.in to join Google Play closed testing.
