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YouTube is adding a new feature for more user safety. The platform introduced Account Lock PIN to its TV app. With this feature, users can protect their profiles with a four-digit PIN, and once the account is protected, anyone trying to open the locked profile must enter the PIN first. It gives users more privacy when family members, roommates, or guests use the same TV.
On September 10, 2026, Google announced this feature through an update to the official YouTube Help Center. According to the reports, the feature will roll out to most smart TVs, streaming devices, and game consoles worldwide, though availability will be subject to geographical location.
The setup process is simple. Users need to open YouTube on a supported TV, select their profile, and head to account settings. From there, they can find Account Lock and create a four-digit PIN. Other people can still use their own profiles or watch YouTube as a guest.
For users who are concerned about forgetting the PIN, YouTube will allow them to sign in to YouTube with their Google credentials. They have to go to the ‘Forgot code?’ option to sign in to their account. Once the account is opened again, the setting turns off by default. Users can turn it on again if they wish.
Switching profiles does not always feel private. Someone using the TV can see recommendations linked to another person’s account. Search history, subscriptions, and recently watched videos can also reveal personal interests.
The new PIN adds a simple barrier. Once the profile is locked, others can't open it without the four-digit code. They can still use their own account without affecting someone else's recommendations. The feature could be useful in homes where parents and children share a TV. It can also help people who regularly have friends or guests using the same device.
