I'm not sure if this should be posted here. Edit: maybe fixed?

[duncang]

But didn’t spot another good spot to post since it’s seems to be browser problem.

Lately when I see a YouTube link sometimes it tells me I need to sign in first to watch the video. I have a iPhone 13 and have never had this problem before. Some of the links work. Some show that black login screen. One post only after I replied I was able to watch the video. It doesn’t even let me bypass and go directly to YouTube. I can go directly to YouTube in another window and watch videos without signing in. Any ideas?


Edit it tells me I need to sign in to confirm I’m not a bot.

It wouldn’t let me view the Biden UN address. But let me view the video about Comer saying the Walz family has been indoctrinated by China. It’s just so random.

Edit2: Just did the update to iOS 18. Tried several videos here and so far only one gave me the bot check notification. But at least I was able to click on it a few times and it worked.

[Think. Again.]

1. Some youtube videos are age protected...

...and a viewer is supposed to be signed in to view them for some reason.

[duncang]

2. But I can go to YouTube directly

By doing a search and see the same video without signing in.

[Think. Again.]

4. Then I don't know...

I don't (and won't) have a youtube account, but I do know every now and then a random video won't be available to me unless I sign on, and the excuse youtube gives is that the video is age restricted, but I'm not sure how youtube would know the age of the people who do sign in.

[canetoad]

7. And even then, if you're signed in

It asks you to provide proof of age such as your credit card or phone number. Like we're all going to blithely give this out.

[Think. Again.]

8. I didn't know about that.

[canetoad]

10. It only applies to videos they consider

Should be age restricted but that's often a completely arbitrary decision that makes no sense, such as historical WW2 videos.

[BootinUp]

3. Maybe it is because there is a long form and

A short form type of link. Or it could have something to do with your browser or with cookies.

[LauraInLA]

5. I am increasingly having trouble visiting different websites on my iPhone (SE 3rd gen). Websites say they've

detected unusual browsing activity, call me a bot, etc. If memory serves me correctly, there was a round of these happenings a couple of months ago. They stopped but have now begun again. This time it was definitely just after I did a software update. I’m now wondering if that was the case last time, and I missed the connection.

My in-house tech expert AKA spouse says Apple may be incurring the wrath of websites as it helps us lock down our privacy controls (or words something like that).

[duncang]

11. I wonder if it could be something with the last update?

Or maybe to do with my Eero Wi-Fi system? I can’t remember when the last update was?


My iPhone and the Eero shows an update available to be done tonight. I’ll try the iPhone first and see what happens. I have to warn family about the Eero at midnight.

Edit: I see the iPhone is giving me the option of a iOS 17 update or going to iOS 18. I’m going with the 18 after I do a backup.

[LauraInLA]

13. I do wonder about the updates. I hadn't considered the Eero (yes, we have one, too!), but this problem

only seems to affect my idevices, not my husband’s androids, etc.

[duncang]

14. I did the update on my iPhone

And so far it seems to be working now. Went with the iOS 18 update.

[duncang]

15. Just thought of another possibility

I wonder if the update cleared my browser cache? I saw something recently about doing the iOS 18 update that mentioned the cache and history.

I don’t know the details on how to do that but you might try clearing it.

[Kammer]

6. VPN

I get that if I'm running my VPN. I disconnect the VPN and it works fine.

[Think. Again.]

9. Instead of disconnecting and leaving myself open...

I just switch locations and that usually works for me.

[duncang]

12. I haven't seen the problem on my computer and it's on a vpn.