YouTube is a video viewing site where you can upload and watch videos in a variety of qualities, from standard video quality support to high-definition video. In some schools and educational institutions, access to this and other similar sites is prohibited in order to support the educational environment. There are several ways to bypass this blocking, for example using Google translator or mobile internet on your phone.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Using Google Translate
Step 1. Open the Google translate tab
Open translate.google.com in your web browser.
- By loading a page using Google Translate, you make the filter think that you are opening something else, but not a blocked website. You can use this method to open almost any blocked website, including YouTube.
- Some popular filters will block google translate. If so, then read on.
Step 2. Change the language on the page on the left
You can install to any language, but not "Detect language".
Step 3. Change the language on the page on the right
Install a language that you can understand later.
If you try to translate from one language into the same, then an error will come out, so choose another language
Step 4. Copy the video URL
Open the video for viewing in another tab of your browser or window, then copy the URL from the address bar.
Step 5. Paste the link into the box on the left of the Google translate page
Remove the word edufilter from the link if it is present there.
Step 6. Click on the link that appears on the right
You will notice that the Google translate bar will be at the top of the page. This is exactly what website blockers are tricking. Leave the bar open while watching the video.
Method 2 of 5: Proxy Access
Step 1. Look for proxy servers on your home computer
There is a good chance that the most popular proxy servers will be blocked at your school. Try to prepare a list of such servers in your home environment.
Step 2. Find the list of proxy servers
A proxy is a website that views the requested content and then passes it to the user. This means that the filters will not be able to detect the fact that you are viewing blocked resources (for example, YouTube); all data will be transmitted through a proxy server.
Step 3. Find a website with a list of available proxy servers
Your search results should display a large number of proxy websites.
Step 4. Make a list with a dozen proxy servers
School network administrators try to block proxies as they appear, making it difficult to find a working server for the school network.
Try a site with different proxy lists
Step 5. Send the list to your own email
You just need to open the list on the school computer.
Step 6. Open the first website on the list
If it is blocked, then try the next one until you find a working one.
Step 7. Enter "YouTube.com" in the URL field
Click on the button to open the website.
Step 8. Wait for YouTube to load
Proxies will not work at home Internet speeds as traffic travels a longer path from the server to you. Videos will take a little longer to load than usual.
Method 3 of 5: Using your phone as a hotspot
Step 1. Know what phones can do
You will need a smartphone with an enabled modem. Most 3G plans provide automatic tethering capability.
By using your phone as a hotspot, you bypass all school filters
Step 2. Open Settings on your iPhone or Android
Step 3. Open the Access Point / Tethering section
- Android - Tap on "Other" in the "Wireless & Networks" section. Click on "Tethering & hotspot".
- iOS - Click on "Personal Hotspot".
Step 4. Turn on the access point
- Android - Check the "Wi-Fi Hotspot" checkbox.
- iOS - Turn on the "Personal Hotspot" feature.
Step 5. Set a password for the wireless connection
- Android - Tap on "Set Wi-Fi Hotspot". Check the box next to "Show password".
- iOS - Tap on "Wi-Fi Password".
Step 6. Connect to the access point from your computer
Click on the wireless network icon on your computer and select your access point. Enter your password and connect.
Step 7. Connect your phone to the computer via USB if there is no wireless adapter on the computer
Once connected, you can select your phone by clicking on the network icon in the system tray (Windows) or on the menu bar (OS X).
Method 4 of 5: Downloading Videos
Step 1. Find the video
If YouTube.com is blocked, search for the video you want using a search engine such as Google. One of the first links in a search result will be a link to a YouTube video.
Step 2. Copy the address
Copy the entire URL of this video. The address should look something like "https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxxxxxxx". Instead of "xxxxxxxx" there will be various letters and numbers.
Step 3. Find a site to download the video
There are many sites from which you can download YouTube videos. Search for "Download video from YouTube".
- Copy the video URL into the URL field on the video download website. Click on the download button.
- When you first visit a site, you will need to run a Java script, but only if you fully trust this site. Search the Internet for information about this site to make sure it is safe.
- It is possible that you will not be able to run the Java script when required. In this case, you will not be able to download videos from the school.
Step 4. Download the video
A list of download options will appear. These options will be different video formats and their quality. The most common formats are FLV and MP4.
- You may need to install a video player to play the downloaded video. VLC Player is a video player that plays almost all existing video file formats.
- The number in front of the letter "P" indicates the quality of the given video. Videos with 480P and above have the best quality.
- If all you need is audio, download the video in MP3 format. This is an audio file that fits any audio player.
Method 5 of 5: Find Alternative Video Sites
Step 1. Find another site that contains the video
For various educational videos, alternatives to YouTube are TeacherTube and SchoolTube. These sites are not blocked by the school network as their content is educational and usually strictly controlled.
Step 2. Find your desired video through search engines
Look for videos on sites other than YouTube. There is a chance that these sites will not be blocked by the school network. When visiting unknown sites, be extremely careful as they may contain viruses and malware.