Switch accounts directly from your profile menu

The fastest way to change YouTube accounts is through the profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. Click or tap that icon, and you will see a list of all accounts linked to your device. Select the account you want to use, and YouTube loads that account's home page, subscriptions, and watch history when ready.

This method works on computers, phones, and tablets. You stay logged in to all your accounts at once — switching between them does not sign you out of the others. If you have only one account linked, the profile menu still appears but shows just that account.

The same profile menu also lets you add a new account to your device without signing out of your current one. Select "Add account," then enter the email and password for the account you want to link. YouTube remembers it from that point forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select a different account from the dropdown list to switch when ready without signing out.
  • You can link multiple accounts to one device and switch between them without entering passwords each time.
  • Adding a new account through the profile menu keeps your other accounts logged in on that device.
  • On phones and tablets, the profile icon location is the same but the menu layout may differ slightly depending on your device type.
  • If you want to remove an account from your device, open the profile menu, select the account, and choose the option to remove it.

Add a new account to your device

To link another YouTube account without signing out of your current one, tap or click your profile icon and select "Add account." YouTube will ask for the email address and password of the account you want to add. Enter those details, and the account becomes available in your profile menu from that moment on.

This is useful if you manage multiple channels, have a work account and a personal account, or share a device with family members. Each person can have their own account linked and ready to use. YouTube keeps track of which account is active and shows that account's recommendations, playlists, and history.

You can link as many accounts as you want to a single device. There is no limit to how many appear in your profile menu, though most people link between two and five.

Remove an account from your device

If you no longer want an account to appear in your profile menu, open the menu, find the account you want to remove, and look for a "Remove this account" or similar option. The exact wording depends on whether you are on a computer, phone, or tablet, but the function is the same across all devices.

Removing an account from your device does not delete the account itself — it only stops YouTube from remembering it on that particular device. The account still exists and can be added back later by entering the password again.

If you are the only person using the device and you remove your only account, you will be signed out of YouTube completely. You can sign back in at any time by entering your email and password on the YouTube home page.

Switch accounts on phones and tablets

On Android and iPhone, the profile icon is in the top right corner of the YouTube app, just as it is on a computer. Tap it to see your list of linked accounts. The menu works the same way: select an account to switch to it, or tap "Add account" to link a new one.

If you are using YouTube in a mobile web browser rather than the app, the profile menu is in the same location and functions identically. The only difference is that the browser version may load slightly slower on older phones.

On tablets, the layout is the same as phones. YouTube automatically adjusts the menu size to fit your screen, so the process is consistent whether you are using a small phone or a large tablet.

Sign out completely instead of switching

If you want to sign out of all accounts on your device rather than just switch between them, open your profile menu and scroll to the bottom. Select "Sign out" or "Sign out of all accounts," depending on your device. YouTube will remove all linked accounts from that device.

After you sign out completely, the YouTube home page will show general recommendations instead of personalized ones. You can sign back in by clicking "Sign in" and entering your email and password.

Complete sign-out is useful if you are using a shared or public device and do not want your account information to remain on it. It is different from removing a single account — it clears everything at once.

Troubleshoot account switching problems

If your profile menu does not show all your accounts, refresh the page or close and reopen the YouTube app. Sometimes the menu does not load completely on the first try, especially on slower connections.

If you cannot remember the password for an account you want to switch to, use the "Forgot password?" link on the YouTube sign-in page. You will need access to the email address associated with that account to reset the password. Once you reset it, you can add the account to your device again.

If you are trying to add an account and YouTube says the account does not exist, double-check the email address and make sure you are using the correct spelling. YouTube accounts are tied to email addresses, and even a small typo will prevent the account from being found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch accounts without signing out of the others?

Yes. YouTube lets you link multiple accounts to one device and switch between them when ready through the profile menu. All accounts stay logged in at the same time, so you can jump between them without entering passwords.

What happens to my watch history when I switch accounts?

Each account has its own watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations. When you switch to a different account, YouTube shows that account's history and personalized suggestions. Your previous account's history remains unchanged.

Can I add someone else's account to my device?

Yes, if you have their email and password. However, you should only add accounts you own or accounts belonging to people you trust with access to your device. Anyone with access to the device can switch to any linked account without a password.

Does switching accounts on one device affect my account on other devices?

No. Switching accounts on your phone, computer, or tablet does not change anything on your other devices. Each device maintains its own list of linked accounts independently.

What if I forgot which email is linked to my YouTube account?

Go to YouTube.com, click "Sign in," and enter the email you think is correct. If it is wrong, YouTube will tell you the account does not exist. Try other email addresses you may have used. If you still cannot find it, use the account recovery process on Google's sign-in page.