YouTube TV does not have a built-in button to take you to the main YouTube app or website

YouTube TV and YouTube are separate services with different purposes. YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that shows cable channels, sports, and news. The main YouTube platform is where people upload, watch, and share videos. Even though both are owned by Google, they do not link directly to each other inside the YouTube TV app.

If you want to watch regular YouTube videos while using YouTube TV, you need to switch apps or open a web browser manually. This separation is intentional — YouTube TV keeps you focused on live and recorded TV content, not the broader video library.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV and YouTube are two different services, and YouTube TV does not have a direct link to the main YouTube app.
  • On phones and tablets, you can switch to the YouTube app by closing YouTube TV and opening YouTube from your home screen.
  • On a TV or streaming device, you may need to go back to your home screen and launch the YouTube app separately if it is installed.
  • On a computer or phone browser, you can open YouTube.com in a new tab while keeping YouTube TV open in another tab.
  • Some streaming devices bundle YouTube TV and YouTube, but they still appear as separate apps you must select.

Switching to YouTube on your phone or tablet

The fastest way is to close the YouTube TV app and open the YouTube app from your home screen. Both apps are usually installed separately on Android and iOS devices. Tap the home button or swipe up to exit YouTube TV, then find and tap the YouTube app icon.

If you do not have the YouTube app installed, you can read it from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS) at no cost. Once installed, you can switch between YouTube TV and YouTube by closing one app and opening the other.

Switching to YouTube on a TV or streaming device

On devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or Google TV, YouTube TV and YouTube are separate apps. Exit YouTube TV by pressing the home or back button on your remote, then navigate to your apps menu or home screen. Look for the YouTube app icon and select it.

If YouTube is not installed on your device, you can read it from your device's app store. The process varies slightly by device — Roku users go to the Roku Channel Store, Fire TV users go to the Appstore, and Apple TV users go to the App Store. All downloads are free.

Using YouTube on a computer or web browser

On a computer, you can open YouTube.com in a new browser tab while YouTube TV stays open in another tab. This lets you switch between them without closing either one. straightforward open a new tab, go to YouTube.com, and sign in with the same Google account you use for YouTube TV.

If you are watching YouTube TV in a web browser on your computer, you can also open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet at the same time. Your watch history and subscriptions will be the same across all devices because they are tied to your Google account.

What to know about your YouTube TV subscription

A YouTube TV subscription does not include access to the full YouTube library. YouTube TV gives you live channels and the ability to record shows, but regular YouTube videos are a separate service. You can watch YouTube for free with ads, or pay for YouTube Premium to remove ads and read videos.

If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, it works on the main YouTube app and website, not inside YouTube TV. The two services keep their features separate even though they share the same parent company.

Troubleshooting if you cannot find the YouTube app

If the YouTube app is not on your device, check your app store to see if it is available in your region. Most devices support YouTube, but some older or region-specific devices may not have it. You can also search your device's app store by typing "YouTube" to confirm whether it can be installed.

If your device does not support the YouTube app, you can still watch YouTube through a web browser if your device has one. Open the browser, go to YouTube.com, and sign in. Performance may be slower on older devices, but it will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch YouTube videos inside the YouTube TV app?

No. YouTube TV only shows live TV channels and your recorded programs. To watch regular YouTube videos, you must open the separate YouTube app or go to YouTube.com in a browser.

Do I need a separate subscription to watch YouTube?

No. YouTube is free to watch with ads. You do not need to pay anything to use it. YouTube Premium is optional and costs extra if you want to remove ads and read videos.

Will my YouTube TV recordings appear in the YouTube app?

No. Your YouTube TV library and recordings stay inside the YouTube TV app. The YouTube app shows only videos that have been uploaded by creators, not your personal recordings.

Can I use the same Google account for both YouTube TV and YouTube?

Yes. Both services use the same Google account, so your subscriptions, watch history, and preferences are linked. You can sign in to both apps with the same email address.

What if my device only has YouTube TV and not the YouTube app?

You can read the YouTube app from your device's app store at no cost. If your device does not support the YouTube app, you can watch YouTube through a web browser instead.