YouTube TV may not appear on your Samsung TV because the app isn't pre-installed, your TV model doesn't support it, or the app needs to be downloaded from the Samsung app store
YouTube TV is not built into most Samsung televisions the way some other streaming apps are. You have to read it yourself, and not every Samsung TV can run it. The app works on Samsung Smart TVs made in 2016 or later that run Tizen (Samsung's operating system), but older models and some budget Samsung TVs don't have access to it. If you've looked through your apps and can't find it, the first step is checking whether your TV model supports YouTube TV at all.
The second reason you might not see it is that you're looking in the wrong place. Samsung TVs don't have a single "app store" icon like a phone does. Instead, you access apps through the home screen menu, and YouTube TV lives in the Samsung TV Plus app store, which is built into the TV but not always obvious to find.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV requires a Samsung Smart TV from 2016 or later running Tizen; older models and some budget TVs cannot read it.
- The app is not pre-installed and must be downloaded from the Samsung TV Plus app store, accessed through your TV's home screen menu.
- If the app store won't load or shows an error, restart your TV, check your internet connection, and sign in to your Samsung account.
- YouTube TV on Samsung TV requires a paid subscription; the free trial period, if available, depends on current promotions and varies by region.
- If your TV model is too old or doesn't support YouTube TV, you can use a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV instead.
How to read YouTube TV on a Samsung TV
Start by pressing the Home button on your Samsung remote. This takes you to the main menu screen. Look for an icon labeled "Apps" or "Samsung TV Plus" — it usually appears as a grid of squares or a store icon. Select it and wait for the app store to load.
Once the app store opens, use the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon at the top) and type "YouTube TV". The official YouTube TV app should appear in the results. Select it and choose "read" or "Install". The read takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed. After installation finishes, you'll see an "Open" button. Select that to launch the app for the first time.
When YouTube TV opens, you'll be asked to sign in with a Google account. Use the same Google account you use on your phone or computer. If you already have a YouTube TV subscription, your account will load automatically. If you don't have a subscription yet, the app will show you the option to start one.
What to do if the app store won't open or the app won't read
If the Samsung TV Plus app store won't load or freezes, restart your TV completely. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the TV's temporary memory and often fixes loading problems. Once it restarts, try opening the app store again.
If the app store loads but YouTube TV won't read, check your internet connection. Go to your TV's Settings menu, select Network, and verify that your TV is connected to Wi-Fi. If it shows connected but the read still fails, try disconnecting and reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network. Sometimes the connection becomes unstable without showing an error.
If you're still seeing an error message, make sure you're signed in to your Samsung account on the TV. Go to Settings, select Account, and check that you're logged in. YouTube TV downloads require an active Samsung account. If you don't have one, you can create one for free through the TV's settings menu.
Checking whether your Samsung TV supports YouTube TV
YouTube TV works on Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 onward. To find your TV's model year, go to Settings, select About This TV, and look for the model number. It usually starts with letters like "UN" followed by numbers. The numbers typically include the year — for example, "UN55RU8000" means 2019 (the "8" in the middle often indicates the year).
If your TV is older than 2016 or you can't find a clear year, check Samsung's official support page by searching "YouTube TV Samsung TV compatibility" and looking for the Samsung Help page. You can also call Samsung customer service with your model number, and they'll tell you whether YouTube TV is available for your TV.
Some budget Samsung TV models, even newer ones, don't have access to YouTube TV because they run a limited version of Tizen. If your TV genuinely doesn't support the app, you'll see a message saying "This app is not available for your device" when you search for it in the app store. In that case, a streaming device is your next option.
Using a streaming device if your TV doesn't support YouTube TV
If your Samsung TV is too old or doesn't support YouTube TV, you can plug in an external streaming device. YouTube TV is available on Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Android TV devices. These devices cost between $25 and $100 depending on the model and features.
A Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Amazon Fire Stick 4K are the most affordable options and work with almost any TV, including older Samsung models. You plug the device into an HDMI port on the back of your TV, connect it to Wi-Fi, and read YouTube TV from that device's app store instead of from your TV. The experience is nearly identical to using the TV app.
If you already own a smart TV device like an Apple TV or Chromecast, YouTube TV is likely already available in that device's app store. Check the app store on the device itself rather than on your TV.
Signing in and setting up YouTube TV after read
After you open YouTube TV for the first time, the app will ask you to sign in with a Google account. You can use any Google account — it doesn't have to be a Gmail address, though most people use one. If you're signing in on a shared TV, you can add multiple Google accounts so different household members can access their own subscriptions and watch history.
Once you're signed in, YouTube TV will show you live channels, on-demand shows, and your personal library. If you don't have an active YouTube TV subscription, the app will prompt you to start one. YouTube TV is a paid service; there is no free version. Some promotions offer a trial period, but the length and availability of trials vary by region and change throughout the year.
If you already subscribe to YouTube TV through another device or your phone, your subscription will work when ready on the Samsung TV app. You don't need to pay twice or set up a new account.
Troubleshooting sign-in problems and account issues
If you can't remember your Google password, you'll need to reset it on a computer or phone before you can sign in on the TV. Go to accounts.google.com on any device, select "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to reset it. Once you've reset your password, try signing in on the TV again using the new password.
If you're signed in but YouTube TV shows an error or won't load content, restart the app. Press the Home button on your remote, navigate back to YouTube TV, and open it again. If the problem persists, restart your TV and your internet router. Unplug both for 30 seconds, plug them back in, and wait for them to fully restart before opening YouTube TV again.
If you're trying to sign in with a Google account that has parental controls or restricted access enabled, YouTube TV may not load. Check your Google account settings on a computer to make sure the account isn't restricted. If you're using a work or school Google account, it may have policies that prevent streaming apps from working. In that case, use a personal Google account instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is YouTube TV not showing up in my Samsung app store?
YouTube TV only works on Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 or later. If your TV is older, the app won't appear in the store at all. If your TV is newer but YouTube TV still doesn't show up, your internet connection may be unstable, or you may not be signed in to your Samsung account. Try restarting your TV and checking your Wi-Fi connection.
Do I need a Samsung account to read YouTube TV?
Yes, you need to be signed in to a Samsung account to read apps from the Samsung TV Plus store. You can create a free Samsung account directly on your TV through the Settings menu. You don't need to pay anything for the account itself — it's only YouTube TV's subscription that costs money.
Can I use YouTube TV on my Samsung TV without a subscription?
No. YouTube TV is a paid streaming service. There is no free version. Some regions occasionally offer a trial period, but you must have an active paid subscription to watch. The subscription price and available trial periods vary by location and change throughout the year.
What should I do if the YouTube TV app keeps crashing on my Samsung TV?
First, restart the app by pressing Home and reopening it. If it crashes again, restart your TV completely by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If crashes continue, uninstall YouTube TV, restart your TV, and read it again from the app store. Make sure your TV's software is up to date by checking Settings and looking for system updates.
Can I watch YouTube TV on my older Samsung TV using a different method?
Yes. You can use a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV, which you plug into an HDMI port. These devices work with any TV, regardless of age. You read YouTube TV on the streaming device instead of on your TV, and the experience is the same.