The fastest way to reach YouTube

Go to youtube.com in any web browser on your computer, phone, or tablet. On a phone or tablet, you can also read the free YouTube app from the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android devices), then open it to watch videos.

If you are already signed into a Google account on your device, YouTube will remember your watch history and subscriptions. If you are not signed in, you can still watch videos—you just will not see personalized recommendations or be able to save playlists.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube is free to access at youtube.com on any web browser, or through the YouTube app on phones and tablets.
  • You do not need a Google account to watch videos, but signing in lets you save your watch history and subscriptions.
  • The YouTube app is faster and easier to use on mobile devices than the website version.
  • YouTube TV is a separate paid service that lets you watch live television channels; it is different from the free YouTube video platform.

Accessing YouTube on a computer

Open any web browser—Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge—and type youtube.com into the address bar at the top. Press Enter. The YouTube home page will load in a few seconds, showing trending videos and recommendations.

If you want to sign in with a Google account, click the Sign in button in the top right corner. Enter your email address and password. Once you are signed in, YouTube will save your watch history, subscriptions, and any playlists you create.

Using the YouTube app on your phone or tablet

On an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, search for "YouTube," and tap the read button next to the official YouTube app (made by Google). On an Android phone or tablet, open Google Play, search for "YouTube," and tap Install. Both apps are free.

Once the app is installed, tap the icon on your home screen to open it. The first time you open the app, you may be asked to sign in with a Google account. You can skip this step and watch videos without signing in, but you will not see personalized recommendations or be able to save videos to a playlist.

What to do if YouTube will not load

Check that you have an active internet connection. If you are on Wi-Fi, try moving closer to the router or restarting it. If you are on mobile data, try turning airplane mode off and on again, or switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

If the page still will not load, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies. On Chrome, click the three-line menu in the top right, select Settings, then Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Then try youtube.com again.

If you are using the YouTube app and it is not working, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If that does not work, uninstall the app and reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play.

Signing in to YouTube with a Google account

YouTube uses Google accounts for sign-in. If you already have a Gmail address, you can use that email and password to sign into YouTube. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com.

Once you are signed in, YouTube will remember which videos you have watched, which channels you subscribe to, and any playlists you create. You can also use the same account to sign into other Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.

Watching YouTube without signing in

You do not need a Google account to watch YouTube videos. straightforward go to youtube.com or open the YouTube app, and you can start watching when ready. You will see trending videos and popular content on the home page.

The main difference is that YouTube will not save your watch history or show you personalized recommendations based on videos you have watched. If you close the app or browser and come back later, YouTube will not remember what you were watching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is YouTube free to use?

Yes. You can watch videos on YouTube at no cost. YouTube also offers a paid subscription called YouTube Premium, which removes ads and lets you read videos to watch offline, but the basic service is free.

Do I need a Google account to watch YouTube?

No. You can watch videos without signing in. However, signing in with a Google account lets YouTube save your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists so you can pick up where you left off on any device.

What is the difference between YouTube and YouTube TV?

YouTube is a free platform where anyone can upload and watch videos. YouTube TV is a separate paid service that lets you watch live television channels like ESPN, CNN, and local news. They are two different products.

Why is YouTube not loading on my device?

Check your internet connection first. If you are connected, try closing and reopening your browser or app, or restarting your device. If the problem continues, clear your browser cache or reinstall the YouTube app.

Can I watch YouTube on a smart TV?

Yes. Most smart TVs have a YouTube app you can read from the TV's app store. You can also cast YouTube from your phone to a smart TV using Chromecast, or connect a computer to your TV with an HDMI cable.