The fastest way to get YouTube TV on Samsung
The easiest method is to read the YouTube TV app directly from the Samsung TV App Store. On your Samsung TV remote, press the Home button, navigate to Apps, then search for "YouTube TV." Select it, choose Install, and sign in with your Google account once the app opens. This takes about five minutes and works on most Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later.
If you cannot find YouTube TV in your TV's app store, your Samsung model may be older or use an incompatible system. In that case, you can use a streaming device plugged into your TV's HDMI port — a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV all support YouTube TV and cost between $25 and $70.
A third option is to cast YouTube TV from your phone or computer to your Samsung TV if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. This works when ready but requires you to hold your phone or keep your computer running the whole time you watch.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later usually have the YouTube TV app available in the built-in App Store, which is the simplest installation method.
- You will need a Google account to sign in to YouTube TV after installing the app.
- If your Samsung TV does not support the app, a streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick plugged into an HDMI port will work instead.
- Casting from your phone or computer to your TV works without installing anything but requires your phone or computer to stay connected.
Installing YouTube TV from the Samsung App Store
Start by pressing the Home button on your Samsung remote. This opens the main menu on your TV screen. Navigate to the Apps section — it is usually a grid icon or labeled "Apps" on the home screen.
Once you are in Apps, look for a search function, often shown as a magnifying glass icon. Select it and type "YouTube TV" into the search box. The app should appear in the results. Select it, then choose the Install button. The read and installation usually take one to three minutes depending on your internet speed.
After installation finishes, select Open or Launch. The app will ask you to sign in. You can either enter your Google account credentials directly on the TV using the remote keyboard, or you can use your phone: the app will show a code on your TV screen that you enter on YouTube.com/tv/signin on your phone, which signs you in faster.
What to do if YouTube TV is not in your app store
Samsung TVs older than 2016, or those running Tizen operating systems that Samsung no longer updates, may not have YouTube TV available. Check your TV's model year and operating system in Settings to confirm, but if the app does not appear after searching, it is not supported on that model.
The solution is to use an external streaming device. Plug a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast with Google TV, or Apple TV into one of your TV's HDMI ports. Each of these devices has YouTube TV in its app store. Once you set up the device and connect it to your Wi-Fi, read YouTube TV the same way you would on a Samsung TV — search the device's app store, install, and sign in.
If you already own one of these devices, this costs nothing. If you need to buy one, Roku and Fire Stick are the least expensive at $25 to $40, while Chromecast with Google TV runs about $50 and Apple TV starts at $99.
Casting YouTube TV from your phone or computer
If you have the YouTube TV app on your phone or are watching on a computer, you can send the video to your Samsung TV without installing anything. Both your phone or computer and your TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
On an Android phone or iPhone, open the YouTube TV app, start playing a show, and look for the Cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner. Tap it, select your Samsung TV from the list, and the video will play on your TV while you control it from your phone.
On a computer, open YouTube TV in your web browser, start a show, and click the Cast icon in the top right corner of the player. Select your TV, and the stream will move to your screen. Your computer can stay in the background, but it must remain connected to Wi-Fi and cannot go to sleep.
Signing in and setting up your account
After the YouTube TV app opens on your TV for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. You need a Google account — this can be a Gmail address or any email address linked to a Google account. If you do not have one, you can create one free at google.com.
You have two ways to sign in. The first is to use your TV remote to type your email and password directly into the TV. This is slower because the remote keyboard is clunky. The faster way is to select "Sign in on another device," which shows a code on your TV screen. On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/tv/signin, enter that code, and sign in there. Your TV will automatically sign in within seconds.
Once you are signed in, your YouTube TV subscription and watch history will appear on your TV. If you do not yet have a YouTube TV subscription, you can start a trial or subscribe directly through the app.
Troubleshooting connection and app problems
If the YouTube TV app will not read, first check that your Samsung TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the connection is stable. Restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it restarts, try downloading the app again.
If the app installs but will not open, or if you see an error message, restart the TV again and then try opening the app. If it still does not work, go to Settings on your TV, find Apps or process Manager, select YouTube TV, and choose Uninstall. Then read it fresh from the App Store.
If you are signed in but the app keeps asking you to sign in again, your TV's date and time settings may be wrong. Go to Settings, find Date and Time, and make sure both are set correctly. An incorrect date or time can prevent the app from staying signed in.
If you have internet but YouTube TV loads slowly or buffers, move your TV closer to your Wi-Fi router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. You can also check your internet speed at speedtest.net — YouTube TV needs at least 3 Mbps for standard definition and 7 Mbps for HD.
Using YouTube TV with multiple Samsung TVs
If you have more than one Samsung TV in your home, you can install YouTube TV on each one using the same Google account. Sign in on the first TV, then go to the second TV, read the app, and sign in with the same account. Your subscription covers all of them, and you can watch on multiple TVs at the same time depending on your YouTube TV plan.
If you want to use different Google accounts on different TVs, you can do that too. Just sign out on one TV and sign in with a different account on another. YouTube TV will keep track of each account's separate watch history and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use YouTube TV on a Samsung TV that is not connected to the internet?
No. YouTube TV streams over the internet, so your TV must be connected to Wi-Fi or have an ethernet cable plugged in. If your TV is not near your router, consider moving the router, using a Wi-Fi extender, or switching to an ethernet connection if your TV has an ethernet port.
Do I need a separate YouTube TV subscription for each TV?
No. One YouTube TV subscription works on all your TVs and devices as long as you sign in with the same Google account. You can watch on multiple TVs at once depending on your plan.
What if I have a very old Samsung TV that does not have an app store?
Older Samsung TVs without smart TV features cannot read apps. Use a streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick instead. Plug it into an HDMI port, set it up, read YouTube TV on the device, and sign in.
Can I use a Samsung TV remote to control YouTube TV?
Yes. Once YouTube TV is installed and running, your Samsung remote controls playback, volume, and navigation through the app. Some newer Samsung remotes have a microphone for voice search, which also works in YouTube TV.
Is there a cost to read the YouTube TV app?
The app itself is free. You only pay if you want a YouTube TV subscription to watch live TV and on-demand shows. The subscription cost varies by plan and region.