The fastest way to get YouTube on Apple TV
YouTube is built into Apple TV as a pre-installed app on tvOS 7.2 and later. If you own an Apple TV (4th generation or newer), open the App Store on your device, search for YouTube, and tap Install. The app will read and appear on your home screen within seconds. If you already see YouTube on your home screen, you can open it when ready and sign in with your Apple ID or Google account.
If you have an older Apple TV (3rd generation or earlier), YouTube is not available through the App Store. Your options are AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad, or connecting a different streaming device to your television.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube comes pre-installed on Apple TV 4th generation and newer; you may only need to sign in.
- If YouTube is not on your home screen, you can read it free from the Apple TV App Store in under a minute.
- You can sign in with either a Google account or an Apple ID linked to a YouTube channel.
- If you have an Apple TV 3rd generation or older, AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad is the main way to watch YouTube on your television.
Checking what Apple TV model you own
The steps to get YouTube depend on which Apple TV you have. To find out, go to Settings on your Apple TV, then select About. Look for the model name — it will say Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, or Apple TV (with a year in parentheses).
If the About screen shows Apple TV 3rd generation or earlier, YouTube is not available in the App Store. You will need to use AirPlay instead. All other models can read YouTube directly.
Installing YouTube from the Apple TV App Store
On Apple TV 4th generation and newer, YouTube lives in the App Store just like any other app. Press the Apple TV remote's home button to go to the home screen. Scroll right to find the App Store icon (it looks like a blue square with a white plus sign) and select it.
Search for "YouTube" using the remote's keyboard. When you see the YouTube app in the results, select it and tap Install. The read takes less than a minute on most connections. Once installed, YouTube will appear on your home screen, and you can open it right away.
Signing in to YouTube on Apple TV
When you open YouTube for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. You have two options: sign in with a Google account or with an Apple ID that is linked to a YouTube channel.
If you choose Google, the app will show you a code on your television screen. Go to youtube.com/set up on any phone, tablet, or computer, enter that code, and approve the sign-in. Your Apple TV will then be linked to your YouTube account and will remember you the next time you open the app. If you sign in with Apple ID, follow the same process but use your Apple ID credentials instead.
Using AirPlay if you have an older Apple TV
If you own an Apple TV 3rd generation or earlier, the YouTube app is not available. Instead, you can watch YouTube by using AirPlay to send video from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your television.
Open YouTube on your iPhone or iPad, find the video you want to watch, and tap the AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with a circle underneath). Select your Apple TV from the list. The video will start playing on your television, and you can control playback from your device. This method works for any video on YouTube, but you will need to hold or unlock your iPhone or iPad while watching.
Troubleshooting YouTube on Apple TV
If YouTube does not appear in the App Store, make sure your Apple TV is connected to the internet and running the latest version of tvOS. Go to Settings, then System, then Software Updates to check for updates. If an update is available, install it and try searching for YouTube again.
If you installed YouTube but it will not open, try restarting your Apple TV. Hold down the menu button on your remote for about six seconds until the screen goes dark, then release. Wait a few seconds and press any button to turn it back on. Once it restarts, open YouTube again.
If you see a sign-in error, make sure you are using the correct Google account or Apple ID. If you forgot your password, you can reset it on Google.com or Apple.com before trying again on your Apple TV.
Other ways to watch YouTube on your television
If you do not have an Apple TV or prefer a different method, you can watch YouTube on most smart televisions that have YouTube built in, or by connecting a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast to your TV. You can also connect a computer or laptop to your television using an HDMI cable and watch YouTube in a web browser.
If you subscribe to YouTube TV (a separate paid service from the YouTube app), that service also has its own app available on Apple TV 4th generation and newer. Search for "YouTube TV" in the App Store to read it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for YouTube on Apple TV?
No. The YouTube app is free to read and use. You can watch videos without paying anything. If you want to remove ads or read videos for offline viewing, YouTube offers a paid subscription called YouTube Premium, but it is optional.
Can I use YouTube on Apple TV without signing in?
You can browse YouTube without signing in, but you will not see your subscriptions, watch history, or saved playlists. Signing in takes about two minutes and lets you pick up where you left off on other devices.
Why does YouTube keep asking me to sign in again?
This usually happens if your Apple TV has not been used in a long time or if you recently updated tvOS. Try signing in again using the code method described above. If it keeps happening, restart your Apple TV and check that it is running the latest software version.
Can I use AirPlay to watch YouTube if I have a newer Apple TV?
Yes. Even though the YouTube app is available on newer Apple TV models, you can still use AirPlay from your iPhone or iPad if you prefer. Both methods work at the same time.
What should I do if the YouTube app crashes when I open it?
Restart your Apple TV by holding the menu button on your remote for six seconds. If it keeps crashing, try deleting the app and reinstalling it from the App Store. Go to Settings, then Apps, find YouTube, select it, and choose Delete App.