The basic sign-in process

To sign in to YouTube, go to youtube.com and click the Sign in button in the top right corner. You'll see it next to the user icon. Enter the email address or phone number connected to your Google account, then click Next. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If you have two-step verification turned on, you'll be asked to confirm your identity using a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.

Once you're signed in, your profile picture or initial will appear in the top right corner. You can click it to see your channel, subscriptions, and account settings. If you're signing in on a phone or tablet, the process is the same—tap Sign in at the bottom of the screen.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube sign-in uses your Google account email and password, which you create or link when you first set up YouTube.
  • If you don't have a Google account yet, you can create one for free during the YouTube sign-in process.
  • Two-step verification adds a security layer by requiring a code from your phone or authenticator app after you enter your password.
  • If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen and follow Google's account recovery steps.
  • You can stay signed in on multiple devices at once, and sign out of any device from your Google account settings.

If you don't have a Google account yet

YouTube requires a Google account to sign in. If you don't have one, you can create it during the sign-in process. Click Create account instead of Sign in, then choose whether you're creating it for yourself or to manage for a child. Fill in your name, choose an email address (you can use an existing email or create a new Gmail address), create a password, and add your phone number and recovery email. Google will send a verification code to your phone—enter it to confirm.

Once your Google account is created, you're automatically signed into YouTube. You can then customize your channel name, add a profile picture, and start watching or uploading videos.

Signing in on different devices

The sign-in steps are the same whether you're using a computer, phone, or tablet, but the layout looks slightly different. On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube app or go to youtube.com in your browser. Tap the profile icon at the bottom right (on the app) or top right (in a browser), then tap Sign in. Enter your email and password as you would on a computer.

If you're signing in on a shared device—like a family computer or a tablet in a common room—make sure you sign out when you're done. This prevents other people from accessing your account, subscriptions, and watch history. You can sign out by tapping your profile icon and selecting Sign out.

What to do if you forget your password

If you can't remember your password, click Forgot password? on the YouTube sign-in screen. You'll be taken to Google's account recovery page. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, then send a verification code to your phone or recovery email.

Enter the code, and you'll be able to create a new password. Make sure your new password is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Once you've set a new password, you can sign back into YouTube right away.

Two-step verification and account security

Two-step verification is an extra security layer that protects your account if someone learns your password. When it's turned on, you'll need to confirm your identity with a code after entering your password. Google can send the code by text message, phone call, or through an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.

To turn on two-step verification, sign into your Google account, go to Security in the left menu, and click 2-Step Verification. Follow the prompts to choose how you want to receive codes. You'll also get backup codes to save in a safe place—use these if you can't access your phone. Two-step verification is optional, but it's worth setting up if you watch or upload sensitive content, or if your account is important to you.

Staying signed in and managing multiple devices

YouTube lets you stay signed in on multiple devices at once. You can watch on your phone, your computer, and a tablet all with the same account without signing out. Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists sync across all of them. If you want to sign out of a specific device, open YouTube on that device, click your profile icon, and select Sign out.

If you think someone else has signed into your account without permission, go to your Google Account security page, click Your devices, and review the list of devices signed in. You can sign out of any device remotely from this page. If you see a device you don't recognize, change your password when ready and turn on two-step verification if you haven't already.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different email address to sign into YouTube?

No—YouTube uses your Google account email to sign in. If you want to use a different email, you can change the email address on your Google account itself, but this affects all Google services tied to that account. You can also create a new Google account with a different email and use that to sign into YouTube.

What if I see a message saying my account is locked?

Google locks accounts temporarily if it detects unusual activity, like someone trying to sign in from an unfamiliar location. Click Check your activity on the lock message and confirm whether the sign-in attempt was you. If it wasn't, change your password and turn on two-step verification. Your account will unlock within a few hours.

Can I sign into YouTube without a Google account?

No—YouTube requires a Google account to sign in and upload videos. You can watch videos without signing in, but you won't be able to save playlists, subscribe to channels, or see personalized recommendations. Creating a Google account is free and takes about five minutes.

How do I sign out of YouTube on all devices at once?

Go to your Google Account security page, click Your devices, and select Sign out of all other devices. This signs you out everywhere except the device you're currently using. You'll need to sign back in on any device you want to use YouTube on.