Sign in with your Google account on any device

YouTube uses your Google account to sign you in. If you already have a Gmail address or any other Google account, you use those same login details for YouTube. Go to youtube.com, click the profile icon in the top right corner, and select "Sign in". Enter your email address or phone number, then your password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.

On phones and tablets, open the YouTube app, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, and tap "Sign in". The process is the same: enter your Google account email and password. If you do not have a Google account yet, you can create one during this step by selecting "Create account" instead of signing in.

YouTube remembers your sign-in on the device you use, so you only have to do this once per device. If you share a device with other people, each person can have their own YouTube account and profile on that device.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube sign-in uses your Google account email and password — the same login you use for Gmail or any other Google service.
  • On a computer, click the profile icon in the top right corner of youtube.com and select "Sign in".
  • On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube app, tap your profile icon, and tap "Sign in".
  • If you do not have a Google account, you can create one during the sign-in process at no cost.
  • Once you sign in on a device, YouTube stays signed in until you manually sign out.

Signing in on a computer or web browser

Open youtube.com in any web browser. Look for the profile icon — a small circle or silhouette — in the top right corner of the page. Click it and a menu will drop down. Select "Sign in" from that menu. You will be taken to a Google sign-in page.

Type your full email address or the phone number linked to your Google account. Click "Next". On the next screen, type your password and click "Next" again. If your account has two-factor authentication enabled, Google will ask you to verify your identity. You may receive a code by text message, email, or through an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Enter that code and click "Next".

After you sign in, you will return to YouTube and see your profile icon in the top right corner. Your subscriptions, watch history, and saved playlists will now be visible to you.

Signing in on the YouTube mobile app

Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. At the bottom of the screen, you will see several icons. Tap the profile icon — it looks like a person's silhouette — on the far right. If you are not signed in, you will see a "Sign in" button. Tap it.

You will see a list of Google accounts already on your device, or an option to use another account. If your Google account is listed, tap it. If not, tap "Use another account" and enter your email address or phone number. Then enter your password. Complete any two-factor verification if prompted.

Once signed in, tap your profile icon again to see your account menu. From there you can access your subscriptions, watch history, and settings. Your YouTube activity will now be saved to your account.

What to do if you forgot your password

If you cannot remember your Google account password, click "Forgot password?" on the Google sign-in page. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or will send a recovery code to your phone or backup email address. Follow the steps to reset your password.

If you do not have access to the phone number or email address linked to your account, you may need to answer security questions you set up when you created the account. If you cannot recover your account this way, visit the Google Account Recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery to explore other options.

Signing in on a smart TV or streaming device

On a smart TV, game console, or streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV, open the YouTube app. You will see a sign-in screen with a code — usually a blue or white code displayed on your TV. On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/signin and enter that code. This links your YouTube account to the device without typing your password on the TV remote.

Alternatively, some devices let you enter your email and password directly using the remote or on-screen keyboard. The exact steps depend on your device, but the sign-in process is the same: use your Google account credentials.

Staying signed in and signing out

YouTube stays signed in on your device until you manually sign out. This means you do not have to enter your password every time you open YouTube. If you share a device with others, you can sign out when you are done. On a computer, click your profile icon and select "Sign out". On the YouTube app, tap your profile icon and select "Sign out".

If you are using a public or shared computer, always sign out when you finish. This prevents others from accessing your account, watch history, and personal settings. On a personal device that only you use, staying signed in is safe and convenient.

Troubleshooting common sign-in problems

If you see an error message when trying to sign in, first check that you are using the correct email address or phone number for your Google account. Make sure your internet connection is working. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then refresh the page and try again.

If you are still having trouble, your account may have unusual activity or a security issue. Google may temporarily lock your account for protection. Visit accounts.google.com and follow the prompts to verify your identity and regain access. If you are using a work or school account, contact your organization's IT department — they may have additional security requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Google account to watch YouTube videos?

No. You can watch most YouTube videos without signing in. However, signing in lets you save videos to playlists, subscribe to channels, and see personalized recommendations based on your viewing history.

Can I use a YouTube account without a Google account?

No. YouTube is owned by Google and uses Google accounts for sign-in. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free during the YouTube sign-in process. You do not need a Gmail address — you can use any email you already have.

What if I see "This account has been disabled" when I try to sign in?

Your account may have been disabled due to repeated violations of YouTube's Community Guidelines or Google's Terms of Service. Visit accounts.google.com/signin/recovery to see if you can appeal the decision. If your account was hacked, follow the account recovery steps to regain access.

Can I sign into YouTube on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes. You can be signed into your YouTube account on as many devices as you want at the same time. Your watch history and subscriptions sync across all devices, so your activity on one device appears on the others.

Why does YouTube keep signing me out?

If your browser automatically clears cookies when you close it, YouTube will sign you out each time. Check your browser settings and disable "Clear cookies on exit" if you want to stay signed in. On the YouTube app, this usually does not happen unless you manually sign out or uninstall the app.