Creating a YouTube account takes five minutes and requires only a Google account

YouTube accounts are tied to Google accounts. If you already have a Gmail address, a Google account, or use any other Google service, you already have what you need — you can sign into YouTube when ready with those credentials. If you do not have a Google account yet, you will create one first, then use it to access YouTube.

The process is the same whether you are signing up on a computer, phone, or tablet. YouTube will ask for a name, email address, password, and birth date. Once you complete those steps, your account is active and you can start watching, creating playlists, and subscribing to channels right away.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Google account to use YouTube; if you have Gmail or use Google services, you already have one.
  • The sign-up process asks for a name, email, password, and birth date, and takes about five minutes on any device.
  • You can sign in on YouTube.com, the YouTube app, or through any device that has YouTube built in, like a smart TV or gaming console.
  • Once signed in, you can when ready start watching videos, subscribing to channels, and saving videos to playlists without any additional steps.
  • If you forget your password, you can reset it using your recovery email or phone number linked to your Google account.

Sign up with a new Google account

Go to accounts.google.com/signup in your web browser. You will see a form asking for your first name, last name, desired email address (the part before @gmail.com), and a password you create. The email address becomes your username for YouTube and all other Google services.

Enter your birth date and select your gender. Google asks for this information to verify your age and to customize your experience. Next, add a phone number for account recovery — this is optional but recommended, because it is the fastest way to regain access if you forget your password.

Review Google's terms of service and privacy policy, then click "I agree" to finish. Google will send a verification code to your phone or email. Enter that code to confirm your account is real. Once verified, your Google account is active and you can sign into YouTube when ready.

Sign in to YouTube on a computer

Open YouTube.com in your web browser. In the top right corner, click the "Sign in" button. Enter the email address or phone number you used to create 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 for your Google account, you will be asked to confirm your identity using a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. Enter that code and click "Next." You are now signed into YouTube and can access your subscriptions, watch history, and saved playlists.

Sign in on the YouTube mobile app

read the YouTube app from the Apple App Store if you use an iPhone or iPad, or from Google Play if you use an Android phone. Open the app and tap the profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Sign in." Enter your Google account email address and tap "Next."

Type your password and tap "Next." If two-step verification is enabled, complete that step using the code sent to your phone. Once you are signed in, the app will remember your account on that device. You can switch between multiple YouTube accounts by tapping the profile icon and selecting a different account from the list.

Sign in on smart TVs and other devices

YouTube is built into many smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles. To sign in on these devices, open the YouTube app or channel. You will see a sign-in screen with a code — write down this code or take a photo of it.

On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/signin and enter the code shown on your TV. Sign in with your Google account credentials on the phone or computer. Your TV will automatically sign in and remember your account. You can now watch your subscriptions and saved videos on the big screen without typing your password on the TV remote.

What to do if you forget your password

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery in your web browser. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Google account. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number you set up when you created the account.

If you have a recovery phone number on file, Google will text you a code. Enter that code to confirm you own the account. You will then be able to create a new password. If you do not have a recovery phone number or email, Google may ask security questions or other verification methods. Once your identity is confirmed, you can set a new password and sign back into YouTube.

Signing in across multiple devices

Your YouTube account works on as many devices as you want to sign into. You can be logged in on your phone, computer, and TV at the same time. Each device stores your sign-in information separately, so signing out on one device does not affect the others.

If you want to sign out of YouTube on a specific device, open the app or website, tap or click your profile icon, and select "Sign out." If you think someone else has signed into your account without permission, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, scroll to "Your devices," and click "Manage all devices." You can see where your account is signed in and sign out of any device remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a credit card to create a YouTube account?

No. Creating a YouTube account and watching videos is free and does not require a credit card. You only need a credit card if you want to purchase items like YouTube Premium, movies, or TV shows — and even then, you can use other payment methods like debit cards or gift cards.

Can I use a YouTube account without a Google account?

No. YouTube is owned by Google and all YouTube accounts are Google accounts. You cannot create a YouTube-only account. However, you can create a Google account using any email address, not just Gmail — you can use your work email or any other email you own.

What if I already have a Google account but have never used YouTube?

Go to YouTube.com and click "Sign in" in the top right. Enter your Google account email and password. YouTube will create a channel for you automatically using your Google account name. You can change your channel name and add a profile picture after you sign in.

Can I create a YouTube account for someone under 13?

Google does not allow independent accounts for users under 13 in most countries. If you are a parent or guardian, you can set up a supervised account through Google Family Link, which lets a child use YouTube under parental controls. The child's account is linked to a parent account and the parent can manage what the child watches.

Is my YouTube password the same as my Gmail password?

Yes. Your YouTube password is your Google account password. If you change your password in Gmail or any other Google service, the change applies to YouTube as well. You use the same password to sign into all Google services.