The fastest way to watch YouTube on Apple TV
The simplest method is to read the YouTube app directly from the Apple TV App Store. Open the App Store on your Apple TV, search for "YouTube," and install the official app made by Google. Once installed, sign in with your Google account, and you can start watching when ready. This works on all Apple TV models from 4th generation onward (released 2015 or later).
If you have an older Apple TV (3rd generation or earlier), the YouTube app is not available through the App Store. In that case, you can use AirPlay to mirror YouTube from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your TV instead.
Key Takeaways
- read the YouTube app from the Apple TV App Store and sign in with your Google account to watch on any Apple TV from 2015 onward.
- If you own an older Apple TV (3rd generation or earlier), use AirPlay to send YouTube from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your television.
- The YouTube app on Apple TV lets you watch your subscriptions, playlists, and recommendations without needing a separate device.
- You can use the same Google account across multiple Apple TVs in your home, and your watch history syncs between devices.
Installing the YouTube app from the App Store
Start on your Apple TV home screen. Press the Menu button on your remote to open the Control Center, then navigate to the App Store icon (it looks like a blue square with a white app symbol). Open the App Store and use the search function at the top of the screen.
Type "YouTube" into the search box. The official YouTube app by Google appears at the top of the results. Select it and press the Install button. The app downloads and installs automatically—this usually takes less than a minute. Once installation is complete, you can open the app directly from the search results or find it on your home screen.
When you open YouTube for the first time, you will be asked to sign in. You can either enter your Google account credentials directly on the TV, or use a faster method: the app will show you a code on your screen. Go to youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer, enter that code, and your Apple TV will sign in automatically.
Using AirPlay if you have an older Apple TV
If your Apple TV is 3rd generation or older, the YouTube app is not available. Instead, you can use AirPlay to send video from YouTube on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to your television. This lets you watch YouTube content without downloading an app to the TV itself.
On an iPhone or iPad, open YouTube in the Safari browser or the YouTube app. Look for the AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with a circle underneath) in the video player controls. Tap it and select your Apple TV from the list. The video will begin playing on your TV, and you can control playback from your device.
On a Mac, open YouTube in your web browser, click the AirPlay icon in the video player, and select your Apple TV. Your Mac's audio will play through your TV speakers, and the video will display on your television screen. You can continue using your Mac for other tasks while the video plays.
Signing in and managing your account
After you sign in to YouTube on your Apple TV, the app remembers your account. Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists sync across all your devices—if you watch a video on your phone, it will show as watched on your Apple TV, and vice versa.
If you want to sign out, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Accounts and Sign In, find YouTube, and choose Sign Out. If multiple people in your household watch YouTube, each person can sign in with their own Google account on the same Apple TV. The TV will remember all accounts, and each person's recommendations and history stay separate.
To change your YouTube settings—like turning off autoplay or adjusting video quality—open the YouTube app, go to Settings (usually found in the menu), and adjust your preferences. Some settings, like restricted mode, can only be changed from the YouTube website on a computer.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the YouTube app will not install, make sure your Apple TV is connected to the internet and running the latest tvOS version. Go to Settings, then System, then Software Updates to check for and install any available updates. After updating, try installing YouTube again.
If you sign in but the app shows an error or will not load videos, try signing out completely, restarting the Apple TV (unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in), and signing in again. If the problem persists, delete the YouTube app entirely by pressing and holding its icon on the home screen, selecting Delete, and then reinstalling it fresh from the App Store.
If AirPlay is not working on an older Apple TV, make sure your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV. Restart both devices and try again. If you still cannot connect, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
What to expect when you first open YouTube
When you open the YouTube app on Apple TV for the first time after signing in, you will see your home feed with recommended videos based on your watch history and subscriptions. The interface is designed for a television screen, with large tiles you can navigate using your Apple TV remote.
You can search for videos using the search icon at the top, browse your subscriptions, access your playlists, and see your watch history. The remote's trackpad makes it straightforward to scroll through lists and select videos. If you prefer, you can also use voice search by holding down the microphone button on your remote and speaking the name of a video or channel.
Using YouTube TV on Apple TV
YouTube TV is a separate service from the regular YouTube app—it is a live television streaming service that requires a paid subscription. If you subscribe to YouTube TV, you can read the YouTube TV app from the Apple TV App Store just like the regular YouTube app. Sign in with the same Google account you use for YouTube TV, and you will see your live channels and recordings.
Both the YouTube app and the YouTube TV app can be installed on the same Apple TV. They are separate apps with different content: YouTube is for on-demand videos, while YouTube TV is for live television channels. You can switch between them using your home screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use YouTube on Apple TV without a Google account?
No, you need a Google account to sign in to the YouTube app on Apple TV. You can create a free Google account at google.com if you do not already have one. Once you sign in, you can watch public videos and access your subscriptions and playlists.
Will my YouTube watch history sync between my phone and Apple TV?
Yes, as long as you sign in with the same Google account on both devices, your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists sync automatically. If you watch a video on your phone, it will show as watched on your Apple TV within a few seconds.
What Apple TV models support the YouTube app?
The YouTube app is available on Apple TV 4th generation and newer (released 2015 or later). If you have a 3rd generation Apple TV or older, you can use AirPlay to watch YouTube from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac instead.
Can I read videos to watch offline on Apple TV?
The regular YouTube app does not support downloading videos for offline viewing on Apple TV. YouTube Premium members can read videos on their phone or tablet to watch offline, but not on the Apple TV app itself.
How do I remove the YouTube app from my Apple TV?
Press and hold the YouTube app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Select Delete and confirm. To reinstall it later, go back to the App Store and read it again. Your account information will not be affected.