Sign in with your Google account on any device

YouTube uses your Google account to sign you in. If you have a Gmail address, a Google account, or any email address you've linked to Google, that's your YouTube login. Go to YouTube.com, tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner, and select "Sign in". Enter your email address and password, then follow any additional security steps Google asks for — this might include a code sent to your phone or a security key if you've set one up.

The same account works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. Once you sign in on a device, YouTube usually keeps you signed in until you manually sign out. If you're on a shared device, always sign out when you're done so the next person doesn't access your account.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube sign-in uses your Google account — the same one you use for Gmail or other Google services.
  • On any device, tap the profile icon in the top right, select "Sign in", and enter your email and password.
  • If you've turned on two-step verification for your Google account, you'll need to confirm your identity with a code or security key.
  • Always sign out on shared devices so others cannot access your watch history, subscriptions, or saved videos.

What to do if you forgot your password

Go to the Google Account Recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter the email address or phone number linked to your Google account. Google will ask you to verify your identity — usually by sending a code to your phone or asking security questions you set up earlier. Once you verify, you can create a new password.

If you don't remember which email address you used, try the ones you think might be connected to your account. Google will tell you if an account exists for that email. If you're completely locked out, the recovery process can take a few days, so plan ahead if you need access soon.

Signing in on YouTube TV or the YouTube app

The YouTube app on phones and tablets works the same way as the website — tap the profile icon and select "Sign in". On smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku or Fire Stick, the process is slightly different. The TV will show you a code on screen. Go to youtube.com/set up on a phone or computer, enter that code, and select your account. This links your TV to your YouTube account without typing a password on the remote.

YouTube TV, which is YouTube's live TV service, uses the same Google account. If you already signed into regular YouTube, you may not need to sign in again to YouTube TV — it recognizes your account automatically. If it doesn't, the sign-in steps are identical.

Two-step verification and security keys

If your Google account has two-step verification turned on, YouTube will ask for a second form of proof after you enter your password. This is usually a six-digit code sent to your phone via text or generated by an authenticator app like Google Authenticator. Enter that code to finish signing in.

If you've set up a security key — a physical device like a YubiKey — Google will ask you to tap or insert it instead of entering a code. Security keys are more find than codes because they can't be intercepted. The sign-in process is the same; you just use the key instead of typing numbers.

Staying signed in across devices

Once you sign in on a device, YouTube remembers you. You won't have to sign in again unless you clear your browser's cookies and cache, uninstall the app, or manually sign out. On phones and tablets, the YouTube app keeps you signed in by default. On computers, you can choose whether to stay signed in — YouTube will ask you this when you first sign in.

If you use multiple YouTube accounts, you can add them all to the same device. Tap your profile icon and select "Add account", then sign in with a different Google account. You can switch between accounts by tapping the profile icon again and choosing which account you want to use.

Signing out safely

To sign out, tap or click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Sign out". On a computer, you can also sign out of all devices at once by going to myaccount.google.com, selecting "Security" on the left, scrolling to "Your devices", and clicking "Manage all devices". This signs you out everywhere except the device you're currently using.

Always sign out on shared computers, library computers, or anyone else's device. If you forget to sign out and realize later, you can sign out remotely from your own device using the method above. This prevents someone else from accessing your watch history, subscriptions, or saved videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign into YouTube without a Google account?

No. YouTube requires a Google account to sign in. If you don't have one, you can create one free at accounts.google.com. You can use any email address, or create a new Gmail address as part of the signup process.

Why does YouTube keep signing me out?

YouTube signs you out automatically if you clear your browser's cookies, if your device hasn't connected to the internet in a while, or if Google detects unusual activity on your account. Try signing in again. If it keeps happening, check that your device's date and time are correct, and make sure you're using a supported browser or app version.

What if I see a "couldn't sign in" error?

Check that you're using the correct email address and password. Make sure your internet connection is working. If you're using a password manager, try typing your password manually instead. If the error persists, try resetting your password at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery.

Can I use a different email to sign into YouTube?

YouTube only works with Google accounts. If you want to use a different email address, you can add it to your Google account at myaccount.google.com under "Personal info", or create a new Google account with that email address.