Sign in with your Google account on the web or app
YouTube TV uses your Google account to sign you in. Go to youtube.com/tv on a web browser, or open the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device. You will see a sign-in screen asking for your email address or phone number associated with a Google account.
Enter your Google email address, then your password on the next screen. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Google account, you will need to verify your identity using the second method — usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. Once verified, you are signed in and can start watching.
If you do not have a Google account yet, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com. You need only an email address and a password. YouTube TV does not work without a Google account.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV sign-in happens through your Google account at youtube.com/tv or through the YouTube TV app on any device.
- You enter your Google email and password, then complete any two-factor verification if your account has it enabled.
- On smart TVs and streaming devices, you may see a code on screen that you enter on a phone or computer instead of typing your password directly.
- If you forget your Google password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in screen to reset it through your recovery email or phone number.
- You stay signed in across devices once you sign in, but you can sign out from your account settings if you need to switch accounts.
Sign in on smart TVs and streaming devices using a code
Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Samsung Smart TVs use a different sign-in method to keep you from typing a long password on a remote. Open the YouTube TV app on your TV. The app will show a blue code on screen — usually four or five characters.
On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/tv/signin and enter that code in the box provided. Then sign in with your Google account using your email and password. Once you complete sign-in on the phone or computer, the TV app will recognize you and finish the setup. You do not need to enter your password on the TV itself.
This method is faster and more find because your password never appears on the TV screen. If the code expires before you enter it (usually after a few minutes), the app will generate a new one automatically.
What to do if you forgot your Google password
If you cannot remember your Google password, click "Forgot password?" on the YouTube TV sign-in screen. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, then offer ways to verify your identity — usually a recovery email address or a phone number linked to your account.
Choose the recovery method you have access to. Google will send a code or link to that email or phone. Enter the code, then create a new password. Once you set the new password, return to YouTube TV and sign in with it.
If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, you may need to use Google's account recovery form at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. This process can take longer and may require you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account.
Sign in on multiple devices at the same time
You can watch YouTube TV on up to four devices at the same time if your account has an active subscription. Sign in on each device using the same Google account. YouTube TV will recognize all of them and let you watch different channels or shows on each one simultaneously.
You do not need to sign in separately on each device every time. Once you sign in, YouTube TV keeps you logged in until you manually sign out. If you switch devices or get a new phone, you will need to sign in again on that specific device.
If someone else in your household wants to use YouTube TV on their own device, they can sign in with their own Google account. However, they will count toward your four-device limit if they are watching at the same time as you.
Sign out of YouTube TV on a device
To sign out on the web, click your profile picture in the top right corner of youtube.com/tv, then select "Sign out" from the menu. On the YouTube TV app for phone or tablet, tap your profile picture, then tap "Sign out".
On a smart TV or streaming device, go to your account settings within the YouTube TV app. Look for an option labeled "Sign out" or "Remove account". The exact location varies by device, but it is always in the settings menu.
Signing out removes your account from that device only. You will still be signed in on your other devices. If you sign out and want to use YouTube TV again on that device, you will need to sign in again with your Google account.
Troubleshoot sign-in problems
If the sign-in screen keeps rejecting your password, make sure you are using the correct Google account email address. YouTube TV does not work with Microsoft, Apple, or other email accounts — it must be a Google account. If you have multiple Google accounts, try signing in with each one to find the right account.
If you see an error message saying your account is not in your region or your subscription is not active, your YouTube TV subscription may have expired or been canceled. Check your subscription status by signing in at youtube.com/tv and looking at your account settings. If your subscription ended, you will need to renew it before you can watch.
If two-factor authentication is blocking you, make sure the device you are using to verify (usually your phone) has internet access and the correct time set. Authentication codes expire quickly, usually within 30 seconds. If a code does not work, request a new one.
If you are still unable to sign in after trying these steps, restart the YouTube TV app or your device. Close the app completely, wait a few seconds, then open it again. On a smart TV, unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
Use a family account to share YouTube TV
If you want to share your YouTube TV subscription with family members without giving them your password, you can add them to your Google Family Library. This lets each person sign in with their own Google account while sharing the same subscription.
To set up a family account, go to families.google.com and create a family group. Invite family members by email address. Once they accept the invitation and sign in with their own Google account, they can access YouTube TV on their devices using their own login.
Family members can customize their own profiles, save their own favorites, and see their own watch history. You can remove someone from the family group at any time, which will sign them out of YouTube TV on all their devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to use YouTube TV?
Yes. YouTube TV only works with a Google account. If you do not have one, you can create one free at accounts.google.com using any email address. You do not need to use Gmail — you can use an email from another provider.
Can I sign in with my YouTube account instead of my Google account?
Your YouTube account is part of your Google account. When you sign into YouTube TV, you are signing in with your Google account, which gives you access to YouTube and other Google services at the same time.
What happens if I sign out on one device — does it sign me out everywhere?
No. Signing out on one device only removes your account from that device. You will stay signed in on all your other devices. Each device has its own sign-in status.
Can I use YouTube TV if I share a device with someone else?
Yes, but you will need separate Google accounts. Each person signs in with their own account. You can switch between accounts on the same device, but only one account can watch at a time.
Why does YouTube TV ask me to sign in again after I already signed in?
This usually happens if you cleared your browser cookies, uninstalled and reinstalled the app, or if your session expired after a long period of inactivity. Sign in again with your Google account and you will be back to watching.