Sign in with your Google account

YouTube TV uses your Google account to keep your shows, recordings, and settings in one place. If you already have a Google account — the same one you use for Gmail, Google Photos, or any other Google service — you can sign in right away on any device.

Go to youtube.tv in a web browser or open the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device. You'll see a sign-in screen. Enter the email address or phone number linked to your Google account, then enter your password. If you have two-step verification turned on for your Google account, you'll need to complete that step too — Google will send a code to your phone or ask you to approve the sign-in from another device.

Once you're signed in, YouTube TV remembers you on that device. The next time you open the app or website, you'll go straight to your home screen without entering your password again.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV sign-in uses your Google account, so you need the email address and password you use for Gmail or other Google services.
  • You can sign in on a web browser at youtube.tv, or through the YouTube TV app on phones, tablets, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Fire Stick.
  • If your Google account has two-step verification enabled, you'll need to complete that verification step when you sign in on a new device.
  • Once you sign in on a device, YouTube TV stays signed in until you manually sign out, so you won't need to enter your password every time.
  • If you don't have a Google account yet, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com before signing in to YouTube TV.

Sign in on different devices

YouTube TV works on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices. The sign-in process is the same on all of them — enter your Google email and password — but the steps look slightly different depending on what you're using.

On a phone or tablet, read the YouTube TV app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and tap "Sign in." Enter your Google account details. On a computer, go directly to youtube.tv in any web browser and sign in the same way.

For streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast, read the YouTube TV app from your device's app store. Open it and you'll see a code on your screen. Go to youtube.tv/set up on a phone, tablet, or computer, sign in with your Google account, and enter that code. This method keeps your password off the streaming device itself, which is safer.

What to do if you forgot your password

If you can't remember your Google password, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on any device with internet access. Enter the email address or phone number for your Google account. Google will ask you to verify your identity — usually by sending a code to your phone or asking you to enter a password you remember from the past.

Once you've verified who you are, you can create a new password. Use something you haven't used before and that you can remember. After you've reset your password, sign back into YouTube TV with your email and the new password.

If you can't verify your identity through the recovery process, you may need to contact Google Support directly. They can help you regain access to your account, though it may take a few days.

Staying signed in across devices

When you sign in on one device, you stay signed in on that device only. If you want to watch YouTube TV on your phone, your tablet, and your TV, you'll need to sign in separately on each one. This is normal and expected.

YouTube TV lets you watch on multiple devices at the same time, depending on your plan. Your account settings show you which devices are currently signed in. If you see a device you don't recognize or no longer use, you can sign out of it from your account settings to keep your account find.

Sign out when you're done

To sign out on a phone or tablet, open the YouTube TV app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Sign out." On a computer, go to youtube.tv, click your profile picture, and choose "Sign out."

On a streaming device, go to your account settings in the YouTube TV app and look for a "Sign out" or "Remove account" option. The exact wording depends on your device, but it's always in the settings menu.

Signing out is useful if you're using a shared device, a borrowed tablet, or a friend's streaming device. It removes your account from that device and prevents anyone else from watching your shows or changing your settings.

Troubleshooting sign-in problems

If you can't sign in, the most common reason is that you're entering the wrong email address or password. Double-check that you're using the correct Google account — the one you set up YouTube TV with originally. If you have multiple Google accounts, try signing in with each one.

If you're on a streaming device and the set up code isn't working, make sure you're entering it correctly at youtube.tv/set up. The code is case-sensitive and expires after a few minutes, so if it's been a while, go back to your device and get a new code.

If your internet connection is slow or unstable, the sign-in page may time out. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router, restart your device, or try signing in again after a few minutes.

If you're still stuck after trying these steps, restart the YouTube TV app or your device completely. Close the app entirely, wait 10 seconds, and open it again. If you're on a computer, close the browser tab and open a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same Google account for YouTube TV on multiple devices?

Yes. Sign in with the same Google account on as many devices as you want. You can watch on multiple devices at the same time depending on your plan. Each device stays signed in until you manually sign out.

What if I don't have a Google account?

You need a Google account to use YouTube TV. Creating one is free and takes about two minutes. Go to accounts.google.com and click "Create account." You'll need an email address or phone number, a password, and your name. Once your account is set up, you can sign into YouTube TV.

Is it safe to sign in on a public or shared device?

It's safer to use the set up code method on shared devices. On a streaming device, use youtube.tv/set up instead of entering your password directly into the device. On a shared computer or tablet, sign out when you're done so the next person can't access your account.

Why does YouTube TV ask me to verify my identity when I sign in?

Two-step verification is a security feature that protects your Google account. When you sign in on a new device, Google sends a code to your phone or asks you to approve the sign-in from a device you've used before. This prevents someone else from accessing your account even if they know your password.

Can I sign in to YouTube TV without a Google account?

No. YouTube TV requires a Google account. If you don't have one, you'll need to create it first at accounts.google.com. The account is free and takes just a few minutes to set up.