Adding YouTube to Roku takes three minutes and requires only your Roku remote
YouTube is built into Roku's channel store, so you do not need to buy anything or create a new account. You search for the YouTube channel on your Roku TV, add it to your home screen, and sign in with your existing Google account. The whole process takes about three minutes and works the same way whether you have a Roku TV model or a Roku streaming device plugged into another television.
The steps below assume you have already set up your Roku TV or device and connected it to the internet. If you have not done that yet, complete the initial setup first — Roku will walk you through connecting to your WiFi network during that process.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube is free and available in the Roku Channel Store without any subscription or payment required.
- You will need your Google account password to sign in, so have that ready before you start.
- The YouTube channel installs directly to your Roku home screen, and you can move it or remove it anytime.
- If you cannot find YouTube in the Channel Store, restart your Roku device and check your internet connection.
Step 1: Open the Roku Channel Store from your home screen
Pick up your Roku remote and press the Home button (the house icon). This takes you to your Roku home screen, where you see all your installed channels and apps. Look for a tile or option labeled "Roku Channel Store" or sometimes just "Channel Store" — it is usually near the top or in a menu section.
If you do not see it when ready, scroll left or right across your home screen. On some Roku models, the Channel Store is in a menu you access by pressing the Options button (three horizontal lines) on your remote.
Step 2: Search for YouTube in the Channel Store
Once you are in the Channel Store, look for a search icon or a search bar at the top of the screen. Press it with your remote. A keyboard will appear on your screen — use your remote's arrow buttons to highlight each letter and press OK to select it. Type "YouTube" and press OK when you are done.
The search results will show the official YouTube channel. It has the YouTube logo (a red rectangle with a white play button) next to it. Make sure you are selecting the official YouTube channel, not a third-party app with a similar name.
Step 3: Select YouTube and choose "Add Channel"
Highlight the official YouTube result and press OK on your remote. This opens the YouTube channel page, which shows a description and a button labeled "Add Channel." Press OK on that button. Roku will begin downloading and installing YouTube to your device — this takes about 30 seconds to one minute.
You will see a confirmation message when the installation is complete. The YouTube channel is now on your Roku home screen.
Step 4: Open YouTube and sign in with your Google account
Go back to your home screen and find the YouTube tile. Press OK to open it. The first time you open YouTube on Roku, it will ask you to sign in. You will see a code on your TV screen and instructions to visit a website on your phone or computer.
On another device, go to the website shown on your TV (usually something like youtube.com/set up or a similar sign-in page). Enter the code that appears on your TV screen. Then sign in with your Google account email and password. Once you sign in on that website, YouTube on your Roku TV will automatically log in and you will be ready to watch.
Troubleshooting if YouTube does not appear in the Channel Store
If you search for YouTube and nothing appears, restart your Roku device first. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for it to fully restart — you will see the Roku logo appear and then your home screen.
After the restart, try searching for YouTube again. If it still does not show up, check that your Roku is connected to the internet. Go to Settings (usually in a menu on your home screen), select Network, and look for your WiFi connection. If you are not connected, select your network and enter your WiFi password.
If YouTube still does not appear after restarting and checking your internet, your Roku software may need an update. Go to Settings, select System, then System Update, and choose "Check Now." Install any available updates and restart your device.
Moving or removing the YouTube channel from your home screen
Once YouTube is installed, you can organize your home screen however you want. To move the YouTube tile, highlight it, press the Options button (three horizontal lines) on your remote, and select "Move Channel." Use your arrow buttons to place it where you want it, then press OK.
To remove YouTube from your home screen (though you can always reinstall it later), highlight the YouTube tile, press Options, and select "Remove Channel." This does not delete your YouTube account or your watch history — it just removes the tile from your Roku home screen. You can add it back anytime by returning to the Channel Store and selecting Add Channel again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a YouTube Premium subscription to watch YouTube on Roku?
No. The free version of YouTube works on Roku exactly as it does on your phone or computer. You will see ads on free videos, and you can watch as much as you want without paying anything. If you have a YouTube Premium subscription through your Google account, that will work on Roku too, but it is not required.
Can I use a different Google account than the one on my phone?
Yes. When you sign in to YouTube on your Roku TV, you can use any Google account you have access to. You do not have to use the same account on your phone or computer. Just enter the email and password for whichever Google account you want to use.
What if I forget my Google account password?
Go to accounts.google.com on your phone or computer and select "Forgot password?" Follow Google's steps to reset it. Once you have set a new password, you can sign in to YouTube on your Roku TV using that new password.
Will my watch history and subscriptions appear on my Roku TV?
Yes, as long as you sign in with the same Google account you use on other devices. Your subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations will all sync to your Roku TV. If you sign in with a different Google account, you will see that account's history and subscriptions instead.
Can I remove YouTube and reinstall it later?
Yes. You can remove the YouTube channel from your home screen anytime, and you can add it back by going to the Channel Store and searching for YouTube again. Your Google account and watch history will not be affected — they are stored with your Google account, not on your Roku device.