The fastest way to get YouTube TV on Samsung
The YouTube TV app is built into most Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later. If you own one, you do not need to read anything — the app is already there. Open your Samsung TV's home screen, look for the YouTube TV icon (usually in the entertainment or apps section), and select it. The first time you open it, you will be asked to sign in with a Google account. Enter your email and password, and you are done.
If your Samsung TV is older than 2016 or the app is not visible on your home screen, you can add it through the Samsung App Store. This takes about five minutes and requires only your remote and a Google account.
Key Takeaways
- Most Samsung TVs from 2016 onward have YouTube TV pre-installed and ready to use without downloading anything.
- If the app is missing, open the Samsung App Store from your home screen, search for YouTube TV, and select Install.
- You will need a Google account to sign in, but you do not need a YouTube TV subscription to read the app itself.
- If your TV is older than 2016 or does not support the app, you can use a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV instead.
Finding YouTube TV if it is already on your TV
Samsung TVs come with YouTube TV pre-loaded on the system. The app may not be obvious at first because Samsung organizes apps differently depending on your TV model and the year it was made.
Start by pressing the Home button on your remote. Look at the apps displayed on your home screen — YouTube TV usually appears in a row labeled "Entertainment," "Apps," or "Recommended." If you see it, select it and you are ready to sign in. If you do not see it, scroll left or right through the available app rows to find it. Some Samsung TVs also let you search for apps by pressing the Search or Magnifying Glass button on your remote, typing "YouTube TV," and selecting it from the results.
How to read YouTube TV from the Samsung App Store
If YouTube TV is not on your home screen and your TV is from 2016 or later, you can add it through the Samsung App Store. Press Home on your remote, then look for an icon labeled "Apps," "Samsung Apps," or "App Store" — it usually looks like a grid or a shopping bag. Select it to open the store.
Once the App Store opens, use the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon at the top) and type "YouTube TV." Select the YouTube TV result when it appears. You will see an Install button. Select Install and wait for the read to finish — this usually takes less than a minute. When it is done, the button will change to Open. Select Open to launch the app, or go back to your home screen and find YouTube TV in your apps list.
After the app opens for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. Enter your Google account email and password. If you have a YouTube TV subscription, your channels and recordings will load automatically. If you do not have a subscription yet, you can still read the app — you just will not see any content until you subscribe.
What to do if your Samsung TV is too old for YouTube TV
Samsung TVs made before 2016 do not support the YouTube TV app, and Samsung does not offer a way to add it to these older models. If your TV is from 2015 or earlier, you have two options: use a streaming device or connect a computer to your TV.
A streaming device is a small box that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and connects to your internet. YouTube TV is available on Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Android TV devices. These devices cost between $25 and $100 depending on the model, and you can find them at most electronics retailers. Once you plug one in and sign in with your Google account, YouTube TV will work the same way as it does on a newer Samsung TV.
Alternatively, you can connect a laptop or desktop computer to your TV using an HDMI cable and watch YouTube TV through a web browser. This works on any TV with an HDMI input, but it is less convenient than using an app because you have to keep the computer running and connected.
Troubleshooting if the app will not install or open
If you try to install YouTube TV and get an error message, the most common cause is that your TV does not have enough free storage space. Go to your TV's Settings menu, select Storage or Memory, and check how much space is available. If you have less than 500 MB free, delete apps you do not use. Press Home, find an app you want to remove, press and hold the Select button on your remote, and choose Delete or Uninstall.
If the app installs but will not open, restart your TV. Unplug it from the power outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once it boots up, try opening YouTube TV again. If it still does not work, go to Settings, select Apps, find YouTube TV, and select Clear Cache or Clear Data. This removes temporary files that may be corrupted without deleting the app itself.
If you are having trouble signing in, make sure you are using the correct Google account email and password. If you have forgotten your password, go to google.com on a computer or phone, select Sign In, and follow the steps to reset it. You can also check whether your internet connection is working by opening another app like Netflix or a weather app.
Connecting YouTube TV to your home network
YouTube TV requires a stable internet connection to work. When you first open the app, your Samsung TV will ask you to connect to Wi-Fi if it is not already connected. Select your network name from the list, enter your Wi-Fi password, and wait for the connection to complete.
If your TV is far from your router and the signal is weak, you may experience buffering or the app may not load at all. Move your router closer to the TV, or use a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal in that room. If your internet speed is slow (below 5 Mbps), YouTube TV may not play smoothly. You can check your speed by opening a speed-test app or visiting speedtest.net on a computer connected to the same network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to read the app?
No. You can read and install the YouTube TV app on your Samsung TV without a subscription. You will need a Google account to sign in, but you will not see any channels or content until you subscribe to YouTube TV through the app or on the YouTube TV website.
Can I use YouTube TV on a Samsung TV that is connected to a cable box?
Yes. YouTube TV is a separate service from cable and works independently. You can have both the YouTube TV app and your cable box on the same TV. Use your remote to switch between them, or use your TV's input button to select which device you want to watch.
What if I see YouTube TV in the app store but it says "Not Compatible"?
This means your TV model does not support the app, even though it may be from 2016 or later. Some Samsung TV models were not included in the YouTube TV rollout. In this case, a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick is your best option.
Will YouTube TV work if my internet goes out?
No. YouTube TV requires an active internet connection to stream. If your internet is down, the app will not load any content. Some streaming devices and apps offer the ability to read shows for offline viewing, but YouTube TV does not have this feature.
Can I add YouTube TV to a Samsung TV that is not connected to the internet?
You can install the app without internet, but you will not be able to sign in or use it until you connect the TV to Wi-Fi. YouTube TV streams all its content over the internet, so a working connection is required every time you use it.