The fastest way to get YouTube TV on Samsung
The easiest route is to read the YouTube TV app directly from the Samsung TV App Store. On most Samsung TVs made after 2016, you can find it by pressing the Home button on your remote, navigating to Apps, then searching for "YouTube TV" in the store. The app installs in seconds and you sign in with your YouTube TV account credentials right on the TV.
If your Samsung TV is older or the app does not appear in your app store, you can use a streaming device plugged into an HDMI port instead — a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV all support YouTube TV. This is also the route to take if you want YouTube TV on a Samsung TV that is not connected to the internet or does not have built-in apps.
A third option is to cast from your phone or computer using Google Cast (Chromecast), which works on any Samsung TV with an HDMI port and an internet connection, even if the YouTube TV app is not installed.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung TVs made after 2016 usually have the YouTube TV app in the Samsung TV App Store and can read it in under a minute.
- Older Samsung TVs or those without internet can use a streaming device like Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast plugged into an HDMI port.
- You can cast YouTube TV from your phone or computer to any Samsung TV with an HDMI port using Google Cast, even without the app installed.
- You will need an active YouTube TV subscription and a Samsung account or Google account to sign in on the TV.
Installing the app on newer Samsung TVs
On Samsung TVs from 2016 onward, the YouTube TV app is usually available in the built-in app store. Press the Home button on your remote to open the main menu. Navigate to Apps or the app icon (it looks like a grid of squares). Select Search or the magnifying glass icon, then type "YouTube TV".
When the YouTube TV app appears in the results, select it and choose read or Install. The app downloads and installs automatically — this typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on your internet speed. Once installation finishes, you will see an Open button. Select it to launch the app.
The app will ask you to sign in. You can enter your YouTube TV account email and password directly on the TV using the remote, or you can use a sign-in code. To use the code method, the app will display a code on your TV screen. Go to youtube.com/tv/signin on your phone or computer, enter that code, and sign in there instead — this is faster if typing on the TV remote feels slow.
Using a streaming device if the app is not available
If your Samsung TV does not have the YouTube TV app in its store, or if your TV is older than 2016, a streaming device is the most reliable option. Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast with Google TV, and Apple TV all have YouTube TV built in. Plug the device into an available HDMI port on your TV, connect it to your home internet, and follow the device's setup process.
Once the streaming device is set up, find the YouTube TV app in that device's app store (Roku Channel Store, Amazon Appstore, Google Play, or Apple App Store). read and install it, then sign in with your YouTube TV account. The streaming device will remember your login, so you will not have to sign in again unless you uninstall the app or factory reset the device.
Streaming devices range from about $30 for a basic Roku to $70 for an Apple TV. If you already own one of these devices, you likely do not need to buy anything — YouTube TV is free to install once you own the hardware.
Casting YouTube TV from your phone or computer
If you do not want to install an app or buy a streaming device, you can cast YouTube TV from your phone or computer to your Samsung TV using Google Cast. This works on any Samsung TV with an HDMI port and an active internet connection. Open the YouTube TV app on your phone or go to youtube.com/tv in a web browser on your computer.
Look for the Cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with a WiFi symbol in the corner. Tap or click it, then select your Samsung TV from the list of available devices. YouTube TV will begin playing on your TV screen. Your phone or computer acts as the remote: you can pause, rewind, change channels, and adjust volume from the device you are casting from.
Casting works well for watching occasionally, but it drains your phone battery and ties up your device. If you plan to watch YouTube TV regularly, installing the app or using a streaming device is more convenient because you can use your TV remote and your phone remains free for other tasks.
What you need before you start
You will need an active YouTube TV subscription. If you do not have one, you can sign up at youtube.com/tv using a Google account or a YouTube account. YouTube TV requires a payment method on file, though the service offers a trial period for new members.
You will also need your Samsung TV connected to the internet. Check your TV settings to confirm it is connected to your home WiFi network. If it is not, go to Settings, select Network, and choose your WiFi network. Enter your WiFi password if prompted.
Finally, you will need either a Samsung account or a Google account to sign into the YouTube TV app on your TV. Most people use their Google account since YouTube TV is a Google service, but Samsung accounts work as well.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the YouTube TV app does not appear in your Samsung TV App Store, your TV may be too old or may not have internet access. Check that your TV is connected to WiFi by going to Settings and looking for Network or Internet status. If it shows "Not Connected", reconnect to your WiFi network and try searching for the app again.
If you see the app but it will not read, try restarting your TV. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then try downloading the app again. If the problem continues, restart your home WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds as well.
If you sign in but the app keeps asking you to sign in again, clear the app's cache. Go to Settings, select Apps, find YouTube TV, and choose Storage or Memory. Select Clear Cache. Then open the app and sign in again. This usually fixes repeated sign-in prompts.
If you are casting from your phone and the TV does not appear in the Cast menu, make sure your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network. If they are on different networks, casting will not work. Also check that your TV is turned on and fully booted before you try to cast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use YouTube TV on a Samsung TV that is not smart?
No, a non-smart Samsung TV does not have built-in apps or internet. You will need a streaming device like Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, or Apple TV plugged into an HDMI port. The streaming device connects to your internet and runs the YouTube TV app, so the TV itself does not need to be smart.
Do I need a Samsung account to watch YouTube TV?
No. You can sign in with your Google account or YouTube account instead. A Samsung account is optional. Most people use their Google account since YouTube TV is owned by Google.
What if my TV does not have an HDMI port?
Older TVs with only composite (red, white, yellow) cables cannot use streaming devices or cast. Your only option would be to watch YouTube TV on a phone, tablet, or computer and view it separately from your TV, or replace the TV with one that has HDMI ports.
Can multiple people watch YouTube TV on the same Samsung TV?
Yes. YouTube TV allows multiple profiles under one subscription. Each person can sign in with their own profile, and the app will remember their individual watch history and preferences. You switch between profiles using the remote.
Will YouTube TV work if my internet is slow?
YouTube TV requires a minimum internet speed of about 3 Mbps for standard definition and 7 Mbps for high definition. If your internet is slower than that, the app may buffer or not play at all. You can test your speed at speedtest.net. If it is too slow, contact your internet provider about upgrading your plan.