The most direct way to remove ads from YouTube on TV
YouTube Premium is the only official way to remove ads from YouTube on your TV. When you subscribe to YouTube Premium, ads stop playing on all your devices — phone, computer, and TV — and you get offline viewing and background play as well. The subscription costs the same whether you use it on TV or anywhere else, and it covers your entire account, not just one device.
If you do not want to pay for Premium, your other options are limited. YouTube's terms of service prohibit ad-blocking software on the platform, and most ad blockers do not work on TV apps anyway because TV apps run differently than web browsers. Some workarounds exist, but they require technical setup and may not work reliably depending on your TV model and internet setup.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes all ads from YouTube on your TV and costs the same as it does on other devices.
- Ad-blocking browser extensions do not work on most TV YouTube apps because TV apps do not use a web browser.
- Sideloading an ad-blocking app or using a modified YouTube client violates YouTube's terms of service and may stop working without warning.
- If you share your TV with others, YouTube Premium covers your whole account, so everyone watching on that account sees no ads.
- YouTube Premium includes offline downloads and background play, which are not available on the free version.
How YouTube Premium works on TV
When you subscribe to YouTube Premium through your Google account, the subscription follows your account to every device. Sign into your TV with the same Google account you used to buy Premium, and ads will stop playing when ready. You do not need to set up Premium separately on the TV — it recognizes your account automatically.
YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month in the United States, though pricing varies by country. Google occasionally runs promotions for new subscribers, such as a free trial period. You can cancel anytime through your Google account settings, and the subscription will stop at the end of your billing cycle.
Why ad blockers do not work on TV YouTube apps
Most ad blockers are browser extensions that run inside Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. They work by filtering out ad code before it loads on your screen. TV apps — whether on a Samsung, LG, Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV — do not use a web browser. They run their own code directly on the TV, so browser extensions cannot see or block anything.
Some people try to work around this by sideloading third-party YouTube apps or modified versions of YouTube that claim to block ads. These violate YouTube's terms of service, and Google regularly updates YouTube to break them. Even if one works today, it may stop working after the next YouTube update, leaving you without access to YouTube at all until you reinstall the official app.
Using a VPN or proxy server does not remove ads
A VPN (virtual private network) or proxy server changes your internet connection's appearance, but it does not remove ads from YouTube. YouTube serves ads based on your account and viewing history, not on your location or IP address. Even if you route your connection through a different country, you will still see ads unless you have YouTube Premium.
Some people mistakenly believe that a VPN can help them access cheaper YouTube Premium pricing in other countries. YouTube's terms of service prohibit this, and attempting it can result in your account being suspended or your subscription being cancelled.
Casting YouTube from your phone or computer
If you have YouTube Premium on your phone or computer, you can cast or mirror that device to your TV, and the ads will not appear on the TV screen. This works because the ads are being blocked on the source device before the video is sent to the TV. However, this requires keeping your phone or computer active and connected the entire time you are watching, which is less convenient than using the TV app directly.
Casting works on most modern TVs through Chromecast, AirPlay, or Miracast, depending on your TV model. Check your TV's manual or settings menu to see which casting method it supports.
What happens if you do nothing
If you do not subscribe to YouTube Premium and do not use a workaround, you will see ads on YouTube on your TV just as you do on your phone or computer. YouTube typically shows one short ad before a video starts and may show additional ads during longer videos. The number and length of ads vary, but they are part of YouTube's free service model.
YouTube does not currently offer a way to pay per video or per channel to remove ads from just that content. Premium is an all-or-nothing subscription — it removes ads from everything you watch on your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does YouTube Premium remove ads from videos embedded on other websites?
No. YouTube Premium only removes ads from YouTube.com and the YouTube app. If you watch a YouTube video embedded on another website, you will still see ads even if you have Premium. You would need to open the video directly on YouTube.com to avoid ads.
Can I share YouTube Premium with family members on the same TV?
Yes. Anyone who signs into your Google account on the TV will see no ads. However, if you want different family members to have their own accounts and watch without ads, each person would need their own YouTube Premium subscription, or you would need to use YouTube's Family Plan if it is available in your country.
Will YouTube Premium stop working if I cancel my subscription?
Yes. Ads will return when ready when your subscription ends. Your watch history and playlists remain, but you will see ads again on all devices until you resubscribe.
Can I use a free trial of YouTube Premium to test it before paying?
Google sometimes offers free trial periods for new YouTube Premium subscribers, but the availability and length of these trials change. Check your YouTube account settings or the YouTube Premium sign-up page to see if a trial is currently available in your region.