Creating a YouTube account starts with a Google account

YouTube uses Google accounts to sign in, so if you already have a Gmail address or a Google account, you can start watching and uploading videos right now. If you don't have a Google account yet, you'll create one first—it takes about two minutes and requires only an email address and a password. Once that's done, YouTube recognizes you automatically.

The entire process works the same way on a phone, tablet, or computer. You don't need to read anything or pay anything to watch videos or create a channel. YouTube is free to use.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Google account to use YouTube; if you have Gmail, you already have one and can sign in when ready.
  • Creating a new Google account takes two minutes and requires only an email address and a password you choose.
  • After you sign in to YouTube, you can customize your channel name, profile picture, and description whenever you want.
  • Your YouTube account and Google account are linked, so signing out of one signs you out of both.

Sign in if you already have a Google account

Go to youtube.com on your computer or open the YouTube app on your phone. In the top right corner, you'll see a circular profile icon or a Sign in button. Click or tap it.

Type in your Gmail address or the email you use for Google, then your password. YouTube will recognize you and take you to your home page. You're done—you now have access to your YouTube account and can watch videos, create playlists, and subscribe to channels.

Create a new Google account if you don't have one

Go to accounts.google.com/signup on your computer, or open the YouTube app and tap Sign in, then tap Create account. You'll see a form asking for your first name, last name, and a username (this becomes your Gmail address). Choose a username that's available—Google will tell you if someone else is already using it.

Next, create a password. Use something you can remember but that's not straightforward to guess. Google will ask you to enter it twice to make sure you typed it correctly. Then provide your phone number and a recovery email address (a second email where Google can reach you if you forget your password). You'll also choose your birth date and gender.

Read through Google's terms of service and privacy policy if you want to, then click Create account. Google may ask you to verify your phone number by texting a code back to them—this is a security step and takes about one minute. After that, your Google account is active and YouTube will sign you in automatically.

Set up your YouTube channel name and profile

Once you're signed in to YouTube, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Create a channel. YouTube will ask you to choose a channel name—this is the name people see when you comment, upload videos, or subscribe to other channels. You can change this name later if you want.

After you create your channel, you can add a profile picture by clicking your profile icon and selecting Create a channel or going to your channel settings. Upload a photo from your computer or phone. You can also write a channel description that tells people what your channel is about. None of this is required to watch videos or use YouTube—it's only necessary if you plan to upload content or interact with other users.

Sign in on different devices

Once you've created your Google account, you can sign in on any device—your phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV. Open YouTube or the YouTube app, tap or click Sign in, and enter your email and password. YouTube will remember you on that device, so you won't have to sign in every time.

If you're on a shared device (like a family computer), you can sign out when you're done by clicking your profile icon and selecting Sign out. This prevents the next person who uses that device from accessing your account or seeing your watch history.

What to do if you forget your password

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on any device. Enter the email address or phone number connected to your Google account. Google will send you a code to that phone number or email, or ask you security questions you set up when you created your account. Answer correctly and you can create a new password.

If you can't remember the email or phone number on your account, or if you can't answer the security questions, Google has a longer recovery process. You'll need to provide information about when you created the account and what devices you've used it on. This can take a few days.

Common mistakes to avoid

Don't use a password you've used on other websites—if one site gets hacked, someone could try that same password on your Google account and access your email, YouTube history, and other Google services. Use a unique password for Google.

Don't share your password with anyone, even friends or family members. If you want to let someone else use your YouTube account, you can share your password, but they'll have access to your email and all your Google services too. A safer option is to set up a separate account for them.

Don't ignore the recovery email or phone number Google asks for. If you lose access to your main email, the recovery email is how you get back in. Write it down or save it somewhere safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a credit card to create a YouTube account?

No. Creating a YouTube account and watching videos is completely free and requires no payment information. You only need a credit card if you want to buy movies, rent shows, or pay for YouTube Premium (a subscription that removes ads).

Can I create a YouTube account without a Gmail address?

You need a Google account, but you don't have to use Gmail. When you create a Google account, you can use any email address you already own as your recovery email. Google will create a new Gmail address for you, but you can sign in with either one.

What's the difference between a Google account and a YouTube channel?

A Google account is what you use to sign in. A YouTube channel is your public profile on YouTube—your channel name, profile picture, and description. You create the channel after you sign in, and you can have multiple channels under one Google account.

Can I change my YouTube channel name later?

Yes. Click your profile icon, select Create a channel or go to channel settings, and look for the option to edit your channel name. You can change it as many times as you want, though YouTube may limit how often you can change it if you do it very frequently.

What happens if I forget which email I used for my YouTube account?

If you signed in on that device before, YouTube may show you a list of email addresses you've used. If not, try the email addresses you think you used. If none of them work, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter a phone number or recovery email connected to your account.