Where to find and read the YouTube app

The YouTube app is free and available on both iPhone and Android devices. You read it the same way you read any other app — through your device's app store. On an iPhone, that's the App Store. On an Android phone or tablet, that's Google Play.

The app itself costs nothing, and you don't need a YouTube account to read it. However, you will need an account to sign in and save your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists once the app is installed.

Key Takeaways

  • The YouTube app downloads free from the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android devices.
  • Your device needs enough storage space — the app typically takes 100 to 200 MB depending on your device type.
  • After downloading, you can watch videos without signing in, but signing in lets you save your subscriptions and watch history.
  • If the app won't read, check that your device has enough storage space and that your internet connection is stable.

Downloading on iPhone

Open the App Store on your iPhone. Tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen — it looks like a magnifying glass. Type "YouTube" in the search box and tap the YouTube app when it appears in the results.

Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow (or the "Get" button if you haven't downloaded it before). Your phone will ask you to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Complete that step, and the app will begin downloading. Once it finishes, the button will change to "Open" — tap it to launch the app for the first time.

Downloading on Android

Open Google Play on your Android phone or tablet. Tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen. Type "YouTube" in the search box and tap the official YouTube app when it appears — it will have the red YouTube logo.

Tap the "Install" button. Your device may ask you to confirm that you want to grant the app permission to access certain features like your camera or microphone. Tap "Install" again to proceed. The app will read and install automatically. Once it finishes, the button will change to "Open" — tap it to launch the app.

Storage space and internet requirements

The YouTube app typically requires 100 to 200 MB of free storage space on your device, though this varies slightly between iPhone and Android. Before you start downloading, check how much space you have available. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, go to Settings > Storage or Settings > Apps.

You also need a stable internet connection — either Wi-Fi or mobile data — to read the app. The read usually takes a few minutes on a standard connection. If your read keeps stopping or failing, move closer to your Wi-Fi router or wait until your mobile signal is stronger, then try again.

Signing in after you read

When you open the YouTube app for the first time, you can watch videos without signing in. However, if you want to save your subscriptions, watch history, playlists, or upload videos, you'll need to sign in with a Google account.

Tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the app and select "Sign in." Enter your Google email address and password. If you don't have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com. After you sign in, your subscriptions and watch history will sync across all your devices.

Troubleshooting read problems

If the YouTube app won't read, the most common cause is insufficient storage space. Delete apps or files you no longer use, then try downloading again. Another common issue is a weak or interrupted internet connection — switch to a stronger Wi-Fi network or move to a location with better mobile signal.

If you've cleared storage space and have a strong connection but the read still fails, try restarting your device. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, then power it back on. Open your app store again and attempt the read. If the problem persists, uninstall any recent updates to your app store itself (on Android, go to Google Play > Settings > About Google Play > tap the three dots > select "Uninstall updates"), then try downloading YouTube again.

Keeping the app updated

After you read YouTube, your device will periodically offer updates to the app. These updates fix bugs, add new features, and improve performance. On iPhone, updates happen automatically if you have automatic updates turned on (Settings > App Store > App Updates > toggle "Automatic" on). On Android, go to Google Play > Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-update apps and select "Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi" or "Auto-update apps."

You can also update manually at any time. On iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and tap "Update" next to YouTube. On Android, open Google Play, search for YouTube, and tap "Update" if an update is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Google account to read the YouTube app?

No. You can read and install the app without an account. You only need to sign in if you want to save subscriptions, watch history, or upload videos. You can browse and watch public videos without signing in.

Can I read YouTube on a tablet?

Yes. The process is identical to downloading on a phone. Use the App Store on an iPad or Google Play on an Android tablet. The app works the same way on both device types.

What if I accidentally deleted the YouTube app?

You can read it again at any time using the same steps. Open your app store, search for YouTube, and tap Install or Get. If you signed in before, your subscriptions and watch history will return once you sign in again.

Is the YouTube app different from YouTube on a web browser?

The app and the website show the same videos and let you do most of the same things. The app is optimized for phones and tablets, so it's usually faster and easier to use on a small screen. Some features like offline viewing (YouTube Premium only) work only in the app.

How much data does the YouTube app use?

That depends on video quality and how much you watch. Watching in standard definition uses roughly 0.5 to 1 GB per hour. High definition uses 2 to 3 GB per hour. You can lower data use by changing video quality in Settings > Playback and Performance > Video Quality Preferences.