The fastest way to watch YouTube on Samsung Smart TV
YouTube comes built into most Samsung Smart TVs made in the last ten years, so you likely do not need to read anything. Open your TV's home screen, look for the YouTube app in your apps menu or home row, and select it. If YouTube is not there, you can add it through the Samsung App Store in seconds.
If your TV is older or YouTube is missing for another reason, you have two straightforward options: search the Samsung App Store directly on your TV, or use your TV's remote to navigate to the app and install it. Both take less than five minutes and require only your internet connection and Samsung account.
Key Takeaways
- Most Samsung Smart TVs have YouTube pre-installed and ready to use without any read step.
- If YouTube is not visible on your home screen, open the Samsung App Store on your TV and search for YouTube to add it.
- You will need a Samsung account to read apps, but creating one is free and takes under two minutes.
- Once installed, sign in with your Google account to access your subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations.
Check if YouTube is already on your TV
Before you search for YouTube, look at your TV's home screen. Press the Home button on your remote. Scan the apps row or grid for the YouTube icon — it is a red rectangle with a white play button. If you see it, select it and you are done.
If the icon is not visible on the main home screen, scroll down or to the side to see more apps. Many Samsung TVs organize apps into categories or hide less-used ones. YouTube might be in an Entertainment folder or further down the list. Check your TV's app menu or all apps section before moving to the read step.
How to read YouTube from the Samsung App Store
If YouTube is not on your TV, open the Samsung App Store. On most Samsung Smart TVs, this is a button on the home screen labeled "Apps" or an icon that looks like a grid. Select it and you will see a menu of available apps.
Use the search function — usually a magnifying glass icon at the top of the App Store — and type "YouTube". The official YouTube app will appear at the top of the results. Select it, then choose the button that says "Install" or "read". Your TV will read and install the app automatically. This usually takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed.
Once installation is complete, a "Launch" or "Open" button will appear. Select it to open YouTube for the first time. You can also find YouTube on your home screen or apps menu from that point forward.
Sign in with your Google account
When you open YouTube for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. YouTube uses Google accounts, so if you have a Gmail address, use that email and password. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com before you start.
After you sign in, YouTube will load your subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations. You can now search for videos, watch your saved playlists, and use all YouTube features the same way you would on a phone or computer.
What to do if YouTube will not install
If the install button does not appear or the read fails, check your internet connection first. Press the Home button, go to Settings, and select Network. Make sure your TV is connected to your Wi-Fi and the signal is strong. Restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
If the connection is solid and YouTube still will not install, try restarting the Samsung App Store. Close the App Store completely, wait a few seconds, and open it again. Search for YouTube once more and attempt the read. If this does not work, your TV's storage might be full — go to Settings, then Storage, and delete apps or files you no longer use.
For Samsung TVs older than 2012, YouTube may not be available in the App Store because the TV's hardware cannot support the current version. In that case, you can watch YouTube on a separate device like a phone, tablet, or streaming stick and cast it to your TV instead.
Using YouTube on your Samsung TV remote
Once YouTube is installed, you can control it with your Samsung remote. Use the arrow buttons to navigate, select with the center button, and press Back to go to the previous screen. Many Samsung remotes have a microphone button — press it and speak a search term like "cooking videos" or a channel name, and YouTube will search automatically.
If your remote does not have a microphone, you can still type searches using the on-screen keyboard. Navigate to the search box at the top of YouTube, select it, and use the arrow buttons to type. It is slower than voice search, but it works on all remotes.
Casting YouTube from your phone to your TV
If you prefer to control YouTube from your phone instead of the TV remote, you can cast videos directly to your Samsung TV. Open YouTube on your phone, select the video you want to watch, and tap the Cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner. Select your Samsung TV from the list, and the video will play on your TV while you control it from your phone.
Casting works over the same Wi-Fi network, so make sure both your phone and TV are connected to the same network. You do not need to sign in to YouTube on your TV if you cast from your phone — the video plays under your phone's account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to read YouTube?
Yes, you need a Samsung account to read apps from the Samsung App Store. Creating one is free and takes about two minutes. You will use your email address and a password you create. This is separate from your Google account, which you will use to sign into YouTube itself.
Can I read YouTube on a Samsung TV that is not connected to the internet?
No. Your TV must be connected to Wi-Fi to read apps from the Samsung App Store. YouTube also requires an internet connection to stream videos. If your TV is not connected to Wi-Fi, go to Settings, select Network, and follow the steps to connect to your home network.
What if my Samsung TV is very old and YouTube is not in the App Store?
Older Samsung TVs made before 2012 may not support the current YouTube app. In that case, cast YouTube from your phone or tablet to your TV instead, or use a separate streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV connected to your TV's HDMI port.
Will YouTube work if I am not signed in?
YouTube will play videos without signing in, but you will not see your subscriptions, watch history, or personalized recommendations. Signing in with your Google account takes 30 seconds and gives you access to all your saved content and preferences.
Can I delete YouTube from my Samsung TV and reinstall it later?
Yes. Press Home, find YouTube on your home screen or in the apps menu, press and hold the remote's select button, and choose Delete or Remove. To reinstall it, open the Samsung App Store, search for YouTube, and select Install again. Your Google account will still have all your subscriptions and history when you sign back in.