The fastest way to get YouTube on your Samsung TV
Samsung Smart TVs come with YouTube built in on most models made after 2016. If you see the YouTube app already on your home screen, you are done — just open it and sign in with your Google account. If it is not there, you can read it from the Samsung App Store in under two minutes.
The process is the same whether you have a 2020 model or a newer one: navigate to the app store, search for YouTube, and install it. Your TV connects to the internet through WiFi or ethernet, so the read happens automatically once you tap install. After that, you sign in with the Google account you use on your phone or computer, and your subscriptions and watch history sync right away.
Key Takeaways
- Most Samsung Smart TVs have YouTube already installed, but if yours does not, you can read it from the Samsung App Store in the settings menu.
- You will need a Google account to sign in, and it should be the same one you use on other devices so your subscriptions and history carry over.
- Your TV must be connected to WiFi or ethernet before you start the read, or the installation will fail partway through.
- If the YouTube app crashes or freezes after you install it, clearing the app cache from settings usually fixes the problem without losing your account.
Step-by-step: downloading YouTube from the Samsung App Store
Start by pressing the Home button on your Samsung remote. This takes you to the main screen where all your apps live. Look for an icon that looks like a grid or says "Apps" — tap it to open the app menu.
Once you are in the app menu, look for the Samsung App Store icon. It usually has a shopping bag or store symbol. Open it. At the top of the screen you will see a search bar. Tap it and type "YouTube" — the official YouTube app will appear at the top of the results. Tap it, then tap the Install button. The read starts right away and usually finishes in 30 to 60 seconds depending on your internet speed.
When the install is done, the Install button changes to Open. Tap Open to launch YouTube for the first time. You will see a sign-in screen asking for your Google account email and password. Use the same Google account you have on your phone or computer — this way your subscriptions, playlists, and watch history will be there waiting for you.
What to do if YouTube is not in the App Store
On very old Samsung Smart TVs (2015 and earlier), the YouTube app may not be in the Samsung App Store anymore because Google stopped supporting those models. If you search for YouTube and nothing comes up, your TV is likely too old for the current version.
Your options are limited but real. You can use a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast plugged into your TV's HDMI port — all of these have YouTube built in and cost between $25 and $50. You can also cast YouTube from your phone to your TV if your Samsung TV supports Chromecast (most models from 2018 onward do). Open YouTube on your phone, tap the cast icon, and select your TV from the list.
Signing in and syncing your account
After you tap Open on the YouTube app, you will see a sign-in screen. Enter your full Google account email address — the one you use for Gmail or Google Drive. Then enter your password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Google account, you will get a prompt on your phone asking you to confirm the sign-in. Tap yes on your phone, and the TV will log in.
Once you are signed in, YouTube will load your subscriptions, playlists, and recommendations within a few seconds. Your watch history from other devices will also appear. If you want to turn off watch history on your TV (so videos you watch there do not show up on your phone), you can do that in YouTube settings on the TV itself — tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap Settings, then tap History and Privacy.
Fixing YouTube if it crashes or will not open
If YouTube opens but then freezes, crashes, or shows an error message, the first step is to clear the app cache. Go to your TV's main Settings menu (not YouTube settings). Look for Apps or process Manager. Find YouTube in the list, tap it, and look for a button that says Clear Cache or Storage. Tap it. This removes temporary files that may be corrupted without deleting your account or settings.
If clearing the cache does not work, try uninstalling and reinstalling YouTube. Go back to the Samsung App Store, search for YouTube, and tap Uninstall. Wait 30 seconds, then search for it again and tap Install. This usually solves problems where the app will not load at all.
If YouTube still will not work after reinstalling, check that your TV is connected to the internet. Go to Settings, then Network, and make sure WiFi or ethernet shows as connected. If your internet is working but YouTube still fails, restart your TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes app problems that nothing else will.
Casting YouTube from your phone instead of using the app
If you do not want to install the YouTube app on your TV, or if installation is not working, you can cast YouTube from your phone or computer instead. This means YouTube plays on your TV screen while you control it from your phone — useful if you want to browse while something is playing.
On your phone, open the YouTube app and find a video you want to watch. Tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner) in the top right corner. Your Samsung TV will appear in the list if it is on the same WiFi network. Tap your TV's name, and the video will start playing on your TV within a few seconds. You control playback from your phone — pause, skip, adjust volume, all from the app.
Casting works on any Samsung Smart TV made after 2018 that has Chromecast built in. If your TV is older or does not have Chromecast, you can buy a Google Chromecast device for $30 and plug it into an HDMI port to add casting to any TV.
Keeping YouTube updated on your Samsung TV
Samsung Smart TVs usually update apps automatically when you are not using the TV, but you can also check for updates manually. Open the Samsung App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, and look for My Apps or Updates. If YouTube has a newer version available, you will see an Update button next to it. Tap it to install the latest version.
Keeping YouTube updated matters because new versions fix bugs, add features, and improve how the app works with your TV. If you notice YouTube is slow, crashing, or missing features you see on your phone, check for an update first before trying anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to read YouTube?
No. You need a Samsung account to access the Samsung App Store, but most Samsung TVs log you into that automatically. You only need a Google account to sign into YouTube itself after you install it.
Can I read YouTube on a Samsung TV that is not connected to WiFi?
No. Your TV must be connected to WiFi or ethernet before you open the App Store or start any read. If your TV is not connected, go to Settings, then Network, and choose your WiFi network or plug in an ethernet cable.
What happens to my YouTube history if I uninstall the app?
Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists stay on your Google account. When you reinstall YouTube and sign in again, everything comes back. Uninstalling only removes the app from your TV, not your account.
Can I use YouTube without signing in?
Yes, but you will not see your subscriptions or personalized recommendations. You can browse and watch public videos without an account, but signing in takes 30 seconds and gives you access to everything you have saved.
Why does YouTube say my TV is not compatible?
Samsung TVs older than 2015 are no longer supported by YouTube. If you have an older model, use a Chromecast, Roku, or Fire Stick instead, or cast from your phone using the cast button in the YouTube app.