The YouTube app is available for free on phones, tablets, and some smart TVs through your device's app store
The YouTube app works on Android phones and tablets, iPhones and iPads, and many smart televisions. You read it the same way you read any other app: through Google Play Store on Android devices, the App Store on Apple devices, or your TV's built-in app marketplace. The app is free, requires no subscription to watch most videos, and lets you search, watch, and save videos offline on some devices.
The steps differ slightly depending on what you're using, but the process takes less than five minutes on any device. You don't need a YouTube account to watch public videos, though creating one (also free) lets you save favorites, create playlists, and subscribe to channels.
Key Takeaways
- Android users open Google Play Store, search for "YouTube," and tap Install; the app appears on your home screen when finished.
- iPhone and iPad users open the App Store, search for "YouTube," and tap Get, then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple password.
- Smart TV users navigate to their TV's app store (Samsung has Samsung TV Plus, LG has LG Content Store, Roku has Roku Channel Store), search YouTube, and select Install.
- You can watch videos without a Google or Apple account, but signing in lets you save videos, create playlists, and see personalized recommendations.
Installing YouTube on Android phones and tablets
Open Google Play Store (the app with a colorful triangle icon, usually on your home screen). Tap the search icon at the bottom and type "YouTube." The official YouTube app appears at the top of the results—it has the red YouTube logo and is made by Google LLC. Tap the app name or icon.
On the app page, tap the blue "Install" button. The app downloads and installs automatically. When it finishes, the Install button changes to "Open." Tap Open to launch YouTube, or close this screen and find the YouTube icon on your home screen or in your app drawer to open it later.
Installing YouTube on iPhones and iPads
Open the App Store (the blue icon with a white square). Tap the search tab at the bottom right. Type "YouTube" in the search box. The official YouTube app appears at the top—it has the red YouTube logo and is made by Google LLC.
Tap the cloud icon with a downward arrow (labeled "Get"). Your device asks you to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple password. Complete the confirmation step. The button changes to "Open" when the read finishes. Tap Open to start the app, or find the YouTube icon on your home screen later.
Installing YouTube on smart TVs
The process depends on your TV brand. On Samsung TVs, press the Home button on your remote, navigate to Apps, and look for the app store (usually called Samsung TV Plus or Samsung Apps). On LG TVs, press the Home button and look for LG Content Store or the app section. On Roku devices, press Home and select Roku Channel Store. On Amazon Fire TVs, select the Appstore.
Once you're in your TV's app store, use the search function to find "YouTube." Select the official YouTube app (made by Google) and choose Install or Add Channel. The app downloads and appears in your apps list. Open it and sign in with your Google account if you want personalized recommendations, or watch without signing in.
What to do if the app won't install
If you see an error message, first check that your device has enough free storage space. On Android, go to Settings > Storage to see how much space is available; aim for at least 100 MB free. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If storage is full, delete apps or videos you no longer need and try again.
If storage isn't the problem, restart your device completely (power it off, wait 10 seconds, and power it back on), then try installing again. If the app still won't install on Android, go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store, tap Storage, and select Clear Cache, then try installing YouTube again. On iPhone, sign out of your Apple ID, sign back in, and try the installation once more.
Signing in to your YouTube account
When you open the YouTube app for the first time, you see the home screen with trending videos. Tap the profile icon (a circle in the top right corner) to sign in. Select "Sign in" and enter your Google account email address and password. If you don't have a Google account, tap "Create account" and follow the steps to set one up for free.
Signing in is optional—you can watch most public videos without an account. But signing in lets you save videos to a Watch Later list, subscribe to channels, create playlists, and see recommendations based on videos you've watched. Your watch history and subscriptions sync across all your devices when you're signed in to the same account.
Updating the YouTube app
YouTube updates regularly with new features and security improvements. On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, select Manage apps and device, find YouTube in the list, and tap Update if an update is available. On iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll to find YouTube, and tap Update if one is available.
You can also turn on automatic updates so YouTube installs new versions in the background. On Android, go to Google Play Store settings and toggle on "Auto-update apps." On iPhone, go to App Store settings and toggle on "App Updates" under Automatic Downloads. Your app stays current without you having to check manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to watch YouTube?
No. You can watch any public video without signing in. A Google account is only needed if you want to save videos, subscribe to channels, create playlists, or see personalized recommendations based on your watch history.
Can I use YouTube on my computer instead of the app?
Yes. You can watch YouTube in any web browser by going to youtube.com. The app and website work the same way, and your account syncs between them if you sign in. Some people prefer the app on phones and tablets because it's faster and uses less data.
What if my device is too old to run the latest YouTube app?
Older Android phones and iPhones may not support the newest version. Check your device's operating system version (Settings > About on Android; Settings > General > About on iPhone). YouTube's system requirements are listed on the Google Play Store or App Store page. If your device doesn't meet them, you can still watch YouTube in a web browser.
Does the YouTube app cost money?
The app itself is free. YouTube videos are free to watch. YouTube offers a paid subscription called YouTube Premium that removes ads and lets you read videos, but it's optional—you can watch unlimited videos for free without it.
Can I watch YouTube offline after downloading the app?
Most videos require an internet connection. YouTube Premium members can read some videos to watch later without internet, but this feature is not available to free users. The app itself works offline once it's installed, but you need internet to stream videos.