YouTube TV is a separate app you read or access through your web browser, not a menu inside the regular YouTube app
YouTube and YouTube TV are two different services. The regular YouTube app shows you free and paid videos. YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service that requires a paid subscription and shows cable channels, sports, and news in real time. You cannot reach YouTube TV by clicking through the YouTube app — you have to go directly to YouTube TV instead.
The fastest way depends on what device you are using. On a phone or tablet, you read the YouTube TV app from your device's app store. On a computer, you go to tv.youtube.com in your web browser. On a smart TV or streaming device like Roku or Apple TV, you find YouTube TV in that device's app store and read it there.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV is a separate app or website, not a feature inside the regular YouTube app.
- On phones and tablets, search for "YouTube TV" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and read the official app.
- On a computer, go directly to tv.youtube.com and sign in with your Google account.
- On smart TVs and streaming devices, find YouTube TV in that device's built-in app store and read it.
- You need an active YouTube TV subscription to watch live channels; a regular YouTube account alone does not give you access.
Downloading YouTube TV on a phone or tablet
Open the app store on your phone or tablet. On an iPhone or iPad, this is the App Store. On an Android phone, this is Google Play Store. Search for "YouTube TV" in the search bar at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the official YouTube TV app when it appears in the results — it has the YouTube TV logo (a white play button inside a red square). Tap the read button (usually labeled "Get" on iPhone or a cloud icon on Android). You may be asked to confirm your identity or password. Once the read finishes, the button changes to "Open." Tap it to launch the app.
Sign in with your Google account. If you already have a YouTube TV subscription, you will see your channels and live guide. If you do not have a subscription yet, the app will show you an option to start a trial or purchase a plan.
Accessing YouTube TV on a computer
Open any web browser on your computer — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge all work. Type tv.youtube.com into the address bar and press Enter.
You will land on the YouTube TV homepage. Click the "Sign In" button in the top right corner. Enter your Google account email and password. If you have a YouTube TV subscription, your live guide and channels will load. If you do not have a subscription, you will see information about plans and a button to start a trial.
YouTube TV in a browser works the same way as the app — you can watch live channels, pause and rewind live TV, and access your saved shows. You do not need to read anything; the website works directly in your browser.
Getting YouTube TV on a smart TV or streaming device
On a smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.), use the remote to open the app store or app marketplace built into the TV. This is usually called "Apps," "Smart Hub," "LG Content Store," or something similar. Search for "YouTube TV" using the remote's keyboard or voice search.
Select the official YouTube TV app from the results and read it. Once it finishes, open the app. You will see a code on your screen — this is a sign-in code. On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/tv/signin and enter that code. This links your TV to your YouTube TV account without typing your password on the remote.
On a streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast, the process is similar. Open the device's app store, search for YouTube TV, read the official app, and use the on-screen code to sign in from another device. Once you sign in, YouTube TV is ready to watch on your TV.
What to do if YouTube TV does not appear in your app store
YouTube TV is not available in every country. If you are outside the United States, YouTube TV will not appear in your app store, and tv.youtube.com will not load. YouTube TV only works in the United States at this time.
If you are in the United States and YouTube TV still does not show up, make sure you are searching in the correct app store. Double-check that you are using the official YouTube TV app, not a third-party app with a similar name. The official app has the YouTube TV logo and is published by Google LLC.
If the app still will not read, restart your device and try again. If that does not work, sign out of your app store account, sign back in, and search again. On a computer, try a different web browser or clear your browser's cache and cookies, then go back to tv.youtube.com.
Switching between YouTube and YouTube TV on the same device
If you have both the YouTube app and the YouTube TV app on your phone, they are separate apps. Swipe to your home screen and tap whichever app you want to use. You can have both installed at the same time without any problem.
On a computer, you can have both tv.youtube.com and youtube.com open in different browser tabs. You can also be signed into both with the same Google account. Switching between them is just a matter of clicking the correct tab or typing the correct web address.
On a smart TV, both apps can be installed. Use your remote to navigate to the app you want and select it. The apps do not interfere with each other.
Troubleshooting sign-in problems
If you sign into YouTube TV and see a message that says you do not have a subscription, you need to purchase or start a trial of YouTube TV. Having a regular YouTube account does not give you YouTube TV access — they are separate services with separate subscriptions.
If you are signed in but the app keeps asking you to sign in again, try signing out completely and signing back in. On a phone, go to Settings, find the YouTube TV app, and clear the app's cache. On a computer, clear your browser's cookies and cache, then sign in again.
If you are using a family account or a shared Google account, make sure the person whose account has the YouTube TV subscription is the one signing in. YouTube TV subscriptions are tied to a specific Google account, and only that account (or family members added to a family plan) can watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch YouTube TV through the regular YouTube app?
No. YouTube TV is a completely separate app and website. You cannot reach it from inside the YouTube app. You must read the YouTube TV app or go to tv.youtube.com directly.
Do I need a YouTube account to use YouTube TV?
YouTube TV uses your Google account to sign in, which is the same account you use for YouTube. However, a regular YouTube account does not include YouTube TV — you need a separate YouTube TV subscription to watch live channels.
Can I use YouTube TV on multiple devices at the same time?
YouTube TV subscriptions allow you to watch on multiple devices, but the number of people who can watch at the same time depends on your plan. Check your subscription details in the YouTube TV app or at tv.youtube.com to see how many simultaneous streams you are allowed.
What if I forget my Google password?
Go to accounts.google.com and click "Forgot password?" Follow the steps to reset your password using your recovery email or phone number. Once you reset it, you can sign into YouTube TV with your new password.
Is YouTube TV free?
YouTube TV requires a paid subscription. Most plans cost between $55 and $85 per month depending on which channels you want. YouTube TV usually offers a trial period so you can test it before you pay.