The fastest way to get YouTube on your Apple TV
YouTube is built into Apple TV as a pre-installed app on most models made after 2015. If you own a newer Apple TV, open the App Store on your device, search for YouTube, and tap Install — the app will read and appear on your home screen within seconds. On older Apple TV models (4th generation and earlier), YouTube may already be on your home screen, or you can find it in the Computers section of the menu.
If YouTube does not appear after installation, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart. This clears temporary files that sometimes prevent apps from showing up. After the restart, check your home screen again — YouTube should be visible.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube comes pre-installed on most Apple TV models made after 2015, so you may only need to open it rather than read it.
- If YouTube is not visible, restart your Apple TV through Settings > System > Restart to refresh the home screen.
- You must sign in with your Google account to watch your subscriptions, playlists, and history across devices.
- YouTube on Apple TV works with Siri voice commands, so you can say "Hey Siri, search for [topic] on YouTube" without typing.
Checking which Apple TV model you have
The steps to find YouTube differ slightly depending on your Apple TV generation. To find out which model you own, go to Settings > About on your device. Look for the model name — it will say something like "Apple TV 4K" or "Apple TV HD" — and note the year in parentheses if one appears.
Apple TV 4K (2021 and later) and Apple TV HD come with YouTube pre-installed and ready to use. Apple TV 4K (2017) and Apple TV (4th generation) also have YouTube available, though you may need to read it from the App Store. Older models like Apple TV (3rd generation) have limited app support, and YouTube may not be available at all on those devices.
Installing YouTube from the App Store
If YouTube is not already on your home screen, you can read it in about two minutes. Press the Apple TV remote's home button to go to the main screen, then navigate to the App Store (it looks like a blue square with a white symbol). Use the remote's trackpad or arrow buttons to highlight App Store and press select.
Once inside the App Store, use the search function at the top of the screen. Type "YouTube" using the on-screen keyboard or by speaking into your remote if it has a microphone. When YouTube appears in the results, highlight it and press select, then choose Install. The app will read automatically — this usually takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on your internet speed.
After installation finishes, you will see an "Open" button. Press select to launch YouTube, or go back to your home screen where YouTube now appears as a new icon. You can rearrange it by holding select on the icon and dragging it to a new position.
Signing in with your Google account
When you open YouTube for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. You have two options: sign in with your Google account to see your subscriptions and watch history, or browse YouTube without signing in. To sign in, select "Sign in" and follow the on-screen prompts.
Apple TV will display a code on your screen — usually four letters and numbers. Go to a computer or phone, open a web browser, and visit youtube.com/set up. Enter the code shown on your TV, then sign in with your Google account. Once you confirm, YouTube on your Apple TV will automatically log in and load your subscriptions, playlists, and recommendations within a few seconds.
If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com before starting this process. You will need an email address and a password.
Using YouTube with your Apple TV remote
The Apple TV remote controls YouTube through a combination of swiping and button presses. Swipe up, down, left, or right on the trackpad to navigate through videos, channels, and menus. Press the trackpad's center to select a video or option. The play/pause button (triangle symbol) starts and stops playback.
To search for videos, press the search icon (magnifying glass) on your remote. Speak your search term into the microphone if your remote has one, or use the on-screen keyboard to type. YouTube will show results as you type, and you can select any video to watch when ready.
Siri voice commands work with YouTube on Apple TV. Say "Hey Siri, search for [topic] on YouTube" or "Hey Siri, play [video title] on YouTube" and your Apple TV will find and play the content. This is faster than typing on the remote's keyboard.
Troubleshooting YouTube if it will not open or load
If YouTube opens but videos will not load, check your internet connection first. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Wi-Fi and confirm your Apple TV is connected to your network. If the connection is weak, move your Apple TV closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
If YouTube still will not load videos, force-quit the app and reopen it. Press the home button on your remote to go to the home screen, then swipe up on the trackpad while YouTube is highlighted. This closes the app completely. Wait a few seconds, then select YouTube again to reopen it.
If YouTube is not showing up on your home screen at all after installation, restart your entire Apple TV. Go to Settings > System > Restart and wait for the device to power off and back on — this takes about one minute. YouTube should appear on your home screen after the restart completes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch YouTube TV on Apple TV?
Yes, YouTube TV is a separate app from YouTube. Search for "YouTube TV" in the App Store on your Apple TV and install it the same way you would install the regular YouTube app. You will need a YouTube TV subscription to watch live TV channels and recorded shows.
Does YouTube on Apple TV cost money?
The YouTube app itself is free. You can watch free videos without paying anything. If you want to remove ads, you can subscribe to YouTube Premium, which costs a monthly fee — check YouTube's website for current pricing in your country.
Why does my Apple TV say YouTube is not compatible?
YouTube requires Apple TV 4th generation or newer. If you have an older model, YouTube may not be available. Check your model in Settings > About. If you have a very old Apple TV, you may need to upgrade your device to use YouTube.
Can I use YouTube on multiple Apple TVs with the same account?
Yes. Sign in with the same Google account on each Apple TV, and your subscriptions and watch history will appear on all of them. Your recommendations will be personalized based on what you watch across all your devices.
How do I sign out of YouTube on Apple TV?
Open YouTube, go to Settings (usually found by pressing the menu button or swiping down), scroll to your account section, and select Sign Out. You will need to sign in again the next time you open the app.