The fastest way to get YouTube on your Samsung TV
Most Samsung TVs made in the last five years have YouTube built in already. Check your remote for a YouTube button, or look in your TV's app menu — if you see the YouTube icon there, the app is installed and you just need to open it and sign in with your Google account.
If YouTube is not there, the installation method depends on your TV's age and model. Newer Samsung TVs (2016 and later) read apps directly from Samsung's app store. Older models may need a different approach, or YouTube may not be supported at all.
The entire process takes about five minutes once you know which method your TV uses.
Key Takeaways
- Most Samsung TVs have YouTube pre-installed; check your app menu or remote before downloading anything.
- Samsung TVs from 2016 onward can read YouTube from the Samsung App Store using your TV remote and internet connection.
- Older Samsung TVs may require a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast instead of installing YouTube directly.
- You will need a Google account to sign into YouTube once the app is installed or opened.
How to read YouTube from the Samsung App Store
If your Samsung TV does not have YouTube already, use the remote to navigate to the app store. Press the Home button on your Samsung remote, then look for an icon labeled "Apps" or "Samsung Apps" — it usually looks like a grid of squares. Select it and press Enter.
Use the remote arrow buttons to scroll through the app list or search for YouTube by name. When you find YouTube, highlight it and press Enter. Select "read" or "Install" (the button name varies by TV model year). The app will read and install automatically; this usually takes one to three minutes.
Once installation is complete, you will see an "Open" button. Press Enter to launch YouTube. You will be asked to sign in with a Google account — use the remote to enter your email address and password, or scan a QR code with your phone if your TV offers that option.
What to do if YouTube does not appear in the Samsung App Store
Some older Samsung TVs (2015 and earlier) do not have YouTube available in their app store, even though the TV can connect to the internet. Samsung stopped supporting YouTube on these models years ago, and the app cannot be installed directly on the TV.
The solution is to use a separate streaming device. A Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV will all run YouTube and connect to your TV through an HDMI port. These devices cost between $25 and $100 depending on the model and features, and they give you access to YouTube plus hundreds of other apps your older TV cannot run.
If your TV is too old to have YouTube in the app store, check the TV's model number (usually on a sticker on the back) and search online for "[your model number] YouTube support" to confirm whether a streaming device is your only option.
Connecting your Samsung TV to the internet first
YouTube requires an internet connection. If your TV is not already connected to WiFi or ethernet, you must set that up before you can read or use the app.
For WiFi: Press Home on your remote, go to Settings, select Network, then WiFi. Choose your network name from the list, enter your WiFi password, and wait for the connection to complete. For ethernet: Plug an ethernet cable directly into the port on the back of your TV and into your router or modem. The TV will detect the connection automatically.
Once connected, you can proceed with downloading YouTube or signing in if it is already installed.
Signing into YouTube with your Google account
After YouTube opens for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. You have two options: enter your Google email and password using the remote, or use a QR code if your TV supports it.
The QR code method is faster. Point your phone camera at the code on the screen, tap the link that appears, and follow the prompts on your phone. Your TV will sign in automatically without you having to type anything on the remote.
If you use the remote to type, press the arrow buttons to highlight each letter or number, then press Enter to select it. This is slow but works on all TVs. Once you enter your credentials, YouTube will remember them and sign you in automatically each time you open the app.
Troubleshooting YouTube installation and sign-in problems
If the read stalls or fails, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it restarts, try downloading YouTube again from the app store.
If YouTube opens but will not let you sign in, check that your Google account password is correct by signing into Google.com on a computer first. If the password works there, restart the TV and try again. If you see an error message about your account, your Google account may have two-factor authentication enabled — sign into your Google account settings on a computer and turn off two-factor authentication temporarily, then try signing in on the TV.
If YouTube is installed but the app will not open, go to Settings on your TV, find Apps or process Manager, locate YouTube, and select "Clear Cache" or "Clear Data." Then try opening YouTube again.
Using YouTube on your Samsung TV remote
Once YouTube is installed and you are signed in, you can navigate using your Samsung remote. The arrow buttons move up, down, left, and right through videos and menus. Press Enter to select a video or option. The Back button returns you to the previous screen.
Some newer Samsung remotes have a microphone button that lets you search by voice — press it and say the name of a video, channel, or topic, and YouTube will search for it. If your remote does not have this button, use the arrow buttons and on-screen keyboard to type your search instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to watch YouTube on my Samsung TV?
No. The YouTube app itself is free and does not require a subscription. You can watch free videos with ads using just a Google account. YouTube Premium is optional and costs extra if you want to remove ads and read videos.
Can I use YouTube on a Samsung TV that is not connected to the internet?
No. YouTube requires an active internet connection at all times. Your TV must be connected to WiFi or ethernet before you can read the app or watch any videos.
What if my Samsung TV is too old to have YouTube in the app store?
Use a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast instead. These plug into your TV's HDMI port and run YouTube independently. They cost between $25 and $100 and work with any TV that has an HDMI input.
Can I watch YouTube on multiple Samsung TVs with the same Google account?
Yes. Sign into each TV with the same Google account, and your watch history and subscriptions will appear on all of them. You can watch different videos on different TVs at the same time.
How do I remove YouTube from my Samsung TV?
Go to Settings, find Apps or process Manager, locate YouTube, and select "Uninstall." The app will be removed from your TV. You can reinstall it anytime from the Samsung App Store using the same method you used to read it originally.