Sign in with your Google account on any device

YouTube uses your Google account to log you in. If you already have a Gmail address, a Google account, or any other Google service account, you can use that same username and password to access YouTube. Go to youtube.com on a computer or open the YouTube app on your phone or TV, and you will see a "Sign in" button in the top right corner (on computers) or in the menu (on phones and TVs).

Tap or click that button and enter your email address or phone number associated with your Google account, then enter your password. YouTube will sign you in and remember your account on that device until you manually sign out.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube sign-in uses your Google account email and password — the same credentials you use for Gmail or any other Google service.
  • On a computer, the sign-in button is in the top right corner of youtube.com; on phones and TVs, it is in the menu.
  • If you do not have a Google account yet, you can create one for free during the sign-in process by choosing "Create account".
  • If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen and follow the recovery steps using your recovery email or phone number.
  • YouTube will keep you signed in on that device unless you manually sign out or clear your browser cookies.

Signing in on a computer or laptop

Open any web browser and go to youtube.com. In the top right corner, you will see a circular profile icon or a "Sign in" button. Click it. A sign-in window will open asking for your email address or phone number.

Type the email address or phone number linked to your Google account and press Enter or click Next. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Google account, you will be asked to verify your identity using a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app — enter that code to finish signing in.

Once signed in, your profile picture or initial will appear in the top right corner. Click it anytime to see your account menu, where you can access your subscriptions, playlists, watch history, and settings.

Signing in on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app. If you do not have it, read it from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone and iPad). When you open the app for the first time, you will see a menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner or bottom of the screen, depending on your device. Tap it and look for "Sign in" or a profile icon.

Tap "Sign in" and select the Google account you want to use, or enter your email address if your account is not listed. Enter your password on the next screen. If two-factor authentication is on, enter the verification code. After you sign in, your profile picture will appear in the menu, and you will see your personalized home feed, subscriptions, and watch history.

Signing in on YouTube TV or a smart TV

On a TV device, open the YouTube app. You will see a sign-in option on the home screen or in the menu. Select "Sign in" and the TV will display a code on the screen — usually a combination of letters and numbers.

On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/set up and enter that code. Then sign in with your Google account on that device. Once you enter the code and sign in, your TV will automatically log into YouTube and show your account. This method keeps you from having to type your password using a TV remote, which is slow and error-prone.

Creating a new Google account if you do not have one

If you do not have a Google account, you can create one during the YouTube sign-in process. Click or tap "Create account" on the sign-in screen. You will be asked to enter your first and last name, choose an email address (or use an existing email to create a Google account), and set a password.

Google will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number or recovery email. Once you complete these steps, your new Google account is ready, and you will be signed into YouTube when ready. You can now use this same account to access Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other Google services.

Recovering a forgotten password

On the YouTube sign-in screen, enter your email address or phone number and click Next. On the password screen, click "Forgot password?" Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or it will send a recovery code to your phone number or backup email address.

If you receive a code, enter it on the next screen. If you do not have access to your recovery phone or email, Google will ask you security questions or other verification methods to confirm your identity. Once verified, you can set a new password and sign back into YouTube.

Staying signed in and signing out

When you sign in on a computer, YouTube will keep you signed in on that browser until you manually sign out or clear your cookies. On phones and tablets, the app will keep you signed in until you sign out or uninstall the app. On a TV, you will stay signed in until you remove the account from the device settings.

To sign out, click or tap your profile picture in the top right corner (computer) or in the menu (phone or TV) and select "Sign out". If you are using a shared device, always sign out when you are done. If you want to sign in as a different user on the same device, sign out first, then sign in with the other account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not remember which email I used for my Google account?

Try the email addresses you use most often on the YouTube sign-in screen. If none of them work, go to accounts.google.com and click "Find my account". Enter your recovery phone number or email address, and Google will show you which email is linked to your account.

Can I sign into YouTube with a Facebook account or other social media account?

No. YouTube only accepts Google accounts for sign-in. You must have a Google account to use YouTube. If you do not have one, you can create a free Google account during the sign-in process.

Why does YouTube keep asking me to sign in again?

This usually happens if you cleared your browser cookies, are using private or incognito mode, or if your browser does not allow cookies. Try signing in again and make sure cookies are turned on in your browser settings. On phones, try closing and reopening the YouTube app.

Is it safe to stay signed in on a shared computer?

No. If you use a shared computer, always sign out when you are done. Anyone with access to that computer can see your watch history, subscriptions, and personal information if you stay signed in. On a personal device, staying signed in is safe.

Can I be signed into YouTube on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes. You can sign into your Google account on as many devices as you want at the same time. Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists will sync across all devices where you are signed in.