The basic sign-in process on YouTube
To sign in to YouTube, go to youtube.com and click the Sign in button in the top right corner. You'll see it next to the user icon. Enter the email address or phone number linked to your Google account, then click Next. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If you have two-step verification turned on, you'll be asked to confirm your identity using a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.
Once you've signed in, your profile picture or initial will appear in the top right corner. You can click it anytime to see your channel, uploads, watch history, and account settings. If you're signing in on a device you use regularly—like your home computer or tablet—you can stay signed in. YouTube will remember you the next time you visit.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube sign-in requires a Google account; if you don't have one, you'll need to create it first at accounts.google.com.
- The sign-in button is always in the top right corner of youtube.com, next to a user icon.
- If two-step verification is enabled on your Google account, you'll need to confirm your identity with a code after entering your password.
- You can stay signed in on devices you trust, and YouTube will keep you logged in until you manually sign out.
- If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen and follow the recovery steps to regain access.
What to do if you don't have a Google account yet
YouTube sign-in is tied to Google accounts. If you don't have one, you'll need to create it before you can sign in to YouTube. Go to accounts.google.com and click Create account. You'll be asked for your first and last name, a new email address (or you can use an existing one), and a password. Google will also ask for a recovery email and phone number so you can regain access if you forget your password.
Once your Google account is created, you can use that email address and password to sign in to YouTube. The same account also works for Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other Google services, so you only need to remember one login.
Signing in on the YouTube app
The YouTube app on your phone or tablet works the same way as the website. Open the app and tap the user icon in the top right corner (or bottom right on some phones). Tap Sign in, then enter your email address or phone number. Tap Next, enter your password, and tap Next again. If two-step verification is on, you'll confirm with a code.
After you sign in on the app, you'll stay logged in unless you manually sign out. This means your subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations will follow you across devices. If you share a device with others, you can add multiple accounts to the app so each person can sign in with their own account.
Two-step verification and security codes
If your Google account has two-step verification enabled, you'll see an extra screen after entering your password. Google will send a code to your phone via text message or ask you to open an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator). Enter that code on the sign-in screen to finish logging in.
Two-step verification adds a layer of security so that even if someone learns your password, they can't sign in without access to your phone. The first time you sign in on a new device, you may be asked to confirm it's really you. After that, the device is trusted and you won't need a code every time.
Staying signed in versus signing out
When you sign in to YouTube, you have the option to stay signed in. This is safe on personal devices like your home computer or phone. YouTube will remember you and you won't have to enter your password every time you visit. On shared devices—like a library computer or a family tablet—you should sign out when you're done so the next person doesn't see your watch history or recommendations.
To sign out, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Sign out. On the YouTube app, tap the user icon and select Sign out. You'll be logged out when ready and will need to sign in again the next time you want to watch videos or access your channel.
What to do if you're locked out of your account
If you can't remember your password, click Forgot password? on the sign-in screen. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, then verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. You'll receive a code or a link to reset your password. Follow the instructions to create a new password, then sign in with it.
If you can't access your recovery email or phone number, the process takes longer. Google may ask security questions or request other proof that the account belongs to you. This is intentional—it protects your account from being taken over by someone else. Be patient and provide as much information as you can to verify your identity.
Signing in on multiple devices
You can sign in to YouTube on as many devices as you want using the same Google account. Your subscriptions, playlists, and watch history will sync across all of them. If you watch a video on your phone, you can pick up where you left off on your computer. Your recommendations will also be personalized based on everything you've watched across all your devices.
If you want to sign out on a specific device without signing out everywhere, just use that device's sign-out button. Your account will stay active on your other devices. If you think someone else has signed in to your account without permission, you can sign out of all devices at once by going to myaccount.google.com, clicking Security in the left menu, scrolling to Your devices, and selecting Manage all devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a YouTube account and a Google account?
You don't have a separate YouTube account. YouTube uses your Google account to sign you in. When you create a YouTube channel, you're using your Google account credentials. One Google account can have multiple YouTube channels if you want them.
Can I sign in with a phone number instead of an email address?
Yes. On the sign-in screen, you can enter either the email address or the phone number linked to your Google account. Google will recognize either one and let you proceed to the password screen.
Why does YouTube ask me to verify my identity even though I entered the right password?
This usually means you're signing in from a new device or location, or your account has two-step verification turned on. Google is checking that it's really you and not someone else using your password. Confirm your identity using the code sent to your phone, and the sign-in will complete.
Will my watch history and subscriptions appear on a different device if I sign in there?
Yes, as long as you sign in with the same Google account. Your watch history, subscriptions, playlists, and recommendations will all sync to the new device within a few minutes. If you don't want your watch history to sync, you can pause it in your account settings.
What should I do if I see a sign-in attempt from somewhere I don't recognize?
Google will usually alert you if someone tries to sign in from an unfamiliar location. If you see a notification and it wasn't you, click "This wasn't me" and change your password when ready. Then go to myaccount.google.com and review which devices have access to your account under Security and Your devices.