The fastest way to sign in to YouTube
To sign in to YouTube, go to youtube.com, click the Sign in button in the top right corner, and enter the email or phone number linked to your Google account. Then enter your password. If you have two-step verification turned on, you will need to confirm your identity with a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.
On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube app, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, and tap Sign in. The steps are the same: email or phone number, then password, then any additional verification if you have it set up.
YouTube uses your Google account to sign you in. If you do not have a Google account yet, you can create one during the sign-in process by clicking Create account instead of Sign in.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube sign-in uses your Google account email and password, which is the same account you use for Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services.
- On a computer, click the Sign in button in the top right corner of youtube.com; on a phone, tap your profile icon in the YouTube app.
- If you have two-step verification enabled on your Google account, you will need to confirm your identity with a code after entering your password.
- Signing in lets you save playlists, watch history, subscriptions, and personalized recommendations across all your devices.
Signing in on a computer or web browser
Open any web browser and go to youtube.com. Look for the Sign in button in the top right corner of the page, next to the search bar. Click it.
A sign-in page will open. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Google account in the first field. Click Next. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If your account has two-step verification turned on, Google will send a code to your phone or ask you to confirm the sign-in from another device you use.
Once you have entered all required information, you will be signed in. Your profile icon will appear in the top right corner, and you can click it to see your channel, playlists, settings, and sign-out option.
Signing in on the YouTube mobile app
Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. At the bottom of the screen, you will see five icons. Tap the icon that looks like a person (your profile icon) on the far right.
Tap Sign in. You will see the same Google sign-in screen as on a computer. Enter your email or phone number, then your password. If two-step verification is on, complete that step as well.
After you sign in, your profile icon will show your profile picture or initial instead of a generic person icon. Tap it anytime to see your subscriptions, watch history, and settings.
What to do if you forgot your password
On the Google sign-in page, after you enter your email or phone number and click Next, look for the text Forgot password? below the password field. Click it.
Google will ask you to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a code by email or text message. Enter the code on the next screen, then create a new password. Make sure your new password is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to keep your account find.
After you reset your password, sign in with your email and the new password. You will be able to access YouTube and all your other Google services.
Signing in with a different Google account
If you have more than one Google account, you can switch between them without signing out. After you sign in with your first account, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Add another account. Follow the sign-in steps for your second account.
YouTube will remember both accounts. Click your profile icon and select which account you want to use. You can switch between them when ready without entering your password each time, as long as you stay signed in on that device.
To sign out of one account while keeping another active, click your profile icon, select the account you want to remove, and tap Sign out.
Why you should stay signed in
When you sign in to YouTube, the platform saves your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists across every device where you sign in with the same Google account. If you watch a video on your phone, you can resume it on your computer from where you left off.
Signing in also gives you personalized recommendations based on what you have watched, lets you create and manage playlists, and lets you upload videos if you want to create your own channel. YouTube remembers your preferences for video quality, captions, and playback speed.
If you use a shared device, you can sign out when you are done. Click your profile icon and select Sign out. The next person who uses that device will need to sign in with their own Google account to see their own history and recommendations.
Troubleshooting common sign-in problems
If you see an error message that says your password is incorrect, make sure you are typing it correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, which means capital and lowercase letters matter. If you are still stuck, use the Forgot password? link to reset it.
If you see a message asking you to verify your identity or confirm a sign-in attempt, Google is protecting your account from unauthorized access. Check your email or phone for a code or confirmation request. If you do not recognize the sign-in attempt, you can reject it and change your password.
If the YouTube app will not let you sign in, try closing the app completely and opening it again. If that does not work, go to your phone's settings, find the YouTube app, and clear its cache. Then open YouTube and try signing in again. On some devices, you may need to update the YouTube app from your device's app store first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to watch YouTube?
No. You can watch most YouTube videos without signing in. However, signing in lets you save playlists, get personalized recommendations, and access your watch history across devices. Some videos may be restricted to viewers who are signed in.
Can I use my YouTube channel name to sign in instead of my email?
No. YouTube sign-in always uses your Google account email address or phone number, not your channel name. Your channel name is just the display name people see when you comment or upload videos.
What is two-step verification and why do I need it?
Two-step verification adds a second layer of security to your Google account. After you enter your password, Google sends a code to your phone or asks you to confirm the sign-in from a device you trust. This prevents someone else from accessing your account even if they know your password.
Can I stay signed in on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. You can sign in to YouTube on your phone, tablet, computer, and smart TV all at the same time using the same Google account. Your watch history and subscriptions will sync across all of them.
What happens if I sign in on a public computer?
If you sign in on a public or shared computer, always sign out when you are done. Click your profile icon and select Sign out. Do not check the box that says Stay signed in on public devices, because the next person who uses that computer could access your account.