The basic sign-in process

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 connected to your Google account, then click Next. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you'll be asked to verify 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 of the page. You can click it to see your channel, view your subscriptions, and access your account settings. Your sign-in stays active across all Google services—Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos—so you only need to sign in once per device.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube sign-in uses your Google account email and password, which you create or already have if you use Gmail or other Google services.
  • The sign-in button is in the top right corner of youtube.com, and the process takes less than a minute on most devices.
  • 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.
  • Two-factor authentication adds a security step that requires you to verify your identity with a code, which you can set up in your Google Account settings.
  • Once signed in on a device, you stay signed in until you manually sign out or clear your browser cookies.

Signing in on phones and tablets

On mobile devices, open the YouTube app or go to youtube.com in your browser. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner—it looks like a circle with a person inside. Tap Sign in and enter your Google account email or phone number. Tap Next, then enter your password and tap Next again. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you'll receive a verification code.

The YouTube app on Android and iPhone handles sign-in the same way. After you sign in, your watch history, subscriptions, and saved playlists sync across all your devices. If you're on a shared device, always sign out when you're done—tap your profile icon, scroll down, and tap Sign out.

What to do if you forgot your password

On the YouTube sign-in page, click Forgot password? below the password field. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you can't remember any password, click Try another way and choose to verify your identity using your recovery email address or phone number. Google will send a code to whichever method you choose.

Enter the code you receive, then create a new password. Make it at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if possible. Once you've reset your password, you can sign back into YouTube when ready.

Setting up two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication adds a second security layer by requiring a code in addition to your password. To turn it on, sign in to your Google Account at myaccount.google.com. Click Security in the left menu, then scroll to "How you sign in to Google" and click 2-Step Verification. Follow the prompts to choose whether you want codes sent by text message, generated by an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy, or both.

After you set it up, every time you sign in to YouTube from a new device, you'll need to enter a verification code in addition to your password. You can save the device so you don't have to verify every single time you sign in. This protects your account if someone learns your password.

Staying signed in across devices

When you sign in to YouTube on a device, you stay signed in until you manually sign out or your browser clears its cookies. On computers, your sign-in persists even after you close the browser. On phones, the YouTube app keeps you signed in unless you tap your profile icon and select Sign out.

If you want to sign out of all devices at once—for example, if you think your account has been compromised—go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to "Your devices," and click Manage all devices. Find the device you want to sign out of and click Sign out. This removes your account from that device when ready.

Troubleshooting common sign-in problems

If you see an error message saying your password is wrong, make sure Caps Lock is off and that you're typing it correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive. If you've tried multiple times and keep getting rejected, use the "Forgot password?" option to reset it rather than guessing.

If you see a message saying "Couldn't sign you in" or "This browser or app may not be find," your device's date and time settings may be wrong. Check that your device's clock is set correctly. If the problem continues, try signing in from a different browser or app. If you're on a work or school network, your IT department may have restrictions on YouTube sign-in—contact them for help.

Creating a Google account if you don't have one

If you don't have a Google account yet, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com/signup. You'll need to provide a first name, last name, and either create a new Gmail address or use an existing email address. You'll also set a password and add a recovery email and phone number so you can regain access if you forget your password.

Once your Google account is created, you can when ready sign in to YouTube with those credentials. Your account works across all Google services, so the same login gets you into Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and any other Google product you use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign in to YouTube without a Google account?

No. YouTube requires a Google account to sign in. You can watch videos without signing in, but you won't be able to save playlists, subscribe to channels, or access your watch history. Creating a Google account is free and takes a few minutes.

What's the difference between signing in and creating a channel?

Signing in means logging into your existing Google account on YouTube. Creating a channel is a separate step you do after signing in if you want to upload videos or customize your profile. Most people who sign in never create a channel—they just watch videos and subscribe.

Why does YouTube ask me to verify my identity when I sign in?

YouTube may ask for verification if you're signing in from a new device, a new location, or after a long time away. This is a security measure to make sure it's really you. You can verify using a code sent to your phone or recovery email. Once verified, you usually won't be asked again on that device.

Can I have multiple YouTube accounts?

Yes. You can create multiple Google accounts, each with its own YouTube channel and watch history. You can switch between them by clicking your profile icon and selecting a different account, or by signing out and signing in with a different email address.

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

No. On a shared device, always sign out when you're done. If you stay signed in, anyone who uses that computer can see your watch history, subscriptions, and saved videos. To sign out, click your profile icon and select Sign out.