The basic sign-in process
To sign in to YouTube, go to youtube.com on your computer or open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. Look for the Sign In button in the top right corner of the screen. Click or tap it, then enter the email address or phone number connected to your Google account, followed by your password. YouTube uses Google accounts, so if you have Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service, you already have a YouTube account.
If you do not have a Google account yet, you can create one during the sign-in process by selecting Create Account instead of Sign In. Google will ask for your name, a new email address or phone number, and a password you choose.
Once you enter your credentials correctly, YouTube will either sign you in when ready or ask you to verify your identity using a second method — usually a code sent to your phone or email. This extra step is a security measure. Enter the code when prompted, and you will be signed in.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube sign-in uses your Google account email and password, which you can create for free if you do not already have one.
- The Sign In button is always in the top right corner on computers and in the app menu on phones and tablets.
- Google may ask you to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or email the first time you sign in on a new device.
- Once signed in, your subscriptions, watch history, and playlists will appear on every device where you use the same account.
- If you forget your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in screen to reset it through your recovery email or phone number.
Signing in on a computer or laptop
On a desktop or laptop, visit youtube.com in any web browser. In the top right corner, you will see a circular profile icon or the Sign In button if you are not yet logged in. Click Sign In. A new window or page will open asking for your Google account email or phone number.
Type your email address or the phone number linked to your Google account, then click Next. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If this is the first time you are signing in on this computer, Google will ask you to verify your identity. You may receive a code by text message or email — enter it when prompted. After verification, you will be signed in and can start watching.
If you use a shared computer, always sign out when you are done. Click your profile icon in the top right, select Sign Out, and confirm. This prevents others from accessing your account.
Signing in on a phone or tablet
On an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, open the YouTube app. If you do not have it, read it from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play Store (Android) for free. Tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. If you see Sign In, tap it. If you see your name or email, you are already signed in.
When you tap Sign In, a screen will appear asking for your Google account email or phone number. Type it in and tap Next. Then enter your password and tap Next. Google will likely ask you to verify your identity with a code — check your email or text messages for it, enter the code, and you will be signed in.
On phones and tablets, you stay signed in unless you manually sign out. To sign out, tap your profile icon, scroll down, and select Sign Out. Confirm when asked. This is useful if you are using someone else's device or selling your phone.
What to do if you forget your password
On the YouTube sign-in screen, click or tap Forgot password? below the password field. Google will ask you to enter the email address or phone number for your account. Type it in and click Next.
Google will then ask you to verify your identity. You may be asked to enter a code sent to your recovery email or phone number, or to answer a security question you set up when you created your account. Once you verify your identity, you can create a new password. Make it something you will remember but that others cannot easily guess — use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if possible.
After you reset your password, return to the sign-in screen and use your new password to log in. You will then be able to access your YouTube account on that device.
Staying signed in across devices
When you sign in to YouTube on one device with your Google account, your subscriptions, playlists, watch history, and recommendations follow you to every other device where you sign in with the same account. This means if you subscribe to a channel on your phone, you will see that subscription on your computer and tablet too.
If you want to keep your watch history private on a particular device, you can pause it without signing out. On a computer, click your profile icon, select Settings, go to History & Privacy, and toggle Pause watch history on. On a phone or tablet, tap your profile icon, select Settings, tap History & Privacy, and toggle Pause watch history on. Your account stays signed in, but YouTube will not record what you watch on that device.
Troubleshooting common sign-in problems
If you see an error message when trying to sign in, first check that you are using the correct email address or phone number for your Google account. Many people have multiple email addresses and forget which one they used. If you are not sure, try the email address you use most often or check your browser's saved passwords — your browser may have stored your YouTube email.
If you are still stuck, make sure your internet connection is working. Try signing in again, or try a different web browser if you are on a computer. If you are on a phone or tablet, try closing the YouTube app completely and reopening it. Sometimes a straightforward restart fixes temporary problems.
If you see a message saying your account has unusual activity or is temporarily locked, Google is protecting your account from unauthorized access. Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your identity. You may need to confirm a code sent to your phone or email, or answer security questions. This process usually takes a few minutes and then your account will unlock.
If none of these steps work, visit the Google Account Recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. This tool walks you through recovering access to your account step by step, even if you cannot remember your password or access your recovery email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate YouTube account or does my Gmail account work?
Your Gmail account is your YouTube account. YouTube uses Google accounts for sign-in, so if you have Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service, you can sign in to YouTube with that same email and password. You do not need to create a separate account.
What should I do if I share a device with family members?
Each person should have their own Google account and sign in separately. This keeps everyone's subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations separate. If you want to manage a child's account, Google offers Family Link, which lets you set up parental controls and monitor activity. Always sign out when you are done using the device if you do not want others to access your account.
Why is YouTube asking me to verify my identity with a code?
Google sends a verification code when you sign in on a new device or from a new location. This is a security measure to make sure it is really you accessing your account. Check your email or text messages for the code, enter it on the sign-in screen, and you will be signed in. You usually only have to do this once per device.
Can I sign in to YouTube on a smart TV or gaming console?
Yes. On most smart TVs and gaming consoles, open the YouTube app and select Sign In. The device will show you a code on the screen. Go to youtube.com/set up on a phone or computer, enter that code, and confirm. This method is safer than typing your password on a TV remote. Your account will then be signed in on that device.
What happens if I sign in on multiple devices at the same time?
You can be signed in to YouTube on as many devices as you want at the same time. Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists sync across all of them. If you are concerned about security, you can sign out of devices you no longer use by visiting your Google Account security settings and reviewing your active sessions.