Sign in on a computer or phone

Go to youtube.com in your web browser or open the YouTube app on your phone. In the top right corner, you will see a circular profile icon or the words "Sign in". Click or tap that button. You will be taken to a Google sign-in page — this is normal, because YouTube accounts are Google accounts.

Type the email address or phone number connected to your YouTube account, then press Enter or tap Next. On the next screen, type your password and press Enter or tap Next again. If you have set up two-step verification on your account, Google will ask you to confirm your identity using a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.

Once you have entered your password and passed any verification steps, you will be signed in. Your profile icon will appear in the top right corner, and you will see your subscriptions, watch history, and saved playlists.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube accounts are Google accounts, so you sign in with the same email and password you use for Gmail or other Google services.
  • The sign-in button is always in the top right corner of YouTube on both computers and phones.
  • If you have two-step verification turned on, you will need to confirm your identity with a code after entering your password.
  • Once signed in, your profile icon appears in the top right corner and you can access your watch history, subscriptions, and saved content.

What to do if you forgot your password

On the Google sign-in page, after you type your email address and press Next, look for the text "Forgot password?" below the password field. Click or tap that link. Google will ask you to verify your identity — usually by sending a code to your phone or recovery email address.

Enter the code Google sends you, then create a new password. Make it at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if you can. Once you have set your new password, return to YouTube and sign in with your email and the new password.

Signing in on a smart TV or streaming device

On a TV or streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick, open the YouTube app. You will see a sign-in code on your screen — a short string of letters and numbers. Write down this code or remember it.

On a computer or phone, go to youtube.com/signin and enter the code when prompted. Sign in with your email and password on that device. The TV or streaming device will automatically sign in once you have completed the sign-in on your computer or phone. You do not need to type your password on the TV itself.

Using a recovery email or phone number

If you no longer have access to the email address you used to create your YouTube account, you can recover it using a recovery email or phone number you added to your account earlier. On the Google sign-in page, click "Forgot password?" and follow the prompts to verify your identity using your recovery email or phone number instead.

If you did not set up a recovery email or phone number and cannot access your original email, the process takes longer. Google will ask you security questions about your account — such as when you created it or what devices you have used to sign in. Answer as accurately as you can. If Google cannot verify your identity through these questions, you may not be able to recover the account.

Staying signed in across devices

Once you sign in on a device, YouTube will keep you signed in unless you clear your browser cookies, uninstall the app, or manually sign out. On a computer, you can stay signed in to multiple YouTube accounts at the same time by clicking your profile icon and selecting "Add another account". Sign in with a different email and password, and you can switch between accounts by clicking your profile icon and selecting the account name.

On a phone, the YouTube app signs in one account at a time. To switch accounts, tap your profile icon, then tap "Switch account", and select the account you want to use. If the account you want is not listed, tap "Add account" and sign in with that email and password.

Security tips for your YouTube account

Use a strong password that you do not use on other websites. If someone gains access to a password you reuse, they could sign into multiple accounts. Change your password every few months, especially if you think someone else might know it.

Turn on two-step verification to add an extra layer of security. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left side, scroll down to "How you sign in to Google", and click "2-Step Verification". Follow the steps to set it up using your phone. After that, anyone trying to sign into your account will need a code from your phone, even if they have your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign into YouTube without a Google account?

No. YouTube is owned by Google, and all YouTube accounts are Google accounts. You must have a Google account to sign in. If you do not have one, you can create a Google account for free at accounts.google.com.

Why does YouTube keep signing me out?

YouTube may sign you out if you clear your browser cookies, if your browser is set to delete cookies when you close it, or if you have not used the account in a long time. Check your browser settings to see if cookies are being cleared automatically. If you want to stay signed in longer, adjust your browser settings to keep cookies.

Can I sign in with a phone number instead of an email?

You can use a phone number to sign into your Google account on the sign-in page, but your account is still tied to an email address. If you use a phone number at sign-in, Google will send a verification code to that phone number instead of asking for a password.

What if I see an "unusual activity" warning when I try to sign in?

Google shows this warning when it detects a sign-in from an unusual location or device. Click "Yes, that's me" to confirm it is you, or "No, that's not me" if you think someone else is trying to access your account. If you choose "No", Google will ask you to verify your identity and may ask you to change your password.

How do I sign out of YouTube?

Click or tap your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Sign out". You will be signed out when ready. On a phone, you may need to tap the profile icon, then tap "Sign out" at the bottom of the menu.