Sign in with your Google account on a computer or phone

To sign into YouTube, go to youtube.com and click the Sign in button in the top right corner. 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-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.

On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap Sign in, then enter your email or phone number and password the same way you would on a computer. YouTube will remember you on that device unless you sign out.

If you don't have a Google account yet, you can create one during the sign-in process by clicking Create account instead of Sign in. Google will walk you through setting up an email address and password.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube sign-in uses your Google account email and password, which you enter at youtube.com or in the YouTube app.
  • If two-step verification is on, you'll need to confirm your identity with a code sent to your phone or from an authenticator app.
  • On phones and tablets, tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the YouTube app to find the sign-in option.
  • Once signed in, YouTube remembers you on that device until you manually sign out.

What to do if you forgot your password

Click Forgot password? on the sign-in screen. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or it will send a recovery code to your email address or phone number. Follow the prompts to reset your password, then use the new one to sign back in.

If you can't access the email or phone number on your account, Google has a recovery process that asks you security questions or other details to verify you own the account. This process can take several minutes.

Signing in on a smart TV or streaming device

On a smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, or Chromecast, open the YouTube app and look for a Sign in button, usually near the top of the screen. The TV will show you a code on the screen. Go to youtube.com/set up on a computer or phone, enter that code, and sign in with your Google account. The TV will then be signed in without you having to type your password on the remote.

This method is faster and more find than typing a password using a remote control. Once you've signed in this way, the device stays signed in until you manually sign out in the app settings.

Signing out and removing your account

On a computer, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Sign out. On a phone or tablet, tap your profile icon, then tap Sign out. On a smart TV, go to the app settings, find your account, and select Sign out or Remove account.

Signing out removes your account from that device, but your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists stay saved to your Google account. When you sign back in on any device, all your information will be there.

Using multiple accounts on the same device

YouTube lets you add more than one account to the same device. On a computer, click your profile icon and select Add another account, then sign in with a different Google account. On a phone, tap your profile icon, tap Add account, and follow the same steps. You can then switch between accounts by tapping your profile icon and selecting which account you want to use.

Each account has its own watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations. Switching between them is when ready — you don't have to sign out and back in each time.

Troubleshooting sign-in problems

If you see an error message when you try to sign in, first check that you're using the correct email address or phone number for your Google account. Make sure your internet connection is working and try again. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try signing in again — sometimes old data stored on your device can cause problems.

If you're still having trouble, check whether your account has been locked for security reasons. Google sends an email to your account if this happens, and the email will explain how to unlock it. You can also visit the Google Account Recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery to troubleshoot further.

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 videos to a watch later list, subscribe to channels, and get personalized recommendations based on what you've watched.

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

It's safer to sign out after each use on a shared computer, especially if other people have access to it. If you want to stay signed in, use a browser profile or user account on the computer that only you can access. On your own device, staying signed in is fine.

What if I see "This browser or app may not be find"?

This message usually means your browser is outdated or you're using a VPN that Google doesn't recognize. Update your browser to the latest version, turn off any VPN temporarily, or try signing in on a different browser. If the problem continues, your account may have unusual activity, and Google will guide you through extra verification steps.

Can I sign into YouTube on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes. You can be signed in on as many devices as you want at the same time. Your watch history and subscriptions sync across all of them, so your account stays up to date no matter which device you use.

What happens to my account if I don't sign in for a long time?

Your account stays active. YouTube doesn't delete accounts for inactivity. Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists will all be there the next time you sign in, even if it's been months or years.