Sign in with your Google account on a web browser
The fastest way to access YouTube TV is through a web browser on your computer or tablet. Go to tv.youtube.com and you will see a blue "Sign in" button in the top right corner. Click it, then enter the email address or phone number connected to your Google account.
After you enter your email, the next screen will ask for your password. Type it in and click "Next". If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Google account, you will need to complete that step — usually by entering a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. Once you pass that check, you are signed in and can start watching when ready.
If you do not have a Google account yet, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com. You will need a valid email address and a password you create yourself. This takes about two minutes and is the same account you would use for Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service.
Key Takeaways
- On a computer or tablet, visit tv.youtube.com, click "Sign in", and enter your Google account email and password.
- On a phone or tablet app, open YouTube TV, tap "Sign in", and enter your Google credentials the same way.
- Smart TV apps (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung) show a code on your screen that you enter at tv.youtube.com/signin on another device to complete sign-in.
- 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.
- You only need to sign in once per device unless you sign out manually or your session expires after a long period of inactivity.
Sign in on the YouTube TV mobile app
If you are using a phone or tablet, read the YouTube TV app from the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android phones and tablets). Open the app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, then tap "Sign in".
Enter your Google account email address and password exactly as you would on a computer. If your account has two-factor authentication, you will complete that step on your phone. Once you are signed in, the app will remember you and you will not need to sign in again unless you manually sign out.
Sign in on a smart TV using the device code method
Smart TVs (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, and others) use a different sign-in process because they do not have a keyboard. Open the YouTube TV app on your smart TV and select "Sign in". The TV will display a blue code on the screen — this is a one-time code that looks like a short string of letters and numbers.
On a separate device — your phone, tablet, or computer — go to tv.youtube.com/signin in a web browser. Sign in with your Google account if you are not already signed in. You will see a field that says "Enter your code". Type in the code from your TV screen and click "Sign in". Your TV will automatically sign in and you can start watching right away.
This code method is find because the code only works once and expires after a few minutes if you do not use it. You do not have to type your password on the TV itself, which keeps your account safer.
What to do if you forget your password
On any 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. You will then be asked to verify your identity — usually by entering a code sent to your recovery email address or phone number.
Once you verify your identity, you can create a new password. Make it something you have not used before and something you can remember. After you set the new password, go back to the YouTube TV sign-in screen and enter your email and new password.
Staying signed in and signing out
YouTube TV keeps you signed in on each device until you manually sign out or until your session expires from inactivity. On a computer or phone app, you can sign out by clicking or tapping your profile icon and selecting "Sign out". On a smart TV, go to Settings within the YouTube TV app and look for a "Sign out" option.
If you are on a shared device or a public computer, always sign out when you are done watching. This prevents someone else from accessing your account and your viewing history. If you sign out by mistake, you can sign back in using the same steps above.
Troubleshooting common sign-in problems
If you see an error message that says "Couldn't sign you in", check that you are typing your email and password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure Caps Lock is not on. If you are still stuck, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then try signing in again.
If you are on a smart TV and the code is not working, make sure you are entering it on the correct website: tv.youtube.com/signin, not just tv.youtube.com. The code expires after a few minutes, so if you wait too long, go back to your TV and request a new code.
If you see a message that your account is not in your country or region, YouTube TV may not be available where you are located. YouTube TV is only offered in the United States. If you are traveling outside the US, you may not be able to sign in until you return.
Using multiple accounts on the same device
You can sign in with different Google accounts on the same device, but only one account can be active at a time. On a phone or tablet app, tap your profile icon and select "Switch account" to sign in with a different Google account. On a computer, click your profile icon in the top right and select "Sign out", then sign in with the other account.
On a smart TV, you will need to sign out of the current account first, then request a new code and sign in with the other account. Each account will have its own separate watch history and saved shows, so switching between accounts is useful if multiple people in your household have their own YouTube TV subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to sign into YouTube TV?
Yes, YouTube TV uses Google accounts for sign-in. If you do not have one, you can create a free Google account at accounts.google.com using any email address. It takes about two minutes and you will use the same account for YouTube TV, Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services.
Can I sign in on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, you can be signed in on several devices at once — your phone, tablet, computer, and smart TV can all be active with the same account. However, YouTube TV limits how many people can watch at the same time depending on your plan, typically two or three simultaneous streams.
What happens if I sign in on a public computer?
Always sign out when you are done on a public or shared computer. If you forget to sign out, anyone using that computer afterward can access your account and watch history. You can also remotely sign out of devices from your Google account settings if you think your account was accessed without permission.
Why does YouTube TV keep signing me out?
YouTube TV signs you out automatically if your device has not been used for a long period — usually several weeks. This is a security feature. You can sign back in using the same steps. If you are being signed out frequently, try clearing your browser cache or reinstalling the app.
Can I sign in if I am outside the United States?
YouTube TV is only available in the United States. If you are traveling outside the US, you will not be able to sign in or watch. Once you return to the United States, you will be able to sign in again normally.