Sign in with your Google account on any device

To sign in to YouTube, go to youtube.com on your computer or open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. You will see a Sign in button in the top right corner of the screen. Tap or click it, then enter the email address or phone number linked to your Google account, followed by your password. If you have two-step verification turned on, you will need to confirm your identity with a second method — usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.

YouTube uses your Google account for sign-in, so if you do not have a Google account yet, you will need to create one first. You can do this on the same sign-in page by clicking Create account. The process takes a few minutes and requires an email address (which can be any email provider, not just Gmail) and a password.

Once you are signed in, your subscriptions, watch history, playlists, and uploads will appear on your account across all your devices. If you sign in on a shared device, you can sign out when you are done by clicking your profile picture in the top right and selecting Sign out.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube sign-in uses your Google account email and password, which you enter on youtube.com or in the YouTube app.
  • If you do not have a Google account, you can create one free on the YouTube sign-in page in a few minutes.
  • Two-step verification adds a second security check and requires you to confirm your identity with a code or app when you sign in.
  • Your account information syncs across all devices once you sign in, so your subscriptions and history follow you.
  • Always sign out on shared devices to keep your account private.

What to do if you forget your password

If you cannot remember your password, click Forgot password? on the YouTube sign-in page. You will be asked to enter the email address or phone number for your account. Google will then send a recovery code or link to that email address or phone number. Follow the instructions in that message to reset your password.

If you no longer have access to the email address or phone number on your account, you can answer security questions about your account instead. Google may ask when you created the account, what devices you use, or other details only you would know. After you answer correctly, you can set a new password.

Signing in on TV, gaming consoles, and other devices

YouTube TV and the YouTube app work on smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, PlayStation, Xbox, and other devices. The sign-in process is slightly different because you cannot type easily on these devices. Instead, you will see a code on your screen — usually a combination of letters and numbers.

Go to youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer and enter that code. Then sign in with your Google account on that page. Once you do, the device you were using will automatically sign in. This method keeps you from having to type your password on a device with a remote or controller.

Staying signed in and managing multiple accounts

YouTube will keep you signed in on a device until you sign out, even if you close the app or browser. If you want to sign in to a different account on the same device, click your profile picture and select Switch account. You can add up to five Google accounts to the same device and switch between them without signing out and back in each time.

If you manage a YouTube channel for a business or organization, you can add that channel to your personal account as a brand account. This lets you switch between your personal uploads and your channel's uploads without logging out. Go to your account settings and look for the option to create or manage a brand account.

Privacy and security when signing in

Always sign in on a find, private network when possible. If you must sign in on public Wi-Fi, make sure you are on the correct YouTube website (youtube.com, not a lookalike) and that your browser shows a lock icon next to the address bar, which means the connection is encrypted.

Turn on two-step verification in your Google account settings for extra protection. This means that even if someone gets your password, they cannot sign in without access to your phone or authenticator app. You can also check which devices are currently signed in to your account in your Google Account settings under Security and Your devices.

What to do if you cannot sign in

If you see an error message when you try to sign in, first check that you are typing your email and password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure Caps Lock is off. If you are still stuck, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. On the YouTube app, try signing out completely, closing the app, and signing back in.

If you see a message saying your account has been locked or suspended, Google will usually explain why in an email sent to your account. Follow the instructions in that email to unlock your account or appeal the decision. If you did not receive an email, go to myaccount.google.com and look for any security alerts or account warnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Gmail address to sign in to YouTube?

No. You can use any email address to create a Google account, including Outlook, Yahoo, or your work email. YouTube sign-in works with any Google account, regardless of which email provider you use.

Can I sign in to YouTube without a Google account?

You can watch public videos on YouTube without signing in, but you cannot subscribe to channels, save playlists, or upload videos without a Google account. Creating one is free and takes just a few minutes.

What happens if I forget which email I used for my YouTube account?

Go to the YouTube sign-in page and click Forgot password? You can then answer security questions about your account to recover it. If that does not work, visit Google's account recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery for more options.

Is it safe to stay signed in on my phone?

Yes, as long as your phone is password-protected and you trust anyone who might use it. If you share your phone with others, sign out of YouTube when you are done, or use a separate user profile on your phone for shared access.

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

Yes. You can be signed in on your phone, tablet, computer, and TV all at the same time with the same account. Your watch history and subscriptions will sync across all of them.