Creating a YouTube account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address
You need a Google account to use YouTube. If you already have Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service, you already have a YouTube account — you just need to sign in. If you don't have a Google account yet, you'll create one first, then YouTube opens automatically. The process is the same whether you're signing up on a computer, phone, or tablet.
YouTube doesn't charge a monthly fee to watch videos or create a channel. You can watch as much as you want with a free account. If you want to remove ads or read videos for offline viewing, YouTube offers a paid subscription called YouTube Premium, but that's optional.
Key Takeaways
- Go to youtube.com or the YouTube app, click the sign-in button, and choose "Create account" if you don't have a Google account yet.
- You'll enter your name, birth date, email address, and a password — use a password you don't use anywhere else.
- Google will ask you to verify your email by clicking a link they send you, which takes less than a minute.
- Once you're signed in, your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists save automatically to your account.
- You can change your account settings, profile picture, and channel name anytime after you sign up.
Sign up on a computer
Open your web browser and go to youtube.com. In the top right corner, you'll see a sign-in button. Click it. A menu will appear with two options: "Sign in" and "Create account." Click "Create account."
Google will ask you to enter your first and last name. Type them in and click "Next." Then enter your birth date and select your gender from the dropdown menu. Click "Next" again. On the next screen, you'll see an email address that Google suggests — usually something like yourname@gmail.com. You can use this one or type in a different email address you already own. Click "Next."
Now create a password. Use something you don't use for other accounts. It should be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or @). Type it in, then type it again to confirm. Click "Next." Google will ask a few security questions to protect your account — answer them honestly, as you may need them later if you forget your password.
Review the Google Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then click "I agree." Google will send a verification email to the address you entered. Open your email, find the message from Google, and click the verification link inside. This confirms that the email address is really yours. Once you click it, you're done — YouTube will open and you're signed in.
Sign up on a phone or tablet
Open the YouTube app or go to youtube.com in your phone's browser. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner (it looks like a circle). Tap "Create account." Choose whether you want to create a personal account or a business account. For most people, "Personal account" is the right choice.
Follow the same steps as the computer version: enter your name, birth date, gender, and email address. Create a password and answer the security questions. Tap "I agree" to accept Google's terms. Google will send a verification email — open your email app, find the message from Google, and tap the link inside.
If you're using the YouTube app and you don't see a verification email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. Sometimes email providers filter Google's messages by mistake. If you still don't find it, go back to youtube.com in your browser and look for a "Resend verification email" option.
What to do if you already have a Google account
If you have Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, or any other Google service, you already have a YouTube account. You don't need to create a new one. Just go to youtube.com or open the YouTube app, click the sign-in button, and enter the email address and password you use for that Google account.
The first time you sign in, YouTube may ask you to create a channel name. This is the name that appears next to your comments and videos. You can use your real name, a nickname, or anything else you want. You can change it later if you change your mind. Click "Create channel" and you're ready to go.
Signing in on different devices
Once you've created your account, you can sign in on as many devices as you want — your phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, or gaming console. Each time you sign in with your email and password, that device gets access to your account. Your subscriptions, watch history, and playlists will appear on every device you sign into.
If you share a device with someone else, you can create separate accounts for each person. On most devices, you can switch between accounts by tapping the profile icon and selecting a different account from the list. This keeps your watch history separate from theirs.
If you sign in on a device you don't own — like a computer at a library or a friend's phone — always sign out when you're done. Click the profile icon and select "Sign out." This prevents the next person who uses that device from seeing your private information.
Protecting your account after you sign up
Your YouTube account is connected to your Google account, which also controls your Gmail, Google Drive, and other services. Protect it by using a strong password that you don't use anywhere else. Write it down and store it somewhere safe, like a locked drawer or a password manager app.
Turn on two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security. This means that even if someone learns your password, they can't sign in without a code that Google sends to your phone. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left side, scroll down to "How you sign in to Google," and turn on "2-Step Verification." Follow the steps to add your phone number.
Check your account activity regularly to make sure no one else is using it. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security," scroll to "Your devices," and look at the list of devices signed into your account. If you see a device you don't recognize, click it and select "Sign out" to remove it.
Troubleshooting common sign-up problems
If you enter your email address and Google says it's already in use, you've already created a Google account. Click "Sign in instead" and enter your password. If you don't remember your password, click "Forgot password?" and Google will walk you through resetting it. You'll need to answer one of your security questions or receive a code on your phone.
If you don't receive the verification email within 10 minutes, check your spam or junk folder first. If it's not there, go back to the sign-up page and look for a "Resend verification email" button. Click it and wait a few more minutes. If you still don't get it, try signing in with the email address you used — sometimes YouTube lets you in even before you verify, and you can verify later.
If you see an error message saying "This email address cannot be used," the address may be blocked by Google for security reasons. Try creating an account with a different email address instead. If you need help, go to support.google.com and search for "create Google account," which will show you troubleshooting steps for your specific error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card to create a YouTube account?
No. Creating a free YouTube account requires only an email address and a password. You don't need to enter any payment information. If you later decide to buy YouTube Premium to remove ads, that's when you'll enter a credit card, but it's completely optional.
Can I use a fake name when I sign up?
Yes. You can enter any name you want when you create your account. You can also change your channel name anytime after you sign up by going to youtube.com, clicking your profile icon, selecting "Create a channel," and editing the name. Your real name doesn't have to appear anywhere on YouTube.
What's the difference between a Google account and a YouTube channel?
A Google account is your login — the email and password you use to sign in. A YouTube channel is your public profile on YouTube, where your subscriptions, playlists, and uploaded videos appear. One Google account can have multiple YouTube channels if you want separate profiles for different interests.
Can I delete my YouTube account without deleting my Gmail?
Yes. You can delete just your YouTube channel while keeping your Google account and Gmail. Go to youtube.com, click your profile icon, select "Create a channel," and look for a "Delete channel" option. Your Gmail and other Google services will stay active. If you want to delete your entire Google account instead, go to myaccount.google.com and look for account deletion options there.
How do I sign in if I forgot my password?
Go to youtube.com and click the sign-in button. Enter your email address and click "Next." On the password screen, click "Forgot password?" Google will ask you to answer a security question or send a code to your phone. Once you verify your identity, you can create a new password. Write it down somewhere safe this time.