Creating a YouTube account takes five minutes and requires only a Google account

YouTube accounts run through Google. If you already have a Gmail address, a Google account, or any other Google service, you already have a YouTube account — you just need to sign in. If you do not have a Google account, you create one first, then YouTube opens automatically. Either way, the process is straightforward and costs nothing.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are signing in on a computer, phone, or tablet, but the underlying process is the same. You will need an email address (which becomes your login) and a password you create yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • If you have Gmail or any Google service, you already have a YouTube account and can sign in with that email and password.
  • If you do not have a Google account, you create one by visiting accounts.google.com, entering your email or creating a new one, and setting a password.
  • On a computer, go to youtube.com, click "Sign in" in the top right corner, and enter your Google email and password.
  • On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube app, tap your profile icon, tap "Sign in," and enter your credentials.
  • Once signed in, your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists save to your account across all devices.

Signing in on a computer

Go to youtube.com in your web browser. In the top right corner, you will see a "Sign in" button. Click it.

A Google sign-in page will open. Enter the email address associated with your Google account. If you do not remember which email you used, try the one you use most often for Google services. Click "Next."

On the next screen, enter your password. Click "Next" again. If you have two-step verification turned on (an extra security step), Google will ask you to confirm your identity using a phone number or authenticator app. Follow those prompts. Once verified, you will be signed into YouTube.

Signing in on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app. If you do not have it, read it from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) — it is free.

Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. If you are not signed in, you will see a "Sign in" button instead. Tap it.

Enter your Google email address and tap "Next." Then enter your password and tap "Next." If two-step verification is on, complete that step. You will then be signed in, and your profile icon will appear in the bottom right corner.

Creating a new Google account if you do not have one

Go to accounts.google.com in your web browser or tap "Create account" on the YouTube sign-in screen. You will be asked for your first and last name. Enter them and click "Next."

You will then choose how to sign in. You can use an existing email address or create a new Gmail address. If you create a new Gmail address, type the name you want (for example, sarah.okafor or sarah.okafor.2024) and click "Next." Google will tell you if that name is already taken. If it is, try a variation.

Create a password at least eight characters long. Google will suggest a strong one, but you can create your own. Write it down somewhere safe. Click "Next."

Google will ask for your phone number and a recovery email (a second email address where Google can reach you if you lose access). These are optional but strongly recommended — they let you recover your account if you forget your password. Enter them if you want to, or skip this step. Click "Next."

Agree to Google's terms and privacy policy, and your account is created. YouTube will open automatically, and you will be signed in.

What happens after you sign in

Once you are signed in, YouTube remembers your preferences across all devices. Your watch history builds up — a list of every video you have watched, which YouTube uses to suggest videos you might like. You can turn off watch history in your account settings if you prefer YouTube not to track what you watch.

You can subscribe to channels, create playlists of videos to watch later, and like or dislike videos. All of these actions save to your account. If you sign in on a different device, you will see the same subscriptions, playlists, and history.

Your profile picture and channel name are visible to other users if you comment on videos or upload your own. You can customize these in your account settings.

Signing out

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, tap your email address at the top, and select "Sign out."

Signing out removes your account from that device. Your account itself is not deleted — it still exists on Google's servers. The next time you sign in, all your history, subscriptions, and playlists will be there.

If you forget your password

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. Google will send a code to that email or phone. Enter the code, and you will be asked to create a new password. Make sure it is at least eight characters long and something you have not used before.

If you do not have access to the email or phone number on your account, Google has a recovery process, but it can take several days. This is why adding a recovery email and phone number when you create your account is worth doing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a credit card to create a YouTube account?

No. Creating a YouTube account is free and requires no payment information. You do not need a credit card unless you want to buy something on YouTube, like a movie or a channel membership.

Can I use YouTube without signing in?

Yes. You can watch public videos without signing in. However, you cannot subscribe to channels, create playlists, or save your watch history unless you are signed in. YouTube will not remember your preferences.

What if I have multiple Google accounts?

You can switch between accounts without signing out. On a computer, click your profile icon and select the account you want to use. On a phone or tablet, tap your profile icon, tap your email at the top, and select a different account from the list. If the account you want is not listed, tap "Add another account" and sign in.

Is my YouTube account the same as my Gmail account?

Your YouTube account uses the same email and password as your Google account, but they are separate services. Your YouTube history and subscriptions do not appear in Gmail, and your Gmail contacts do not automatically appear on YouTube.

Can I delete my YouTube account without deleting my Google account?

You can remove your YouTube channel (your public profile and uploads) while keeping your Google account. Go to youtube.com, click your profile icon, select "Create a channel" or "Manage your Google Account," then look for deletion options in the Data & Privacy section. Deleting your entire Google account will also delete YouTube access.