YouTube TV works on phones through the official app or a web browser, and the setup takes about five minutes
To watch YouTube TV on your phone, you need the YouTube TV app (on Android or iPhone) or you can open YouTube TV in any mobile web browser. If you already have a YouTube TV account, sign in with the same email and password you use on other devices. The app and browser version show the same live channels, on-demand shows, and recordings—the only real difference is that the app loads slightly faster and lets you read shows to watch offline.
You do not need a separate login for your phone. Your YouTube TV account works across all your devices at the same time, so you can watch on your phone while someone else watches on the TV in another room.
Key Takeaways
- read the YouTube TV app from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iPhone), or open any web browser and go to tv.youtube.com.
- Sign in with the email and password linked to your YouTube TV account—the same credentials you use on your computer or TV.
- The app and browser version show all the same channels and recordings, but the app allows offline downloads and works without an internet connection once a show is saved.
- YouTube TV lets multiple household members watch on different devices at the same time, so your phone viewing does not interrupt someone watching on the living room TV.
- If you forget your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in screen to reset it through your email.
Installing the YouTube TV app on Android
Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone and search for "YouTube TV." Tap the official app (the one with the YouTube TV logo—a white play button on a red background). Tap "Install" and wait for the read to finish. Once installed, tap "Open" to launch the app for the first time.
The app requires Android 5.0 or higher. If your phone is older and will not install the app, you can still watch YouTube TV in your phone's web browser by going to tv.youtube.com.
Installing the YouTube TV app on iPhone
Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for "YouTube TV." Tap the official app (the one with the YouTube TV logo). Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to read it, then tap "Open" once the installation finishes. You may be asked to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password—this is normal and required by Apple.
YouTube TV on iPhone requires iOS 12.0 or later. If your iPhone is very old and cannot update to that version, the web browser version at tv.youtube.com will still work.
Signing in for the first time
When you open the app or visit tv.youtube.com on your phone, you will see a sign-in screen. Enter the email address and password associated with your YouTube TV account. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (a security feature that requires a code from your phone or email), you will be asked to provide that code after you enter your password.
If you do not remember your password, tap "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen. Google will send a reset link to your email. Click that link, create a new password, and return to the YouTube TV app to sign in again.
Downloading shows to watch offline on the app
The YouTube TV app (but not the web browser version) lets you read recorded shows and watch them without an internet connection. Open the app, find a show in your library or in the "Recordings" section, and look for a read icon (usually a down arrow). Tap it to save the show to your phone's storage.
Downloaded shows stay on your phone for up to 30 days. After that, they expire and you will need to stream them again if you want to watch. Downloaded content counts toward your phone's storage space, so if your phone is running low on space, delete old downloads to free it up.
Watching live TV and recordings on your phone
Once you are signed in, the app or browser shows your channel guide at the top. Scroll left and right to browse channels and tap any channel or show to start watching. Your recorded shows appear in the "Library" or "Recordings" section—tap any recording to play it from the beginning or resume where you left off.
The app remembers where you stopped watching, so if you pause a show on your phone and later open it on your TV, you can pick up from the same spot. This syncing happens automatically across all your devices.
Troubleshooting common phone viewing problems
If the app crashes or freezes, close it completely and reopen it. If that does not work, restart your phone. If you see a message saying "You are not connected to the internet," check that your phone is on WiFi or has a strong cellular signal. YouTube TV needs a steady internet connection to stream live TV.
If you are signed in but the app says "This account is not authorized to watch YouTube TV," you may have signed in with the wrong email address. Sign out (usually in the app settings or account menu) and sign in again with the correct email. If you still see the error, your YouTube TV subscription may have ended—check your account on a computer at tv.youtube.com to confirm your subscription is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch YouTube TV on my phone without the app?
Yes. Open any web browser on your phone and go to tv.youtube.com, then sign in. The browser version works the same as the app, except you cannot read shows to watch offline. The browser version is useful if your phone does not have enough storage space for the app or if you prefer not to install it.
Will watching on my phone use a lot of data?
Yes, streaming video uses significant data. On a cellular connection, YouTube TV uses roughly 3 GB per hour at high quality. If you have a limited data plan, use WiFi when possible or read shows on the app to watch offline later, which only uses data once during the read.
Can multiple people in my household watch YouTube TV on different phones at the same time?
Yes, as long as they are signed into the same YouTube TV account. YouTube TV allows simultaneous streams on different devices, so one person can watch on a phone while another watches on a TV or tablet. However, the number of simultaneous streams may vary depending on your subscription plan.
What should I do if I forgot my YouTube TV password?
On the sign-in screen, tap "Forgot password?" and enter your email address. Google will send a password reset link to your email. Click the link, create a new password, and return to YouTube TV to sign in with your new password.
Why does the app keep signing me out?
If you are signed out repeatedly, your account may have been accessed from an unusual location or device, triggering a security logout. Sign back in and check your Google account security settings on a computer. If you see unfamiliar sign-in activity, change your password when ready.