Sign in to the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console (2024)

Once you’re signed in, you can find your way around the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console. You can also connect your device to your smart TV and use your phone or tablet as a remote.

Note:

Learn how to sign out or remove an account from the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console.
If you're a YouTube TV member looking to watch YouTube TV on your television, check out the YouTube TV Help Center for more info.

How to Sign Into YouTube on Your TV

Start the sign in process on your smart TV or game console

To start, open the YouTube app on your TV or game console. If it isn’t already installed, download the YouTube app from your TV or console’s app store.
Go to the left-hand navigation.
Select Sign in .

You can sign in to YouTube using your phone, TV, or web browser.

Continue the sign in process with your phone

Note: Sign in with your phone is only available on select devices. If you can't sign in with your phone, try signing in on your TV or with a web browser.

Make sure your mobile device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.
Select Sign in with your phone.
On your phone, open the YouTube app.
Follow the instructions to sign in to your TV.

Continue the sign in process on your TV

Note: If you can't sign in with your TV, try signing in with your phone or with a web browser.

Select Sign in on your TV.
Use the keyboard to enter your email or phone number for your Google Account.
Click Next.
Use the keyboard to enter the password for your Google Account.
Verify your account.

Continue the sign in process with a web browser

Note: If you can't sign in with a web browser, try signing in on your TV or with your phone.

Select Sign in with a web browser.
A code will show on your TV.
On your phone, tablet, or computer, open a browser and go to youtube.com/tv/activate.
Enter the code shown on your TV.
Sign in with your account.

Use different accounts on your Smart TV or game console

In the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console, you can sign in to different accounts and easily switch between these accounts. Members of your household can add their own accounts, and guests can use YouTube signed out (guest mode). Guest mode lets others use YouTube on your TV or game console while signed out. Any actions taken while signed out in guest mode won't affect your account’s recommendations.

Note: If you select your kid’s profile, or a YouTube Kids guest profile, you’ll go to YouTube Kids. Learn more about this experience.

Add another Google Account on your smart TV or game console

To add another account in the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console:

Open the YouTube app on your TV or game console.
If the app opens asking you “Who’s Watching?” select the relevant option:
1. Guest: Lets you use YouTube signed out.
2. YouTube Kids: Lets your child use YouTube Kids while signed out. This option will only appear if you’ve set up a YouTube Kids guest profile.
3. Add account: Lets you sign in to your account.
4. Add YouTube Kids profile: Lets you sign in to a YouTube Kids profile.
If the app opens signed in to an account:
1. Go to the left-hand navigation.
2. At the top, select your profile picture.
3. Within the Accounts tab, select the relevant option:
  1. Guest: Lets you use YouTube signed out.
  2. Add account: Lets other members of your household add their account. You can sign in to YouTube using your TV or personal device.
  3. Set up YouTube Kids: Lets you set up a YouTube Kids guest profile your kid can use while signed out.

Switch between signed in Google Accounts on your smart TV or game console

You can easily switch between signed in accounts on your smart TV or game console.

Note: You can only switch between accounts after you’ve added the account on your smart TV or game console. If you need to add an account, use the instructions above and then use the instructions here to switch between accounts.

To switch between signed in accounts in the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console:

Open the YouTube app on your TV or game console.
If the app opens:
1. Asking you “Who’s Watching?”:
  1. Select the account you’d like to use for YouTube.
2. Already signed in to an account:
  1. Go to the left-hand navigation.
  2. At the top, select the profile picture.
  3. Within the Accounts tab, select the account you’d like to use for YouTube.

Troubleshoot sign in issues on your smart TV or game console

If you’re having trouble signing in to YouTube with your Google Account, you can get help signing in.

Signing in directly to YouTube on older Chromecast devices is not supported. You can control your cast session from your phone with the account signed in on your phone. Using a remote control, you can use the YouTube app signed out.

To engage with videos (such as liking videos or subscribing to creators), continue using your mobile device.