The simplest way to watch YouTube on your TV

You can watch YouTube on your TV through a device you already own — a smartphone, tablet, or computer — by casting or connecting it directly. The fastest method depends on what you have: if your TV is made in the last five years, it almost certainly has a built-in YouTube app you can open without any other device. If your TV is older or the app does not work, you can use a Chromecast device (about $30), an Amazon Fire Stick, an Apple TV, or straightforward plug an HDMI cable from your laptop to your TV.

The connection itself takes two to five minutes. Once linked, you control playback from your phone or remote, and YouTube remembers your account, subscriptions, and watch history on that TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Most modern TVs have YouTube built in — check your TV remote for a YouTube button or look in the apps menu before buying anything else.
  • If your TV does not have YouTube, a Chromecast or Fire Stick plugs into an HDMI port and costs less than $50.
  • Casting from your phone lets you send video to the TV while keeping your phone in your pocket, and works on any device with the YouTube app.
  • An HDMI cable from your computer or laptop to your TV is free if you already own the cable, and gives you full control from your keyboard and mouse.
  • YouTube on your TV uses the same account as your phone or computer, so your subscriptions and recommendations follow you automatically.

Using the YouTube app built into your TV

Most TVs made by Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, or TCL come with YouTube already installed. Look for a YouTube button on your remote — it is usually marked with the red YouTube logo. If you do not see a dedicated button, press the Home or Menu button on your remote, then look for an Apps section. YouTube should appear in the list.

Open YouTube and you will be asked to sign in. The TV will show a code on the screen and ask you to visit youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer. Type in the code, and your TV will link to your YouTube account. This takes about one minute. After that, your subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations will appear on the TV exactly as they do on your phone.

If YouTube is not in your apps menu and your TV is less than five years old, check the TV manufacturer's website or your TV's settings to see if there is a software update available. Older TVs sometimes need an update to add YouTube support.

Casting from your phone or tablet to your TV

Casting sends video from your phone to your TV without plugging in any cables. Your phone and TV must be on the same WiFi network. Open the YouTube app on your phone, start playing a video, and look for the Cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner, usually in the top right of the screen. Tap it and select your TV from the list.

Once you cast, the video plays on your TV and you can control it from your phone — pause, rewind, change the volume, or switch videos. Your phone screen goes dark and you can put it in your pocket. If you close the YouTube app on your phone, the video keeps playing on the TV.

Casting works on any TV that supports it — most modern TVs do, and if yours does not, a Chromecast device adds casting to any TV with an HDMI port. The Chromecast plugs into the back of your TV, connects to WiFi, and then appears in the Cast menu on your phone.

Using a Chromecast, Fire Stick, or similar device

If your TV does not have YouTube built in or casting does not work, a small device plugged into your TV's HDMI port solves the problem. A Google Chromecast costs about $30, an Amazon Fire Stick about $40, and an Apple TV about $100. All three have YouTube built in and all three let you cast from your phone.

To set up a Chromecast: plug it into an HDMI port on the back of your TV, switch your TV to that HDMI input, and follow the on-screen instructions to connect it to your WiFi. The setup takes about five minutes. Then open YouTube on your phone, tap the Cast icon, and select the Chromecast. A Fire Stick or Apple TV follows the same process.

These devices also let you use a remote control instead of your phone. The remote that comes with each device controls YouTube playback, volume, and channel switching. If you lose the remote, you can still cast from your phone.

Connecting your computer or laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable

An HDMI cable runs from your computer's HDMI port to your TV's HDMI port and displays everything on your computer screen on the TV. This is the most reliable method if you already own an HDMI cable — they cost $10 to $20 if you need to buy one. Open YouTube in your web browser on your computer, plug in the cable, and switch your TV to the correct HDMI input.

Your computer keyboard and mouse control YouTube playback. You can type in the search box, click on videos, and adjust volume from your computer. This method works on any TV with an HDMI port, even very old ones.

The downside is that you are tethered to the cable and your computer stays on while you watch. If you want to use your computer for something else, you have to unplug the cable or switch inputs.

Signing into your YouTube account on your TV

When you first open YouTube on your TV, it will ask you to sign in. The TV shows a code on the screen and tells you to visit youtube.com/set up on your phone or computer. Go to that website, enter the code, and select your YouTube account. The TV then links to that account and you are signed in.

Once signed in, your subscriptions, playlists, watch history, and recommendations appear on the TV. If multiple people in your household watch YouTube, each person can sign in with their own account. Most TVs let you switch between accounts by pressing a button on the remote.

If you forget which account is signed in, go to the YouTube app settings on your TV — usually found by pressing the Menu button and looking for Settings. You can see the account name and sign out if you need to switch accounts.

Troubleshooting when YouTube will not connect to your TV

If YouTube does not appear in your TV's apps menu, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If that does not work, check that your TV is connected to WiFi — go to your TV's network settings and make sure it shows a connected WiFi network. YouTube needs an internet connection to work.

If casting from your phone does not work, make sure your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network. Some WiFi networks, especially in apartments or offices, block casting. Try restarting both your phone and TV, then try casting again. If the Cast icon does not appear in the YouTube app on your phone, your phone may not support casting — older Android phones and some iPhones do not have this feature.

If you see an error code when trying to sign in, write down the code and search for it on Google along with the words "YouTube error". Most error codes have a known fix posted by other users who had the same problem. If nothing works, unplugging your TV for a full minute and plugging it back in fixes most connection problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for YouTube on my TV?

No. YouTube is free on your TV just as it is on your phone. You will see ads in videos unless you pay for YouTube Premium, which costs about $14 a month and removes ads across all your devices, including your TV.

Can I use YouTube on my TV without WiFi?

No. YouTube requires an internet connection. Your TV must be connected to WiFi, or you must use an Ethernet cable plugged into your TV or streaming device. Casting from your phone also requires both devices to be on the same WiFi network.

What if my TV is very old and does not have HDMI?

Very old TVs with only composite cables (red, white, and yellow plugs) cannot connect to modern streaming devices. Your only option is to use an HDMI cable from a computer or laptop and sit close enough to see the screen, or to replace the TV with one that has HDMI ports.

Will my watch history on my phone show up on my TV?

Yes, if you sign in with the same YouTube account on both devices. Your watch history, subscriptions, playlists, and recommendations sync automatically across your phone, computer, and TV.

Can I watch YouTube on my TV if I do not have a smartphone?

Yes. If your TV has YouTube built in, you can sign in using the set up code method on any computer or tablet. If your TV does not have YouTube, you can plug an HDMI cable from a computer to your TV and watch that way.