YouTube comes as a web app or a desktop app, depending on what you want
YouTube runs in your web browser without any installation — you go to youtube.com and start watching. If you want YouTube to work more like a standalone program on your desktop, you can install the YouTube app from Microsoft Store (Windows) or the Mac App Store (Mac). The web version works on any computer with a browser. The app version gives you a desktop icon, faster startup, and notifications, but both play the same videos.
Which one you choose depends on how often you use YouTube and whether you want it separate from your browser. Most people use the web version. The app is useful if you watch YouTube constantly and want it pinned to your taskbar or dock.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube in your browser requires no installation — just go to youtube.com and sign in with your Google account.
- The YouTube desktop app installs from Microsoft Store on Windows or Mac App Store on Mac, and takes about two minutes.
- The web version and app version play identical videos and use the same account; the app is just a separate window on your desktop.
- You need a Google account to sign in and save your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists on any device.
Using YouTube in your web browser (no installation needed)
Open any web browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari — and go to youtube.com. You will see the YouTube homepage with trending videos and recommendations. If you want to sign in, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Sign in". Enter your Google account email and password.
Once you are signed in, YouTube remembers your subscriptions, watch history, and playlists across any device where you sign in. You can watch videos, create playlists, and adjust settings without installing anything. This is the fastest way to start watching YouTube on a new computer.
Installing the YouTube app on Windows
Open Microsoft Store on your Windows computer. You can find it by clicking the Windows icon in the taskbar and typing "Microsoft Store", or by searching your Start menu. Click the search icon at the top of Microsoft Store and type "YouTube".
The official YouTube app will appear at the top of the results. Click it, then click the "Install" button. The app downloads and installs automatically — this usually takes one to two minutes depending on your internet speed. Once installation finishes, click "Open" to launch YouTube, or find the YouTube icon in your Start menu anytime you want to use it.
Sign in with your Google account the first time you open the app. Your subscriptions, history, and playlists will sync automatically from any other device where you are signed in.
Installing the YouTube app on Mac
Open the Mac App Store — you can find it in your Applications folder or by clicking the Launchpad icon in your dock. Click the search icon at the top and type "YouTube". The official YouTube app will appear in the results.
Click the app, then click the cloud icon with a down arrow to read and install it. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted. The app installs automatically and appears in your Applications folder. Open it by clicking the Launchpad icon and selecting YouTube, or by opening Applications and double-clicking YouTube.
Sign in with your Google account when you first open the app. Your account information syncs across all your devices automatically.
What to do if YouTube won't install
If the install button does not appear or the app will not read, check that you have enough free space on your computer. YouTube needs about 200 MB of free storage. Restart your computer and try again — this fixes most installation problems.
If you are using a work or school computer, your administrator may have blocked app installations. Try using YouTube in your web browser instead, which does not require any installation. If the web version also does not work, contact your IT department or school tech support.
Signing in and syncing your account
Whether you use the web version or the app, you need a Google account to save your preferences. Click your profile icon and select "Sign in", then enter your Google email and password. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com.
Once you are signed in, YouTube remembers everything: your subscriptions, videos you have watched, playlists you created, and your watch settings like volume and video quality. This information syncs across your phone, tablet, and any other computer where you sign in. You can watch a video on your phone and pick up where you left off on your computer.
Uninstalling the YouTube app if you no longer want it
On Windows: Open Microsoft Store, click the three dots next to the YouTube app, and select "Uninstall". Confirm when prompted. The app is removed from your computer, but you can always reinstall it later from Microsoft Store.
On Mac: Open Applications, right-click YouTube, and select "Move to Trash". Empty your trash to permanently remove it. You can reinstall from the Mac App Store anytime.
Uninstalling the app does not delete your YouTube account or your watch history. When you sign back in on any device, all your information is still there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install YouTube or can I just use it in my browser?
You can use YouTube in your browser without installing anything — just go to youtube.com. The app is optional and only useful if you want YouTube as a separate desktop window. Both versions use the same account and play identical videos.
Is the YouTube app free?
Yes, the YouTube app is free from Microsoft Store and the Mac App Store. There are no hidden costs or subscriptions required to read and use it. YouTube Premium is a paid subscription for ad-free watching, but that is separate from the app itself.
Will my watch history and subscriptions transfer if I install the app?
Yes, if you sign in with the same Google account on the app that you use in your browser, all your subscriptions, playlists, and watch history appear automatically. YouTube syncs this information across all devices where you are signed in.
Can I use YouTube without a Google account?
You can watch public videos without signing in, but you cannot save your watch history, create playlists, or subscribe to channels. Creating a free Google account takes about two minutes and lets you use all YouTube features across any device.
What if I install the app but prefer the browser version?
You can use both at the same time — they do not interfere with each other. Just uninstall the app from Microsoft Store or the Mac App Store if you decide you do not want it, and continue using youtube.com in your browser.