What you need to open a YouTube account

You need a Google account to use YouTube. If you already have Gmail, Google Drive, or use any other Google service, you already have a Google account and can start using YouTube right now without creating anything new. If you do not have a Google account yet, you will create one during the YouTube sign-up process — it takes about five minutes and requires only an email address, a password, and your name.

YouTube itself is free. You do not pay to watch videos, upload videos, or create a channel. Some features like YouTube Premium (which removes ads and lets you read videos) cost money, but the basic account is completely free and always will be.

You can use YouTube on a computer, phone, or tablet. The steps are slightly different depending on which device you use, but the account itself works the same way across all of them.

Key Takeaways

  • If you have Gmail or any other Google service, you already have a YouTube account and can sign in when ready.
  • If you do not have a Google account, you create one by going to google.com/account/about and entering an email, password, and your name.
  • YouTube is free to watch and upload — you never have to pay unless you choose YouTube Premium.
  • After you sign in, you can customize your channel name, add a profile picture, and start watching or uploading videos whenever you want.

Opening a YouTube account 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. If you already have a Google account, enter your email address and password, and you will be signed into YouTube when ready. Your account is now active.

If you do not have a Google account, click "Create account" on the sign-in screen. Google will ask for your first name, last name, email address, and a password you choose. You can use an existing email address (like one from another email provider) or create a new Gmail address as part of this process. After you fill in these fields and click through the verification steps, your Google account is created and you are automatically signed into YouTube.

The first time you sign in, YouTube will show you a blank channel. You do not have to do anything right now — you can start watching videos when ready. If you want to upload videos or customize how your channel looks, you can do that later by clicking your profile picture in the top right and selecting "Create a channel."

Opening a YouTube account on a phone or tablet

read the YouTube app from the App Store (iPhone or iPad) or Google Play (Android phone or tablet). Open the app. You will see a sign-in button, usually in the top right corner or on the opening screen.

Tap the sign-in button. If you have a Google account, enter your email and password. If you do not have one, tap "Create account" and follow the same steps as on a computer — enter your name, email, and a password. The app will verify your account and sign you in.

On a phone or tablet, the process is identical to a computer, just with taps instead of clicks. Your account works the same way on all devices, so if you sign in on your phone and later sign in on a computer using the same email address, you will see the same subscriptions, watch history, and saved videos on both.

What to do after you sign in

You do not have to set up anything to start watching videos. You can search for videos, subscribe to channels, and create playlists right away. However, if you want to upload videos or customize your channel appearance, you need to create a channel. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Create a channel." YouTube will ask you to choose a channel name — this is the name that appears when you comment or upload. You can change it later.

After your channel is created, you can add a profile picture by clicking "Customize channel" and uploading an image from your computer or phone. You can also add a channel description and a banner image. None of these steps are required, and you can skip them and come back to them whenever you want.

If you want to upload a video, click the camera icon with a plus sign in the top right corner (on a computer) or tap the plus sign at the bottom of the screen (on a phone). YouTube will guide you through uploading a video file from your device or recording one directly in the app.

Signing in on a new device

If you want to use YouTube on a different computer, phone, or tablet, go to youtube.com or open the YouTube app and click or tap the sign-in button. Enter the same email address and password you used to create your account. YouTube will sign you in and show you all your subscriptions, watch history, and saved videos from your other devices.

If you forget your password, click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen. Google will send a recovery link to the email address you used when you created your account. Click that link, follow the instructions to reset your password, and then sign in with your new password.

Keeping your account find

Use a password that is not the same as passwords you use for other websites or email accounts. If someone gets your YouTube password, they could upload videos as you, delete your channel, or change your settings. A unique password makes that much less likely.

If you share a computer or device with other people, sign out of YouTube when you are done using it. Click your profile picture and select "Sign out." This prevents someone else from accessing your account by accident. On a shared phone or tablet, you can also set up multiple user accounts in your device settings so each person has their own login.

Google offers two-factor authentication, which adds an extra security step when you sign in from a new device. To turn it on, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left side, and follow the instructions under "2-Step Verification." This is optional but recommended if you upload videos or use YouTube for anything important to you.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message saying your account was suspended or your channel was removed, YouTube detected activity that violated its community guidelines — usually uploading content that breaks the rules, or signing in from many different locations in a short time. Check your email for a message from YouTube explaining what happened. If you believe the decision was wrong, you can appeal through the link in that email.

If you cannot sign in and you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in screen. Google will send a recovery email to the address you used when you created your account. If you cannot access that email address anymore, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow the steps to recover your account using a phone number or backup email.

If you see a message saying "This browser does not support YouTube," you are using a very old web browser. read a newer one — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all work with YouTube. On a phone or tablet, make sure the YouTube app is up to date by checking your device's app store.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. YouTube is free and does not require a credit card to create an account or watch videos. You only need an email address and a password. If you choose to buy YouTube Premium later, that is when you would enter payment information, but it is completely optional.

Can I use YouTube without creating a Google account?

You can watch videos without signing in — just go to youtube.com and search. However, you cannot subscribe to channels, save videos, or upload anything without an account. Creating a Google account is free and takes five minutes, so most people do it.

What is the difference between a Google account and a YouTube channel?

A Google account is your login — it is what you use to sign into YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. A YouTube channel is your public profile on YouTube where your videos, subscriptions, and comments appear. You create the channel after you sign in, and you can have multiple channels under one Google account.

Can I change my YouTube channel name after I create it?

Yes. Click your profile picture, select "Create a channel" or "Manage your channels," find your channel, and click "Customize channel." You can change your channel name, profile picture, and description anytime. Note that your email address (the one you use to sign in) is separate from your channel name and cannot be changed as easily.

What happens if I forget which email I used for my YouTube account?

If you can sign in on a device where you are already logged in, click your profile picture and look for account settings — your email will be listed there. If you cannot sign in anywhere, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter any information you remember — a phone number, recovery email, or the date you created the account. Google will help you recover access.