What you need to open a YouTube account
You need a Google account to use YouTube — they are the same company, so YouTube does not have its own separate login. If you already have Gmail, Google Drive, or use Google Search signed in, you already have a Google account and can start using YouTube right now. If you do not have a Google account yet, you will create one during the YouTube sign-up process, which takes about five minutes.
The only information Google requires is an email address (which can be Gmail or any other email provider), a password you choose, your name, and your birth date. You do not need a phone number or credit card to watch videos or upload content, though Google may ask for a phone number later if you do something unusual on the platform.
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
- A YouTube account is a Google account, so if you have Gmail or any other Google service, you already have one.
- Creating a new Google account requires only an email address, password, name, and birth date.
- You can watch videos without creating an account, but you need one to save videos, create playlists, or upload your own content.
- The sign-up process takes about five minutes on any device and does not require a phone number or payment method.
How to sign up 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. You will see two options: one to sign in with an existing Google account, and one that says Create account. Click Create account.
Google will ask you to choose between creating a personal account or a business account. For most people, For myself is the right choice. Click it. Then fill in your first name, last name, email address (you can use an existing email or create a new Gmail address), and a password you will remember. Click Next.
On the next screen, enter your birth date and select your gender. Click Next. Google will show you its terms of service and privacy policy. Read them if you want to, then click I agree at the bottom. You are now signed into YouTube.
How to sign up on a phone or tablet
Open the YouTube app if you have it installed, or read it from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). When you open the app, you will see a Sign in button, usually in the top right corner or in a menu. Tap it.
Tap Create account. Choose For myself. Enter your first name, last name, and tap Next. Enter your birth date and gender, then tap Next. You will be asked to enter an email address and create a password. If you do not have a Gmail address yet, you can create one here. After you enter your information, tap I agree to accept Google's terms. You are now signed in.
The app may ask for permission to access your phone's contacts or camera. You can say yes or no depending on what you want to do — these permissions are not required to watch videos.
What to do after you create your account
Once you are signed in, YouTube will show you a home page with recommended videos. You do not have to do anything else to start watching. However, there are a few things you might want to set up right away.
Click or tap your profile picture in the top right corner. You will see a menu with options like Create a channel, Settings, and Sign out. If you want to upload videos or leave comments, you will need to create a channel, which is a separate step from creating your account. Most people can skip this unless they plan to post content. If you want to change your password, notification settings, or privacy options, go to Settings.
You can also customize your home page by subscribing to channels you like. When you find a channel you want to follow, click or tap the Subscribe button. From then on, new videos from that channel will appear on your home page.
The difference between a YouTube account and a YouTube channel
Your YouTube account is your login — it is what lets you sign in and watch videos. A YouTube channel is your public profile on the platform, where you can upload videos, create playlists, and interact with other users. You do not need a channel to watch YouTube. Most people who only watch videos never create a channel.
If you decide later that you want to upload videos or have a public profile, you can create a channel from your account settings. It takes less than a minute. You can have multiple channels under one account if you want to keep different types of content separate.
Troubleshooting common sign-up problems
If you see a message that says your email address is already in use, it means you have already created a Google account with that email. Go back to the sign-in screen and click Sign in instead of Create account, then enter your password. If you forgot your password, click Forgot password? and follow the steps to reset it.
If you are under 13 years old (or under the age of digital consent in your country), you cannot create your own account. A parent or guardian will need to create a supervised account for you through Google Family Link. This is a separate process that gives your parent control over what you watch.
If you see a message that your account was suspended or locked, it usually means Google detected unusual activity. Check your email for a message from Google explaining what happened. You can often unlock your account by verifying your identity through a phone number or recovery email address.
What you can do once you are signed in
With a YouTube account, you can save videos to a Watch Later list so you can find them again. You can create custom playlists to organize videos by topic. You can like or dislike videos, which helps YouTube recommend content you might enjoy. You can leave comments on videos and reply to other people's comments.
If you turn on notifications for a channel you subscribe to, YouTube will alert you when that channel uploads a new video. You can control these notifications in your settings so you do not get too many alerts. You can also adjust your privacy settings to control what information is visible to other users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card to create a YouTube account?
No. You do not need a credit card or payment method to create an account or watch videos. You only need a credit card if you want to buy something on YouTube, like a movie rental or a channel membership.
Can I use YouTube without creating an account?
Yes. You can watch most YouTube videos without signing in. However, you cannot save videos, create playlists, or see personalized recommendations without an account. Some videos are restricted to signed-in users only.
What happens if I forget my password?
Go to the YouTube sign-in page and click Forgot password? Google will ask you to enter your email address, then send you a link to reset your password. You will need access to the email address you used to create your account.
Can I change my email address after I create my account?
Yes. Go to your Google Account settings (not YouTube settings), click Personal info, and then click Email. You can change your email address there. You will need to verify the new email address before the change takes effect.
What is the difference between a Google account and a YouTube account?
There is no difference — they are the same thing. When you create a YouTube account, you are creating a Google account. That same account works for Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and all other Google services.