The basic steps to sign into your YouTube account

To log into YouTube, go to youtube.com in your web browser and click the Sign in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address or phone number connected to your Google account, then click Next. On the next screen, enter your password and click Next again. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will be asked to verify your identity using a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app — enter that code and you will be logged in.

On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube app instead of using a browser. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner, then tap Sign in. Follow the same steps: enter your email or phone number, then your password, then any verification code if required. Once you are signed in, your subscriptions, watch history, and saved playlists will appear on your home feed.

If you do not yet have a Google account, you will need to create one before you can use YouTube. YouTube is owned by Google, so a YouTube account and a Google account are the same thing. You can create a Google account at accounts.google.com by clicking Create account and filling in your name, email address, and a password.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube uses your Google account to sign you in, so you need a Google account before you can log into YouTube.
  • On a computer, go to youtube.com and click Sign in in the top right; on a phone, open the YouTube app and tap your profile icon.
  • If two-factor authentication is enabled on your account, you will need to enter a verification code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.
  • Once you are signed in, your subscriptions, watch history, and playlists sync across all devices where you log in with the same account.

What to do if you forgot your password

If you cannot remember your password, click Forgot password? on the sign-in screen. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or if you cannot remember any password, click Try another way. You can then verify your identity by entering a recovery email address or phone number associated with your account, and Google will send you a link to reset your password.

Check the email inbox or text messages for the recovery link. Click the link and enter a new password twice to confirm it. Make sure your new password is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — this makes it harder for someone else to guess. Once you have reset your password, return to youtube.com and sign in with your email address and new password.

Signing in on multiple devices

You can sign into YouTube on as many devices as you want using the same Google account. Your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists will sync across all of them, so if you watch a video on your phone, you can continue watching it on your computer from where you left off.

To sign in on a new device, follow the same steps: enter your email address, password, and any verification code. If you use two-factor authentication, Google may ask you to verify the new device the first time you sign in — this is a security measure to make sure someone else is not trying to access your account. You can choose to trust that device for 30 days so you do not have to verify every time.

Staying signed in versus signing out

When you sign in to YouTube, the site will remember you on that device by default. This means the next time you visit youtube.com or open the YouTube app, you will already be signed in without having to enter your password again. This is convenient if you are the only person using that device.

If you share a device with other people, you should sign out when you are done. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Sign out. This removes your account from that device, and the next person who uses it will see a blank home feed until they sign in with their own account. On a shared phone or tablet, signing out is especially important to keep your watch history and subscriptions private.

Troubleshooting common sign-in problems

If you see an error message when trying to sign in, the most common cause is that your email address or password is typed incorrectly. Check that the caps lock key is not on, and make sure there are no extra spaces before or after your email address. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning YouTube treats uppercase and lowercase letters differently.

If you are certain your email and password are correct but you still cannot sign in, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies. In most browsers, you can do this by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac, then selecting the option to clear browsing data. Close the browser completely and open it again, then try signing in once more.

If you are signing in on a phone or tablet and the app keeps asking you to sign in even after you enter your password, try uninstalling and reinstalling the YouTube app. Open your device's app store, search for YouTube, and tap Uninstall or Remove. Then search for YouTube again and tap Install to read a fresh copy. Sign in once more and the problem should be resolved.

Using YouTube without signing in

You can watch public YouTube videos without signing in — just go to youtube.com and search for what you want to watch. However, without signing in, YouTube cannot save your watch history, remember your subscriptions, or show you personalized recommendations. If you sign out and then come back later, YouTube will not remember which videos you have already watched.

Some features require you to be signed in. You cannot upload videos, create playlists, or leave comments without an account. If you try to do any of these things, YouTube will prompt you to sign in first. Signing in also lets you control your privacy settings and decide what information YouTube collects about your viewing habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Gmail address to create a YouTube account?

No. When you create a Google account, you can use any email address you already own — it does not have to be a Gmail address. You can use an email from Outlook, Yahoo, or any other email provider. Google will send verification emails to that address, so make sure you have access to it.

What is two-factor authentication and why does YouTube ask for it?

Two-factor authentication is a security feature that requires you to prove your identity in two ways: something you know (your password) and something you have (your phone). If someone steals your password, they still cannot access your account without the second verification code. You can turn two-factor authentication on or off in your Google account settings.

Can I sign into YouTube with a Facebook account or Apple ID?

No. YouTube only accepts Google accounts for sign-in. If you want to use YouTube, you must create or use an existing Google account. You cannot link a Facebook or Apple account directly to YouTube, though you can use the same email address for multiple accounts if you want.

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

If you remember a phone number or recovery email associated with the account, go to accounts.google.com and click Forgot email? Google will walk you through verifying your identity and finding your account. If you cannot remember any recovery information, you may not be able to recover the account.

Is it safe to stay signed into YouTube on a public computer?

No. On a public computer at a library, school, or internet cafe, always sign out when you are finished. If you stay signed in, the next person who uses that computer can access your account, watch your private videos, and see your personal information. Make sure to click your profile icon and select Sign out before you leave.