Sign in to the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console

Sign in to the YouTube app to use features like watching paid content, subscribing to channels, and viewing your Library.

Once you’re signed in, you can find your way around the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console. You can also connect your device to your smart TV and use your phone or tablet as a remote.

Note:

• Learn how to sign out or remove an account from the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console.
• If you're a YouTube TV member looking to watch YouTube TV on your television, check out the YouTube TV Help Center for more info.

How to Sign In to YouTube on Your TV

Sign in

Note: Before getting started, download the YouTube app, if it isn’t already on your device.

1. Open the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console.
2. Choose one of the following options:
   • Sign in with your phone: Scan the QR code, or go to yt.be/activate on your phone, tablet, or computer, then enter the code on the screen.
   • Sign in with your remote: Use your remote and the on-screen keyboard to enter your Google Account information.

If one of these options isn’t working for you, try the other one. For example, if signing in with your phone doesn’t work, try signing in with your remote.

Use different accounts on your Smart TV or game console

In the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console, you can sign in to different accounts and easily switch between them. Members of your household can add their own accounts, and guests can use YouTube signed out (guest mode). Guest mode lets others use YouTube on your TV or game console while signed out. Any actions taken while signed out in guest mode won't affect your account’s recommendations.

Note: If you select your kid’s profile, or a YouTube Kids guest profile, you’ll go to YouTube Kids. Learn more about this experience.

Add another Google Account on your smart TV or game console

To add another account in the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console:

1. Open the YouTube app on your TV or game console.
2. If the app opens asking you “Who’s Watching?” select the relevant option:
   1. Guest: Lets you use YouTube signed out.
   2. YouTube Kids: Lets your child use YouTube Kids while signed out. This option will only appear if you’ve set up a YouTube Kids guest profile.
   3. Add account: Lets you sign in to your account.
   4. Add YouTube Kids profile: Lets you sign in to a YouTube Kids profile.
3. If the app opens signed in to an account:
   1. Go to the left-hand navigation.
   2. At the top, select your profile picture.
   3. In the Accounts tab, select the relevant option:
      1. Guest: Lets you use YouTube signed out.
      2. Add account: Lets other members of your household add their account. You can sign in to YouTube using your TV or personal device.
      3. Set up YouTube Kids: Lets you set up a YouTube Kids guest profile your kid can use while signed out.

Switch between signed in Google Accounts on your smart TV or game console

You can easily switch between signed in accounts on your smart TV or game console.

Note: You can only switch between accounts after you’ve added the account on your smart TV or game console. If you need to add an account, use the instructions above and then use the instructions here to switch between accounts.

To switch between signed in accounts in the YouTube app on your smart TV or game console:

1. Open the YouTube app on your TV or game console.
2. If the app opens:
   1. Asking you “Who’s Watching?”:
      1. Select the account you’d like to use for YouTube.
   2. Already signed in to an account:
      1. Go to the left-hand navigation.
      2. At the top, select the profile picture.
      3. In the Accounts tab, select the account you’d like to use for YouTube 

Troubleshoot sign in issues

If you’re having trouble signing in to YouTube with your Google Account, you can get help signing in.

If you’re using your phone to sign in:

1. Verify that your smart TV is on the same WiFi network as your phone.
   • You can check which network you’re on in the “Settings” section on your smart TV.
2. Make sure that your phone is not connected to mobile data instead of WiFi.
   • If it is, temporarily turn off mobile data to ensure your WiFi connection is being used.
3. If you’re using an activation code, make sure you typed in the correct code at yt.be/activate.

If you’re still having trouble signing in:

• Power cycle your device by unplugging it, leaving it unplugged for 30 seconds, then plugging it in again.
• Reboot your router.
• Reboot your mobile device.

Note: Signing in directly to YouTube on older Chromecast devices is not supported. You can control your cast session from your phone with the account signed in on your phone. Using a remote control, you can use the YouTube app signed out.