To watch YouTube videos, make sure you have the most up-to-date browser, operating system, and a good internet connection:
- Newest version of Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
- Internet connection with 500+ Kbps
Movies and TV shows requirements
Some premium videos on YouTube -- like movies, TV shows, and livestreams -- require a faster connection and greater processing power for optimal streaming speeds. Here's what you'll need:
- Newest version of Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
- Operating system: Windows 7+, Mac OS X 10.7+, or Ubuntu 10+
- Internet connection with 1+ Mbps
It can help to close other tabs, browsers, and programs while streaming your video. It may also help to hardwire your Internet connection, instead of using a wireless network connection.
The table below shows the approximate speeds recommended to play each video format.
Video Resolution |
Recommended sustained speed |
---|---|
4K UHD | 20 Mbps |
HD 1080p | 5 Mbps |
HD 720p | 2.5 Mbps |
SD 480p | 1.1 Mbps |
SD 360p | 0.7 Mbps |
- Playback in HD is unavailable for streaming on a web browser, except for Safari for HD streaming only. You can also stream in HD using one of the supported devices listed here.
- Sometimes, you can buy or rent the HD/UHD version of a video on a device or browser that doesn't support HD/UHD playback. You can still watch the title in lower quality on that device, or watch HD/UHD from a different compatible device.
Supported devices for Primetime Channels (U.S. only)
If you’re in the United States, you can watch YouTube Primetime Channels on the following devices:
- Smart TVs
- Select TVs with Android TV built-in and NVIDIA Shield
- Samsung smart TVs (2016+ models only)
- LG smart TVs (2016+ models only)
- Select Vizio SmartCast models
- Select Hisense Smart TV Models
- Select Sharp Smart TV Models
- Select Sony Smart TV models
- Streaming Media Players
- Chromecast with Google TV
- Roku Players & TVs
- Apple TV (4th generation & 4K)
- Fire TV Sticks (2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, 4K, and Lite), Fire TV Cube, and select Fire TV Edition smart TVs
- Game Consoles
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox One S, & Xbox One X
- PS5, PS4, and PS4 Pro
- Smart Displays
- Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max
- Smartphones & Tablets
- Phones & tablets running Android 5.0 Lollipop and above
- iPhones & iPads running iOS 11 or later
You cannot purchase YouTube Primetime Channels on any of the following devices:
- Apple TV
- DISH
- PlayStation
- Verizon
- XBox
- Panasonic