The fastest way to get YouTube on your TV screen

You can watch YouTube on your TV through your TV's built-in YouTube app, a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick, a game console, or by casting from your phone. The method that works for you depends on what hardware you already have. Most modern TVs have YouTube built in — you just need to sign in with your Google account. If your TV is older or doesn't have the app, a streaming device or phone casting takes about five minutes to set up.

The simplest route is usually casting from your phone or tablet, because you probably have one nearby and the setup is instant. The most reliable route is using your TV's native YouTube app or a dedicated streaming device, because you don't need to keep your phone unlocked and pointed at the TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Most TVs made after 2015 have YouTube built in — go to the app menu, select YouTube, and sign in with your Google account.
  • If your TV doesn't have YouTube, a Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Chromecast will add it for under $50.
  • Casting from your phone works instantly on any TV with a compatible device, but requires your phone to stay on and connected.
  • Game consoles like PlayStation and Xbox have YouTube apps and can be used as a second screen for YouTube on your TV.
  • Once you sign in, your watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations sync across all your devices.

Sign in through your TV's built-in YouTube app

If your TV is a Samsung, LG, Sony, or most other major brand made in the last eight years, YouTube is already installed. Look for the app in your TV's home menu or app store. Select YouTube, and you'll see a sign-in screen with a code and a URL.

On your phone or computer, go to youtube.com/activate and enter the code shown on your TV. Sign in with the Google account you use for YouTube. Your TV will automatically sign in within a few seconds. You're done — your subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations are now on your TV.

If you can't find YouTube in your TV's app menu, check your TV's settings or manual to see if it supports YouTube. Some older or budget TVs don't have it built in. If that's the case, move to the streaming device section below.

Cast from your phone or tablet to any TV

Casting sends video from your phone directly to your TV without needing an app on the TV itself. It works on any TV connected to a Chromecast, Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV. Open YouTube on your phone, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with a WiFi symbol), and select your TV from the list.

Your phone will show what's playing on the TV, and you can control playback from your phone's screen. You can lock your phone, switch apps, or even turn the screen off — the video keeps playing on your TV. The cast icon appears in the top right corner of the YouTube app on Android and in the bottom right on iPhone.

Casting works over WiFi, so your phone and TV must be on the same network. If you don't see your TV in the cast list, restart your phone and TV, then try again. If you still don't see it, check that both devices are connected to the same WiFi network.

Add YouTube with a streaming device

If your TV doesn't have YouTube built in, a streaming device plugs into an HDMI port and adds it. The most common options are Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV. All of them have YouTube, and all cost between $30 and $100 depending on the model.

Plug the device into your TV's HDMI port and power it on. Follow the on-screen setup steps to connect to your WiFi. When prompted, sign in with your Google account. YouTube will then appear in your device's app menu. You can use your TV remote or the device's companion app on your phone to navigate.

Roku and Fire Stick are the most affordable options and work with almost any TV. Chromecast is the smallest and best if you already use Google services. Apple TV is the most expensive but integrates tightly with iPhones and iPads. All of them let you cast from your phone as well as use the app directly.

Use a game console to watch YouTube

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X all have YouTube apps. If you already own one of these consoles, you don't need to buy anything else. Go to your console's app store, search for YouTube, and install it.

Sign in with your Google account using your console's controller or phone app. Your watch history and subscriptions will sync. You can use your console's controller to navigate, or download the YouTube app on your phone and use it as a remote.

Game consoles are less convenient than dedicated streaming devices because they're bulkier and use more power. But if you already have one connected to your TV, it's a free way to add YouTube without buying anything new.

Troubleshoot when your TV won't connect

If your TV's YouTube app won't sign in, restart your TV completely — unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Open YouTube again and try signing in. If you still see an error, check that your TV is connected to WiFi and that the connection is stable.

If you're using a streaming device and YouTube won't install, make sure your device has enough storage space. Go to your device's settings, find storage, and delete apps you don't use. Then try installing YouTube again.

If casting from your phone doesn't work, make sure your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network. Restart both devices. If your TV has a Chromecast or Roku built in, casting should work automatically — you don't need to do anything extra. If you're still having trouble, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

What happens after you sign in

Once you're signed in on your TV, YouTube remembers your account. Your subscriptions, watch history, and recommendations appear automatically. If you watch a video on your phone, it shows up in your "Continue Watching" section on your TV, and vice versa.

You can sign out anytime by going to your TV's YouTube settings and selecting "Sign Out." This is useful if you're selling the TV or if someone else is using it. Signing out doesn't delete your YouTube account — it just disconnects it from that TV.

If multiple people use the same TV, most streaming devices and smart TVs let you add multiple Google accounts. Go to your TV's settings, find accounts, and add another user. Each person can then sign in with their own Google account and see their own recommendations and watch history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use YouTube on my TV without a Google account?

No, you need a Google account to sign in. You can create one for free at google.com if you don't have one already. Once you're signed in, you can browse and watch videos without paying anything.

Will my watch history on my phone show up on my TV?

Yes, as long as you sign in with the same Google account on both devices. Your watch history, subscriptions, and recommendations sync automatically across all devices. You can turn off history syncing in YouTube settings if you don't want this.

What if my TV is too old to have YouTube?

Any TV with an HDMI port can use YouTube through a streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick. These devices are inexpensive and work with older TVs. You can also cast from your phone to any TV that has a compatible streaming device connected.

Do I need to pay for YouTube on my TV?

No, YouTube is free on your TV just like it is on your phone. You'll see ads in videos unless you have a YouTube Premium subscription, which costs extra and is optional.

Can I use the same Google account on multiple TVs?

Yes, you can sign in with the same account on as many TVs and devices as you want. Your watch history and subscriptions will sync across all of them. You can sign out from any TV individually without affecting the others.