The basic steps to sign in

Go to youtube.com in your web browser. In the top right corner, you will see a Sign in button. Click it. You will be taken to a Google sign-in page — YouTube is owned by Google, so you sign in with a Google account, not a separate YouTube password.

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 set up two-factor authentication on your account, Google will ask you to verify your identity using a code from your phone or an authenticator app before letting you in.

Once you are signed in, your profile picture appears in the top right corner. You can now watch videos, create playlists, subscribe to channels, and upload your own videos if your account is set up for that.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube uses your Google account for sign-in, so you need a Gmail address or a phone number registered with Google.
  • The sign-in button is in the top right corner of youtube.com, and the process takes you through Google's sign-in page.
  • If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app.
  • Once signed in, your profile picture appears in the top right, and you can watch, subscribe, and upload content depending on your account settings.

What to do if you don't have a Google account yet

You cannot sign into YouTube without a Google account. If you do not have one, you will need to create it first. On the Google sign-in page, look for a link that says Create account — it is usually at the bottom of the sign-in box. Click it and follow the steps to set up a new Google account with an email address or phone number.

Google will ask you to choose a password, verify your phone number or email, and provide some basic information like your name and birth date. Once your account is created, you can use those same credentials to sign into YouTube and any other Google service like Gmail or Google Drive.

Recovering a forgotten password

If you cannot remember your password, click Forgot password? on the Google sign-in page. Google will ask you to enter the email address or phone number on your account. You will then be asked to verify your identity — usually by entering a code sent to your email or phone, or by answering security questions you set up when you created the account.

After you verify your identity, Google lets you set a new password. Make sure your new password is something you can remember, or consider using a password manager to store it securely. Once you have set a new password, you can sign back into YouTube.

Signing in on mobile devices

The YouTube app is available on iPhone and Android. Open the app and tap the profile icon in the top right corner (it looks like a circle). Tap Sign in, and you will see the same Google sign-in page as on a computer. Enter your email or phone number and password, complete any two-factor verification if you have it turned on, and you will be signed in.

On mobile, you can also stay signed in across multiple apps. If you are already signed into Gmail or another Google app on your phone, YouTube may recognize you and let you sign in without re-entering your password. This is called single sign-on, and it is a convenience feature built into Google's system.

Staying signed in versus signing out

When you sign in on a computer or phone, YouTube usually keeps you signed in until you manually sign out. This means the next time you visit youtube.com or open the app, you will already be logged in. On shared computers — like a library or school computer — you should always sign out when you are done so the next person cannot access your account.

To sign out, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Sign out. On mobile, tap your profile icon, scroll down, and tap Sign out. If you are on a shared device and want to be extra careful, you can also clear your browser's cookies and cache, which removes stored sign-in information.

Troubleshooting common sign-in problems

If you see an error message saying your password is wrong, make sure you are typing it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters matter. If you have tried several times and keep getting an error, use the Forgot password? link to reset it.

If you see a message saying your account has been locked or suspended, Google is preventing sign-in for security reasons. This usually happens if Google detects unusual activity, like someone trying to break in. Check your email for a message from Google explaining why, and follow the steps in that email to regain access. If you do not see an email, go to myaccount.google.com and look for security alerts.

If you are on a work or school network and cannot sign in, your network administrator may have blocked access to YouTube. This is common in schools and offices. Try signing in on a different network, like your home WiFi or mobile data, to see if the problem is the network or your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate YouTube password?

No. YouTube uses your Google account password. There is no separate YouTube password to create or remember. If you want to change your YouTube password, you change your Google account password instead, and that change applies to all Google services you use.

Can I sign into YouTube without a Google account?

No. You must have a Google account to sign in. However, you can watch YouTube videos without signing in — you just cannot subscribe, create playlists, or upload videos unless you are signed in.

What is two-factor authentication and do I need it?

Two-factor authentication is an extra security step that requires you to verify your identity with a code from your phone or an authenticator app when you sign in. It is not required, but it makes your account much harder to break into. You can turn it on in your Google account settings if you want the extra protection.

Why does YouTube ask me to verify my identity even though I entered the right password?

Google may ask for extra verification if it detects something unusual — like signing in from a new device or location. This is a security feature. You will be asked to enter a code sent to your phone or email, or to answer a security question. Once you verify, you can sign in normally.

Can I be signed into multiple YouTube accounts at once?

Yes. On a computer, click your profile picture and select Add another account, then sign in with a different Google account. You can then switch between accounts by clicking your profile picture and selecting the account you want. On mobile, you can add multiple accounts in the app settings and switch between them the same way.