YouTube account: signing in, your own channel and Premium subscriptions
YouTube is Google's video-sharing service. Watching works without an account, but subscribing, commenting, keeping your own playlists, running a channel and paying for a subscription all require a Google Account. There is no separate YouTube password: signing in always happens with the Google Account.
In this article
Without an account and with one
- Without an account: public videos and Shorts can be watched, and search works. Age-restricted videos, however, require signing in, and the home page recommendations are sparse when watch history is turned off.
- With an account: subscribing to channels, liking, commenting, playlists, the “Watch later” list, watch history synced across phone, computer and TV, and uploading videos.
- With a subscription: ad-free viewing, background play and downloads (see below).
Google Account, channel, Brand Account
The Google Account is the sign-in identity (email address or phone number plus password, or a passkey), while the channel is the public face someone shows on YouTube: name, profile picture, videos and comments. YouTube identifies each channel by a unique handle starting with @, for example @examplechannel. One Google Account can have a personal channel and several Brand Account channels; a Brand Account can be managed by several people, which makes it suitable for companies, associations and joint projects. Details: Creating your own YouTube channel and a Brand Account. About the account in general: Google Account: sign-in, security and recovery in one place.
Signing in
In a browser, the “Sign in” button in the top right leads to Google's sign-in page; in the app, signing in and switching accounts happen on the “You” tab: Signing in to YouTube on a phone and a computer. On a TV or console, the easiest way is pairing with a code or with a phone: Signing in to YouTube on a smart TV and a console. If signing in fails or the wrong channel shows up: Can't sign in to YouTube.
Subscriptions
- YouTube Premium: ad-free videos, background play, downloads for offline viewing, and YouTube Music Premium included. Available as individual, family and student plans.
- YouTube Music Premium: covers music only, in the YouTube Music app.
- Premium Lite: a cheaper plan that removes ads from most non-music videos; not available in every country.
- Prices and trial periods vary by country and can be checked at youtube.com/premium. Plan comparison: YouTube Premium plans; cancelling: Cancelling or pausing YouTube Premium.
Where is it available?
In a browser at youtube.com, on phones and tablets with the app for iPhone and Android, and also on smart TVs, streaming devices and game consoles. Channels are managed in YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com and a separate app), and children have YouTube Kids: YouTube for kids.
Security
- A YouTube account is only as secure as the Google Account behind it: turning on 2-Step Verification or a passkey is a good idea.
- Creators are often targeted with malware-laden “sponsorship” offers, and viewers with comments promising prizes: YouTube scams.
- If a channel has been renamed or an unknown live stream appears: Hacked YouTube channel: first steps.
Getting started
- Signing in to YouTube on a phone and a computerSigning in to YouTube with a Google Account in a browser and the app, switching between accounts and channels, and what choosing a Brand…
- Creating your own YouTube channel and a Brand AccountPersonal channel or Brand Account? Creating a YouTube channel, setting the channel name and @handle, and giving others access without a…
- YouTube Premium plans: individual, family, student and Premium LiteWhat YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium include, the conditions of the family and student plans, and what Premium Lite offers where…
- Signing in to YouTube on a smart TV and a consoleSigning in to YouTube on a TV or console with a code (youtube.com/activate) or a phone, several accounts on one TV, and signing out…
Using and settings
- YouTube for kids: YouTube Kids, supervised accounts and teen accountsYouTube Kids, the supervised experience and teen supervision compared, setup with Family Link, age-restricted content and Restricted Mode.
- YouTube Premium family plan: inviting members and the rulesYouTube Premium family plan: creating a family group, inviting and removing members, the same-household rule, and if a member already pays.
- Cancelling or pausing YouTube PremiumCancelling and pausing YouTube Premium at youtube.com/paid_memberships, App Store subscriptions, and how long Premium lasts after…
Troubleshooting
- Restricted Mode and blocked YouTube on a work or school accountRestricted Mode won't turn off, or YouTube is unavailable on a school or work account or network? Who sets it, and when to contact the…
- Can't sign in to YouTube, or the wrong account appearsYouTube keeps signing you out, shows the wrong channel, or says the account is disabled? Common sign-in problems, their causes and fixes…
Security
Tips and tricks
- YouTube scams: fake sponsorships, comment giveaways and crypto livestreamsFake sponsorship offers, comments promising a prize, crypto livestreams, fake YouTube emails: the signs of common YouTube scams and what…
- YouTube Premium abroad and when moving countriesDoes YouTube Premium work on vacation? How long can it be used abroad, what to do when moving, and what happens to the family plan?…
- Common myths about YouTube accounts and PremiumDoes deleting a channel delete the Google Account? Is Premium part of Google One? Can a family plan be shared with anyone? YouTube myths…
If it doesn't work
Is a separate sign-up needed for YouTube?
No. Any Google Account works, including one created without a Gmail address. On the first upload or comment, YouTube offers to create a channel.
If I delete my channel, is my Google Account deleted too?
No. Deleting the channel removes its videos, comments and playlists; the Google Account and the other Google services remain.
Is YouTube free?
Yes, with ads. Payment is only needed for Premium plans, channel memberships, movie rentals and similar purchases.