You open YouTube TV, choose an account, and the sign-in screen still does not land where it should. The fix depends on whether you are on the website, a phone, a TV app, or the wrong Google Account. Use the current sign-in path below, then move to the account and device fixes only if the main login flow fails.
1. Start on the YouTube TV website
On a computer or mobile browser, YouTube TV signs you in through Google Accounts. Use the Google Account tied to the YouTube TV membership.
- 1.Go to tv.youtube.com/welcome or tv.youtube.com.
- 2.Select Sign in.
- 3.Enter your Google Account email address or phone number, then select Next.
- 4.Enter your password, then select Next.
- 5.Complete any Google verification prompt shown on the screen.
- 6.Use the Google Account associated with your YouTube TV membership.
If your account uses passkeys, follow the passkey prompt on the Google sign-in screen and unlock the device with fingerprint, face scan, screen lock, PIN, or pattern.
2. Open the mobile app on Android iPhone or iPad
The mobile app uses the same membership Google Account, but Android and iOS finish the flow slightly differently.
- 1.Open the YouTube TV app.
- 2.Tap Sign in in the top-right corner.
- 3.On iPhone or iPad, tap Continue.
- 4.Select the Google Account associated with your YouTube TV Base Plan.
- 5.If the correct account is missing, tap Add account.
- 6.On Android, tap I agree to finish signing in.
YouTube TV works on most Android L phones and tablets and above. The current App Store listing requires iOS 16.0 or later for iPhone and iPadOS 16.0 or later for iPad.
3. Activate the TV app with your phone
Smart TVs, streaming devices, and consoles usually sign in with a QR code or activation code. This is the cleanest TV path because your Google Account details stay on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- 1.Open the YouTube TV app on your smart TV, streaming device, or game console.
- 2.Scan the QR code shown on the TV, or go to tv.youtube.com/start on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- 3.Enter the activation code shown on your TV.
- 4.Tap Continue.
- 5.Select the Google Account associated with your YouTube TV Base Plan.
- 6.Select Allow.
If your TV app offers it, you can choose Sign in with your remote and enter your Google Account information with the on-screen keyboard.
4. Install the YouTube TV app first
If you cannot find the login screen, install or reopen the right app for your device.
On Chromecast with Google TV, go to Apps, search for YouTube TV, install it, and open it. YouTube TV is preinstalled on Chromecast with Google TV unless it was removed.
On Android TV, open Google Play Store, search for YouTube TV, download it, and open it. TVs running a mobile version of Android may not be supported.
On Apple TV, open App Store from the Home screen, search for YouTube TV, download it, and open it. The App Store listing requires tvOS 13.0 or later.
On Roku, select Streaming Channels, choose Search channels, search for YouTube TV, and download it. Newer Roku home screens route through Store or Search instead. On Fire TV, search for YouTube TV, download the app, and open it.
On PlayStation, open PlayStation Store, search for YouTube TV, select the app listing, then choose Download or Install. On Xbox, open the Xbox app store, download YouTube TV, and launch the app.
5. Switch from the wrong Google Account
YouTube TV does not support Brand Accounts. If you see a message saying you cannot sign in to YouTube TV with this account, select Switch Account, then enter the Google Account tied to your YouTube TV membership.
You can also switch accounts from YouTube first. Go to youtube.com, select your profile picture, choose your primary Google Account, then return to YouTube TV in the same browser window and continue signing in. Do not choose a Brand Account from the Brand Accounts page.
6. Clear a TV signed in to another account
- To sign out on the TV app, open YouTube TV, select your profile photo, choose Sign Out, then repeat the current TV sign-in flow.
- To remove one account from the TV app, open YouTube TV, select your profile photo, choose Switch account, then select Remove under the account you want to remove.
- To remove access from a device you no longer have, go to myaccount.google.com/permissions, scroll to YouTube TV, click Remove access, then sign in again.
When the app keeps failing after the account is corrected, uninstall and reinstall YouTube TV. On PlayStation, open TV & Video, highlight YouTube TV, press the Option button, select Delete, choose OK, reinstall the app, and sign in again.
7. Cast YouTube TV after signing in
Casting is a sign-in workaround only after YouTube TV already works on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- 1.Connect your mobile device or computer and your streaming device to the same Wi-Fi network.
- 2.Open YouTube TV on the device where you are signed in.
- 3.Tap Cast or AirPlay in the top right.
- 4.Select your TV or streaming device.
- 5.Control YouTube TV from the phone, tablet, or computer you used to cast.
On certain TV devices, you can also open the regular YouTube app, move down the left navigation, select YouTube TV, and sign in the first time it opens.
8. Use the right family or work account
Family members sign in with their own invited Google Account, not the family manager's password.
- 1.Family manager: sign in to YouTube TV.
- 2.Select your profile picture.
- 3.Open Purchases and memberships.
- 4.Select your membership.
- 5.Next to Family sharing settings, select Edit.
- 6.Choose Invite a new member.
- 7.Enter the family member's email address or phone number.
- 8.Select Send.
- 9.Family member: accept the email invitation, then sign in to YouTube TV with that invited Google Account.
Work and school Google Workspace accounts can be blocked by organization settings for YouTube. Use a personal Google Account for consumer YouTube TV access, or have the domain administrator allow YouTube service access for that Workspace account.
9. Skip old activation and iPhone purchase advice
For YouTube TV on a TV, use the QR code or tv.youtube.com/start. Older instructions that point YouTube TV users to tv.youtube.com/activate, youtube.com/activate, or yt.be/activate are not the current YouTube TV Help path.
On iPhone and iPad, sign in and watch in the YouTube TV app. Current Google Help says sign-up is no longer supported inside the YouTube TV app on iPhone or iPad, so membership purchase belongs outside that in-app iOS flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I log in to YouTube TV with a passkey?
Yes. If your Google Account has a passkey set up and the sign-in screen offers it, use the prompt and unlock your device with fingerprint, face scan, screen lock, PIN, or pattern.
Why does YouTube TV say I cannot sign in with this account?
That message appears when a Brand Account is selected. Choose Switch Account and sign in with the Google Account connected to the YouTube TV membership.
Can I activate YouTube TV on a TV with a code?
Yes. Open the YouTube TV app on the TV, use the QR code or tv.youtube.com/start, enter the TV code, tap Continue, select the Base Plan account, and choose Allow.
Can I buy YouTube TV inside the iPhone or iPad app?
No. Current Google Help says sign-up is no longer supported inside the YouTube TV app on iPhone or iPad, though signing in and watching are supported.
