The Tool Desk
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To sign in to YouTube TV on a TV, open the YouTube TV app, scan its QR code or visit tv.youtube.com/start on another device, enter the code shown on your TV, choose the Google Account linked to your YouTube TV Base Plan, and approve the connection. On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube TV app, tap Sign in, and select that same account.
Before you sign in
- Open the YouTube TV app, not just YouTube. They are separate apps. On some devices, YouTube TV can be opened from within YouTube, but the usual route is to install or open the YouTube TV app. YouTube TV Help explains how to install the app.
- Use the Google Account linked to the YouTube TV Base Plan. Having a different Google Account signed in on the TV or phone does not automatically give that account access to the membership.
- Check that your device is supported. YouTube TV works on supported computers, smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile devices; compatibility depends on the model. See YouTube TV’s supported-device information for current details. For desktop viewing, the listed browsers include current Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
How to sign in on a TV
- Open the YouTube TV app on your smart TV, streaming device, or game console. If it is not installed, look for it in that device’s app store if your model is supported.
- Choose the sign-in option. For the QR-code route, scan the code shown on the TV with a phone or another device. Alternatively, open tv.youtube.com/start in a browser. If you do not want to use another device, select the remote sign-in option and enter your account details with the TV’s on-screen keyboard.
- When prompted, enter the activation code displayed on the TV and continue.
- Select the Google Account associated with your YouTube TV Base Plan.
- Select Allow to connect the TV and start using YouTube TV.
Choose the route that suits you
- QR code or activation code: Usually more convenient if you have a phone, tablet, or computer nearby; you enter the code away from the TV’s remote keyboard.
- TV remote: Lets you complete sign-in on the TV, but requires entering account details with the on-screen keyboard.
If the TV activation code does not work
The code may have expired. Return to the YouTube TV app on the TV and reload or refresh the activation screen to display a current code. Then enter that new code at tv.youtube.com/start rather than trying the old one again. YouTube TV Help specifically advises refreshing the code if you get stuck at this step. See the official sign-in instructions.
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How to sign in on a phone or tablet
- Open the YouTube TV app.
- Tap Sign in, shown in the top-right corner.
- Choose the Google Account linked to your YouTube TV Base Plan. If it is not listed, tap Add account and sign in with that Google Account.
What to check if sign-in or access fails
Work through these checks in order. A failed sign-in and a successful sign-in followed by unavailable membership access may have different causes.
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Quick Recap
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- Verify the Google Account. Confirm that the selected account is the one associated with the YouTube TV Base Plan. If it is not listed on a phone or tablet, use Add account.
- Refresh the TV code. If the activation flow is stuck or rejects the code, reload the activation screen on the TV and enter the newly displayed code.
- Restart the device. YouTube’s general sign-in troubleshooting guidance recommends restarting as an initial step. See YouTube’s sign-in troubleshooting guidance.
- Update the app and check device support. Make sure the app is up to date and confirm that your TV, streaming device, or console is supported using the current supported-device guidance. YouTube’s general troubleshooting steps also suggest resetting the app when appropriate; a reset may sign you out, so be ready to sign in again.
- If Google sign-in fails on every device, recover the account. Use the account-recovery steps linked from YouTube’s sign-in troubleshooting page.
- If you are signed in but membership access is unavailable, check billing notices. Review the payment method and any alerts in Google Payments if a payment or account-access message appears. YouTube TV Help covers payment-related access issues.
- Contact YouTube TV support if the issue persists. From the signed-in account, open Help and choose Contact us, then follow the prompts to see the available support options for your issue. Open YouTube TV Help.
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