- Step 1: get the app
- Step 2: sign in inside the app
- Step 3: link your Google and PlayStation accounts (optional)
- The PlayStation controls
- Searching with your voice
- Using your phone as a remote
- Uploading gameplay clips to YouTube
- Signing out, including remotely
- Quick notes for Xbox and Nintendo Switch
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To watch YouTube on a PlayStation, download the YouTube app from the PlayStation Store, open it and sign in with your Google Account, either by scanning the on-screen QR code with your phone or by typing your details with the controller. Once you're in, you can watch your subscriptions, search, and play videos at up to 4K at 60 frames per second, according to YouTube Help.
The step that confuses most people is account linking. YouTube Help says linking your Google Account to your PlayStation account doesn't sign you in to YouTube. Linking is for broadcasting and sharing gameplay from your console. You still have to sign in inside the YouTube app itself.
Step 1: get the app
The YouTube app is already on most game consoles. If you can't find it, or it's been removed, YouTube Help gives these steps:
- Open the PlayStation Store on your console.
- Search for YouTube.
- From the apps section of the results, select the YouTube option and download it.
Step 2: sign in inside the app
Open the YouTube app and choose one of two sign-in methods:
- With your phone: scan the QR code, or go to yt.be/activate on your phone, tablet or computer and enter the code shown on the screen.
- With the controller: use the on-screen keyboard to type your Google Account details.
If one method doesn't work, YouTube suggests trying the other. When signing in with your phone, check your console and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your phone isn't using mobile data instead. If you're stuck, my fixes for YouTube not working on PS5 cover the common problems.
Signing in gives you access to paid content, subscriptions and your Library. Household members can add their own accounts and switch between them, and guests can use YouTube signed out in guest mode, which won't affect your recommendations.
Step 3: link your Google and PlayStation accounts (optional)
Linking your Google and PlayStation accounts lets you broadcast and share gameplay from the console to YouTube. It's worth doing if you plan to upload clips, but it isn't a sign-in. Keep the two separate in your head and you'll avoid the most common mix-up.
The PlayStation controls
When you pick a video, a player controls bar opens. Here's what YouTube Help says each control does:
| What you want | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Pause or resume | Press X with the video progress bar in focus |
| Fast forward | Press right on the controller with the progress bar selected |
| Rewind | Press left on the controller with the progress bar selected |
| Captions | Select the captions option to turn them on or off and change how they display |
| Report a video | Use Flag in the controls bar |
| Subscribe or report for guideline breaches | Select More Actions while the video plays |
| Voice search shortcut | Press L2 on the Search page |
| Look around a 360 video | Use the left and right joysticks to pan |
360-degree videos work on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and both joysticks pan around the scene.
Searching with your voice
Voice search needs a microphone. YouTube Help's steps:
- Connect a mic to your DualShock controller, or connect a PlayStation Camera with a built-in mic.
- Open the YouTube app and go to the Search page.
- Select the Mic to the left of the on-screen keyboard, or press L2 as a shortcut.
- Say what you're looking for, and your results will appear.
Using your phone as a remote
You can pair your phone, tablet or computer with the YouTube app on your PlayStation and use it as a remote, through the YouTube website or the mobile app. It's handy for typing searches without the on-screen keyboard. If pairing or casting keeps failing, here's what to try when YouTube cast isn't working.
Uploading gameplay clips to YouTube
The Share button can send gameplay straight to YouTube. YouTube Help's steps:
- Press the Share button on your PS4 controller and select Upload Video Clip.
- Pick the clip and choose YouTube.
- Trim the start or end, and add a title, description and tags.
- Confirm the privacy settings and that you're uploading to the right channel.
- Track progress on your PS4 or PS5 Notifications page.
That privacy check matters. If you manage more than one channel, it's easy to send a clip to the wrong one.
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Signing out, including remotely
To sign out on the console, open the YouTube app, select your profile picture to open the accounts page, pick your account and click Sign out. Remove Account takes it off the device entirely.
If you no longer have the console, YouTube Help says you can sign out remotely. Open myaccount.google.com/device-activity on any device and select the console. You can also remove YouTube on TV access from myaccount.google.com/permissions, which signs you out of every device using the YouTube on TV app with that account.
Quick notes for Xbox and Nintendo Switch
Xbox
On Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, select SIGN IN in the app to get an activation code, then enter it at youtube.com/activate on your computer and click Allow Access. To use voice control, say "Xbox Select" and then any word or phrase highlighted on the screen. Xbox One S, Xbox One X and the Series consoles play YouTube in 4K with HDR, while the original Xbox One tops out at 1080p. If the app shows "YouTube isn't available right now," YouTube says a slow connection may be the cause. More in YouTube not working on Xbox.
Nintendo Switch
On the Switch, you sign in with your Google Account and can use any Nintendo account to open the app. If you pick a Brand Account without a YouTube channel, you won't be able to sign in. Press X to search, Y to add a space and B to delete a character. The built-in screen plays up to 720p in handheld mode and 1080p docked. You can watch purchases from the Library tab, but you can't buy content on the device. If Parental Controls are set to Pre-Teen or Child, the YouTube app is locked.
My verdict
YouTube on PlayStation is simple once you separate the two account steps. My advice: sign in inside the YouTube app first, using your phone because it's quicker than the on-screen keyboard, and only link your Google and PlayStation accounts if you want to share clips. Learn the L2 shortcut for voice search, and always double-check the channel before you upload.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get YouTube on PS5?
Open the PlayStation Store, search for YouTube, select it from the apps section of the results and download it. Then open the app and sign in.
Does linking my Google account sign me into YouTube?
No. YouTube Help says linking your Google and PlayStation accounts is for broadcasting and sharing gameplay. You still need to sign in inside the YouTube app.
Can I use my phone as a remote?
Yes. You can pair your phone, tablet or computer with the YouTube app on your PlayStation through the YouTube website or mobile app and use it as a remote.
Can I watch 360 videos on PlayStation?
Yes, on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Use the left and right joysticks to pan around the video.
How do I upload a clip to YouTube?
Press the Share button on your PS4 controller, select Upload Video Clip, choose the clip and YouTube, add a title, description and tags, confirm privacy and channel, then upload.
How do I sign out on a console?
In the YouTube app, select your profile picture, pick your account and click Sign out. If you don't have the console any more, sign out remotely from myaccount.google.com/device-activity.
