- Where to sign in, by device
- Signing in on a computer
- Signing in on a phone or tablet
- Signing in on a TV
- The Brand Account error, explained
- How to fix "you can't sign in to YouTube TV with this account"
- Why YouTube TV asks for your location when you sign in
- Signing out, including from devices you've lost
- My advice
- Frequently asked questions
The YouTube TV login page is tv.youtube.com: open it in a browser and sign in with the Google Account linked to your membership. On a phone or tablet you sign in from the YouTube TV app, and on a TV you sign in through the YouTube TV app using your phone or the remote.
Most people searching this just want that address. The bigger problem, and the one YouTube TV Help spends a whole article on as of October 2026, is the Brand Account. If you're signed in to one, you'll see this message:
"Sorry -- you can't sign in to YouTube TV with this account."
Help says Brand Accounts aren't compatible with YouTube TV, so no amount of retyping your password will fix it. You need to switch to a normal Google Account. The full fix is further down.
Where to sign in, by device
| Device | Where you sign in | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Computer | tv.youtube.com in a web browser | The Google Account linked to your membership; the latest Chrome, Firefox or Safari |
| Phone or tablet | The YouTube TV app, then Sign in in the top-right corner | Tap Add account if yours isn't listed |
| Smart TV or game console | The YouTube TV app, then a QR code or tv.youtube.com/start on another device | Or choose Sign in with your remote and use the on-screen keyboard |
| TV via the YouTube app | YouTube TV at the bottom of the left-side menu in the YouTube app | Only works on certain devices for now |
Signing in on a computer
Go to tv.youtube.com and sign in with your Google Account. If you're new, YouTube TV Help's sign-up flow starts here too: you click the button to begin the trial, sign in, confirm your home zip code, pick your plan and add a card. If you haven't started yet, see the YouTube TV free trial first.
YouTube TV Help says it's supported on the latest version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari. If you're on another browser and the page won't play, switch to one of those.
Signing in on a phone or tablet
- Open the YouTube TV app.
- In the top-right corner, tap Sign in.
- Choose your account. If the one you used isn't listed, tap Add account and sign in with a different one.
Make sure you've got the right app. YouTube TV Help says the YouTube TV app is different from the YouTube app, so search for YouTube TV by name in your app store.
Signing in on a TV
On a smart TV or console, you open the YouTube TV app and either scan the QR code or go to tv.youtube.com/start on another device, then enter the code shown on screen. I've covered that code step in detail in how to activate YouTube TV, including what to do when the code expires.
Help also says some devices let you open YouTube TV from inside the YouTube app: open YouTube, scroll to the bottom of the left-side menu, select YouTube TV and sign in the first time. If you meant the regular YouTube app rather than YouTube TV, that's a separate sign-in, covered in how to sign in to YouTube on your TV.
The Brand Account error, explained
A Brand Account, in YouTube TV Help's words, is an account used with Google services to create an online brand presence. You might have one without realising it: Help says that if you have more than one YouTube channel, or you had a legacy account in the past, you could have a Brand Account.
To check, go to Google's Brand Accounts page. Any you own are listed under Your Brand Accounts. If the account you're trying to use for YouTube TV is on that list, that's your problem.
How to fix "you can't sign in to YouTube TV with this account"
YouTube TV Help gives two rounds of fixes. Try the first one, and if it doesn't work, move to the second.
Fix 1: switch account from the error
- Select Switch Account below the error message.
- Enter the Google Account linked to your YouTube TV membership. Help says you may need to re-enter your details even if you're already signed in.
- Carry on signing in, or signing up.
Fix 2: reset your account on youtube.com
- Go to youtube.com.
- In the top right, select your profile picture.
- Select your primary Google Account. If it isn't listed, select More accounts.
- Don't pick any account that appears on the Brand Accounts page.
- Once you've switched, go to YouTube TV in the same browser window.
- Carry on signing in, or signing up.
Help's note on which account to choose is worth repeating: if you've already signed up, pick the account linked to your YouTube TV membership. If you haven't signed up yet, pick the account you want YouTube TV linked to.
Why YouTube TV asks for your location when you sign in
Don't be thrown by a location prompt. YouTube TV Help says it uses your internet connection to find where you are so it can show the right local content, and if it can't, your browser or phone will ask you to allow location access. Select Allow. When you sign up, you're also asked for your home zip code, and if it shows the wrong one you can select I don't live here and enter yours.
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On TVs without built-in GPS, Help says you need to verify your location with a phone before local programs will play. If your area is wrong, here's how to change your location on YouTube TV.
Signing out, including from devices you've lost
YouTube TV Help says you can sign out on any device, even one you can't get to anymore. On a TV, open the YouTube TV app, select your profile photo and remove the account; Help warns this signs out every account on that device. For a device you no longer have, go to myaccount.google.com/permissions on a computer or phone, scroll to YouTube TV and click Remove access.
If you're in a family group and want to change who's watching on a TV, Help says to sign out and sign back in to a different account.
My advice
Bookmark tv.youtube.com and you won't need to search for it again. My advice: if you see "you can't sign in to YouTube TV with this account", don't reset your password. YouTube TV Help ties that message to a Brand Account. Go to youtube.com, switch to your primary Google Account, then reopen YouTube TV in that same window. And if you've got more than one YouTube channel, check the Brand Accounts page before you sign up, so you link YouTube TV to the right account from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I log in to YouTube TV?
Go to tv.youtube.com in a web browser and sign in with the Google Account linked to your membership. On a phone, tablet or TV, sign in from the YouTube TV app.
Why does YouTube TV say I can't sign in with this account?
YouTube TV Help says you're probably signed in to a Brand Account, which isn't compatible with YouTube TV. Select Switch Account below the error and enter the Google Account linked to your membership.
What is a Brand Account?
It's an account used with Google services to create an online brand presence. Help says you could have one if you have more than one YouTube channel or used to have a legacy account.
Is the YouTube TV app the same as the YouTube app?
No. YouTube TV Help says they're different apps, so search for YouTube TV by name in your device's app store. On some devices you can also open YouTube TV from inside the YouTube app.
Do I need a Google Account to use YouTube TV?
Yes. Help's sign-up steps have you sign in with your Google Account, and it has to be a regular Google Account rather than a Brand Account.
Why is YouTube TV asking for my location when I sign in?
YouTube TV uses your location to show the right local networks. If it can't find where you are, your browser or phone asks you to allow location access, and Help says to select Allow.
How do I sign out of YouTube TV on a device I no longer have?
Go to myaccount.google.com/permissions on a computer or phone, scroll to YouTube TV and click Remove access.
