How to Use YouTube Without a Google Account

You usually need a Google account to log into YouTube. However, if you already have an email account (or prefer not to use a Gmail account), you can create a Google account with a non-Gmail email address. Visit Google's Sign Up Without Gmail page through your web browser and enter your details (this option is unavailable in the mobile app, but you can access it via your phone's browser). Note that you can still search and watch videos, as well as use other features of YouTube, without signing up for an account.

Go to https://accounts.google.com/SignUpWithoutGmail. You will be taken to a page where you can fill in your information to create an account. The email field will not display the usual “@gmail.com” placeholder.

• You can also click the link “I prefer to use my current email address” under the username field on the regular signup page to be redirected to the Sign Up Without Gmail page.

Complete the information on the new account creation page. You need to provide your full name, email address (non-Gmail), password, birth date, and phone number.

• The phone number is used for account security and recovery.

Click on “Next Step”. If the information you entered is valid, the “Privacy & Terms” window will appear.

• You will be notified and unable to proceed if any of the information is invalid.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “I Agree”. The “Agree” button will not appear until you've viewed the full terms. Once clicked, you will be taken to a new page and receive a verification email.

Click on “Verify Now”. This will open a small window with a login section for the email address you used to sign up.

• You can also go directly to your email and click the link in the verification email.

Log in with the registered email address. Enter your email and password, then click “Next”. Your Google account will be verified and ready for use.

Log into your new Google account. Click “Sign in” at the top right and enter your email address/password.

• If you’ve already logged in during verification, you can skip this step.

Explore the features available with your account. With a YouTube account, you can now access features that were previously unavailable. Some actions you can take on YouTube now include:

• Upload videos
• Follow channels
• Comment on videos
• Create custom playlists

Search for and watch videos. If you prefer not to create an account, you can still watch and search for content on YouTube using the search bar and the recommended video list.

• You don’t need a Google account to view/search videos on the mobile app.
• Age verification is based on the birthdate in your Google account, so a Google account is required to view age-restricted content.

Watch live games at https://gaming.youtube.com/. You can use YouTube's gaming service to watch live-streamed games and gaming news.

• A YouTube account is required to chat and follow channels.

Share videos with friends. Click the “Share” button below the “Subscribe” button on the video to open a menu with links to social media and a shortened URL for easy sharing.

• On mobile devices, tap the video while watching to view options and tap the “Share” icon (curved arrow) at the top-right corner to open a sharing menu.
• You can link to a specific point in the video by adding “#t” to the URL with the timestamp. For example: “#t=1m50s” will take you to 1 minute 50 seconds of the video.

Watch videos on TV. You can use the YouTube TV version when connecting your computer via HDMI or a smart TV. If you have a Chromecast, you can cast videos directly from your mobile device by tapping the “Cast” icon (screen with waves) in the top-right corner of the video.