Where You Can Find YouTube

YouTube can be found on almost every streaming device, so however you stream, you can watch YouTube on your TV.

Smart TVs

If you have a smart TV, with very few exceptions, the YouTube App is either pre-installed or available to add to your viewing list using the TV’s built-in app selection or store. If you don’t have a smart TV, but your TV has an HDMI input, you can connect other devices to your TV to get access to YouTube. These other devices include media streamers, game consoles, DVRs, Blu-ray players, and computers.

Media Streamers

Plug-in media streaming devices, such as Apple TV, Nvidia Shield, and Roku, have the YouTube app pre-installed. If it isn’t pre-installed, you can download and install it using the device’s app store. Another type of media streamer that plugs into a TV, Google Chromecast, requires you to cast YouTube to your TV with the app installed on your smartphone.

Game Consoles

You can watch YouTube on your TV from a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3/4, or Xbox game console. The YouTube app may be pre-installed or accessible using an associated app list or store.

Connect Your Laptop or PC to Your TV

YouTube is accessible on every computer that is connected to the internet. However, with an HDMI cable, you can connect your PC or laptop to your TV and watch YouTube on a bigger screen.

Select DVRs

Although their primary emphasis is the reception and recording of TV programs, some DVRs, such as the TiVo Edge and Channel Master Stream+, include built-in access to select streaming apps, such as YouTube.

Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray Players

Almost all Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray players include access to a host of streaming apps, which, in most cases, includes YouTube. This is a great option if you don’t have a smart TV or an add-on media streaming box or stick. The app is usually pre-installed, and, similar to the other options discussed, you can add it from the player’s app store.

How to Get YouTube if It Isn’t Pre-Installed

There are variations in the appearance of app selection menus on smart TVs, media streamers, select DVRs, Blu-ray Disc players, and game consoles. Depending on the brand and model, here are the type of steps you will encounter if you need to add it:

Get YouTube on Your TV From a Smartphone

There are two ways to use your smartphone to add YouTube to your TV.

Screen Mirroring and Casting

If the YouTube app is installed on your smartphone or tablet (you can add it through iTunes for iOS, or the Google Play Store, for Android), use screen mirroring (Miracast) or screencasting to send YouTube wirelessly to a compatible smart TV directly (a physical HDMI or another type of connection isn’t required), or through a media streamer (such as Chromecast), Blu-ray Disc player, or game console that supports either of those features using an HDMI connection.

In addition to the screen mirroring and screencasting methods, you can pair a smartphone with your smart TV or compatible device connected to your TV using the YouTube Link with TV Code feature. This provides an alternate way of sharing the YouTube video from your smartphone with the YouTube app on your TV or device. Here’s how: Access to playback for the following video resolutions depends on which one was used by the content producer and your internet streaming speed. YouTube defaults to the closest resolution the TV or the device connected to it is compatible with in relation to the internet speed.

YouTube Premium: The ad-free version of YouTube (requires a paid subscription). YouTube Online Movie Rental Service: Pay-per-view movie viewing from YouTube. YouTube for Kids: A variation of YouTube featuring entertainment and educational content for children. The YouTube for Kids app is available on LG, Samsung, Sony, and Android smart TVs. The app supports the free and premium (ad-free) versions. YouTube TV: This service provides online access to more than 40 broadcast, cable, and satellite channels that include a mixture of live and premium channels for a flat monthly fee.