How to Watch YouTube on TV

YouTube is a great way to enjoy user-uploaded videos on just about any subject. It is not only watched by almost everyone on smartphones, but you have lots of ways to access and watch it on your TV. 

Finding YouTube is easy. It can be found on almost every streaming device available, starting with:

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 via the TV's built-in app selection or store.

If you don't have a smart TV, as long as it has an HDMI input, you can connect other devices to your TV get access to YouTube, including the following:

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 your TV, Google Chromecast, requires you to "cast" YouTube to your TV with the app installed on your smartphone. 

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 via an associated app list or store.

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

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

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, but just like the other options discussed, you can add it via the player's app store.

Although 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/model, here are the type of steps you will encounter if you need to add it:

If you have the YouTube app installed on your smartphone or tablet (you can add it through the iTunes for iOS, or Google Play Store, for Android), you can use Screen Mirroring (Miracast) or Screen Casting to send YouTube wirelessly to a compatible smart TV directly (No physical HDMI or other type of connection required), or through a media streamer (such as Chromecast), Blu-ray Disc player, or game console that supports either of those features via 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:

In addition to the standard free version of YouTube, which contains ads on selected content, you can also opt to take ad advantage of the following variations: 

• YouTube Premium – The Ad-Free Version of YouTube (requires paid subscription).
• YouTube Online Movie Rental Service. Pay-per-view movie viewing via YouTube.
• YouTube for Kids – A variation of YouTube featuring entertainment and educational content targeted for children. The YouTube for Kids app is available on LG, Samsung, Sony, and Android Smart TVs. The app supports both free and premium (Ad-Free) versions. 
• YouTube TV – This service that provides online access to a selection of 40+ broadcast/cable/satellite-like channels that includes a mixture of live and premium channels for a flat monthly fee.