To use YouTube on an Android phone or tablet, install the official app from Google Play, then browse Home or search for videos. Signing in with a Google Account adds subscriptions, playlists and viewing history; casting and offline downloads are optional features with separate availability requirements.
Install YouTube and choose whether to sign in
- Open Google Play Store on your Android device, search for YouTube, select the official YouTube app and tap Install. YouTube Help lists Android 9.0 or later as the app requirement: YouTube app requirements.
- Open YouTube after installation. To sign in, tap the profile or account area and choose the sign-in option, then select or add a Google Account.
You can browse without signing in, but a Google Account enables account-based features such as subscriptions, playlists, purchases and watch history. On Android, signing out through YouTube also signs the account out of other Google apps on that device, including Gmail and Maps. If you only want to browse without using your account activity, YouTube Help points to Incognito mode as an alternative: Sign in and out of YouTube.
Find a documentary or other video
Browse recommendations
Tap Home to see recommended videos. Recommendations can reflect your preferences and activity, so the selection may differ between signed-in viewers.
Search and narrow the results
- Tap the Search icon, enter a title, topic, person or channel name, and submit the search.
- Use the available filters to narrow results to Videos, Channels or Playlists.
- Tap a result to begin playback. Tap the channel name or icon on a video page to open that channel.
Subscriptions and Library (shown as You in some versions) are other main navigation destinations. YouTube updates its app, so button names and placement may vary by version. Its help page outlines navigation and search: Navigate YouTube.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Subscribe to a channel and manage alerts
- Open a video from the channel you want to follow.
- Tap the channel name or icon, then tap Subscribe.
- Find new uploads in Subscriptions. To change alerts for a channel, use the notification control beside its subscription and choose an available setting.
YouTube’s default channel notification setting is highlights rather than an alert for every upload. Channels marked as made for kids do not offer the usual notification controls. YouTube Help currently lists a limit of 75 new channel subscriptions per day; the page also says overall limits can vary by channel or account, and these operational rules can change: Subscribe to YouTube channels.
Use playback, captions and accessibility features
While a video plays, use the player controls to pause, seek or adjust playback options. Where available, turn on captions from the player’s captions control. YouTube for Android also supports Android accessibility features, including TalkBack and Explore by Touch. Official guidance covers navigating the app, playback, minimizing the player, captions, playlists and other controls: Use the YouTube app with accessibility features.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Cast YouTube from Android to a TV
Casting is optional: it sends playback to a compatible TV, Chromecast or supported streaming device, while your phone or tablet serves as the controller. Connect the Android device and receiving device to the same Wi-Fi network, open a video and tap the Cast button, then select the TV or device. The Cast button appears when YouTube detects a supported receiver. Exact setup can differ by TV or streaming device. You do not need casting hardware to watch YouTube on your Android screen. See Watch YouTube on your TV.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Download videos for offline viewing
Offline downloads are not the same as saving a regular video file. Availability depends on your location, the specific video and, in many cases, YouTube Premium. In select locations, some videos can be downloaded without Premium, but other videos may still require it.
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Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Download and find a video
- Sign in to the account eligible for the download. For Premium downloads, open an eligible video in the YouTube app and tap Download.
- Choose a download quality if prompted. Higher quality uses more storage and may take longer.
- Open the profile or Library/You area and go to Downloads to watch saved videos without an internet connection.
In many cases, downloaded videos can be watched offline for up to 29 days before the app needs to reconnect; some countries or regions use a 48-hour period. Downloads are tied to the signed-in account and may disappear if the video becomes unavailable. Location and video eligibility affect whether downloads are offered: Download videos to watch offline with YouTube Premium and Watch videos offline in select countries.
YouTube does not provide audio or MP3 downloads through the app. Downloaded videos are encrypted and playable only in YouTube, rather than appearing as ordinary video files that you can move to another player: More about downloading videos.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
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