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how to watch youtube on smart tv

You can watch YouTube on a smart TV either by installing the YouTube app directly on the TV or by sending (casting) videos from your phone, tablet, or computer to the TV.

Quick Scoop

  • Use the built‑in YouTube app on your smart TV if it’s available.
  • Or cast from your phone/tablet/computer to the TV over Wi‑Fi.
  • If devices aren’t on the same Wi‑Fi, use a TV code link method.
  • Once set up, you can control playback with your phone or the TV remote.

Method 1: Use the YouTube app on your smart TV

  1. Turn on your TV and connect it to the internet (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet).
  2. Open the apps/store area (Smart Hub, App Store, Google Play on TV, etc.).
  3. Search for “YouTube” and install the official YouTube app if it is not already installed.
  1. Open the YouTube app from your TV’s home screen.
  2. Browse with your TV remote and start playing a video.

If you sign in:

  • Choose Sign in in the YouTube TV app.
  • Either sign in directly with your Google account on the TV or pick Sign in with a web browser , then go to youtube.com/activate on your phone/PC and enter the code shown on the TV.

Method 2: Cast YouTube from your phone or tablet

Casting lets you pick a video on your phone and play it on the TV while using the phone as a remote.

  1. Make sure your phone/tablet and smart TV (or Chromecast/Fire Stick/Roku) are on the same Wi‑Fi network.
  1. Open the YouTube app on your TV (so it’s ready in the background).
  1. On your phone/tablet, open the YouTube app and sign in.
  2. Play or open a video, then tap the Cast icon in the player.
  1. Choose your TV or streaming device from the list and wait a moment; the video will start on the TV.

You can then:

  • Use your phone to pause, skip, change volume, or queue other videos.
  • In some setups, use voice in the YouTube app while casting to control playback.

Method 3: Connect using a TV code (if not on same Wi‑Fi)

If your phone and TV are on different networks or you can’t find the TV when casting, link them with a TV code.

On the TV:

  1. Open the YouTube app on your smart TV.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select Link with TV code ; a blue numeric TV code will appear.

On your phone/tablet:

  1. Open the YouTube app.
  2. Tap the Cast icon.
  3. Choose Link with TV code.
  4. Enter the blue numeric code shown on the TV and tap LINK.

After that, selecting a video on your phone and casting will send it to that TV even if it’s not on the same Wi‑Fi, as long as YouTube supports that link mode on your devices.

Method 4: Cast from a computer (Chrome browser)

  1. Connect your computer and smart TV/Chromecast to the same Wi‑Fi network.
  1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
  2. Go to youtube.com and start a video.
  3. Click the Chrome menu (⋮) and select Cast , or click the Cast icon in the video if available.
  4. Choose your TV or Chromecast device; the video will play on your TV.

Extra tips and common issues

  • If you can’t find the YouTube app:
    • Check your TV’s app store or “Streaming Channels” area (for example, on Roku‑style TVs).
  • If YouTube is not working:
    • Restart the TV, check your Wi‑Fi, and update the YouTube app and TV software.
  • Cost:
    • The standard YouTube app is free to download and use; YouTube Premium is optional.

Simple HTML table (if you need it for a page)

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Method</th>
      <th>What you do</th>
      <th>When to use</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>TV YouTube app</td>
      <td>Install/open YouTube directly on the TV and use the remote.</td>
      <td>Best if your smart TV is modern and has an app store.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Cast from phone/tablet</td>
      <td>Use the YouTube app on your phone and tap Cast.</td>
      <td>Great for quick control and typing/searching on your phone.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>TV code linking</td>
      <td>Show a TV code in the TV YouTube app and enter it on your phone.</td>
      <td>When devices are on separate networks or cast doesn’t find the TV.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Cast from computer</td>
      <td>Use Chrome’s Cast feature on youtube.com.</td>
      <td>If you prefer browsing YouTube on a laptop/desktop.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Meta description suggestion:
Learn how to watch YouTube on a smart TV using the built‑in app, casting from your phone or computer, or linking with a TV code, plus quick tips if YouTube is not working. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.