How do I watch YouTube on my Google Home?

With YouTube included on your Google Nest display, you can watch YouTube Originals, how-to videos and much more, seamlessly on your screen. To control YouTube, you can use voice commands like ‘Play [name of video]’ or ‘Pause’, or use the touchscreen display to do the same.

YouTube content settings

The Google Home app allows you to block certain content that people in your household can watch or listen to on your Nest display. Children under 13 (or the applicable age in your country) whose accounts are managed with Family Link and that have Voice Match set up are unable to play YouTube videos or YouTube Music, but they can access YouTube Kids. Digital Wellbeing controls help you set the content that can be shown on your display. Learn more about using Filters, YouTube settings and YouTube Kids on your Nest display.

YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is a paid membership to help you elevate your experience on YouTube and other YouTube apps. It's currently available in multiple countries.

YouTube Premium benefits

With YouTube Premium, you can:

  • Watch millions of videos on YouTube without ads.
  • Download videos and playlists on your mobile device to watch offline.
  • Continue to play videos on your mobile device while you use other apps or when your screen is off.
  • Access YouTube Originals shows and films.
  • Access YouTube Music Premium.
  • Enjoy music on your Google Nest or Home speaker or display, or Chromecast Audio.

Your YouTube Premium benefits will apply across YouTube, YouTube Gaming, YouTube Kids and YouTube Music, if they're available in your location.

Learn more about benefits of YouTube Premium paid membership.

Note: YouTube TV is only available in the US and not included as part of YouTube Premium benefits.

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  • You can play YouTube videos on a Google Home in a few different ways. 
  • If you have a smart TV or compatible device connected to your Google Home, you can simply ask the Google Assistant to play a YouTube video on the device. 
  • You can also play YouTube videos on Google Home through a connected speaker — just to listen to the audio — with a simple trick. 
  • Initially, your Google Home will indicate that it can only play YouTube videos on video devices. But you can use the Google Home app to pair your speaker with your phone, and play YouTube videos through the Bluetooth connection. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A Google Home connects all of the other smart devices in your home, so you can use the Google Assistant to play music, control your smart lights, answer questions, and more.

If you have a smart TV or a smart TV plug-in device — like Chromecast or Roku — you can also use your Google Home to control your TV and play YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming services. 

To play a YouTube video on your smart TV through Google Home, simply ask the Google Assistant to play the video on the device, and it should work, as long as you've set it up properly. 

However, even if you don't have a smart TV or compatible device, you can still play YouTube videos through your Google Home. You won't be able to watch the video, but it's quite useful for playing music, or listening to audio like podcasts. 

If you ask your Google Home to play YouTube on a speaker, though, it will inform you that you can only play videos on video devices. Don't worry — there is a way around this.

Here's how to do it. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Google Home (From $49.99 at Best Buy)

Google Chromecast (From $35 at Best Buy)

Roku Ultra (From $99.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

How to play YouTube videos on a Google Home through a speaker

1. Open the Google Home app on your iPhone or Android phone.

2. Tap on the speaker in the home screen.

Select your speaker. Melanie Weir/Business Insider

3. Tap the Settings button in the upper right corner. 

Tap Settings. Melanie Weir/Business Insider

4. Scroll down to "Device Settings" and tap "Paired Bluetooth devices," the seventh item on the list.

Tap "Paired Bluetooth devices." Melanie Weir/Business Insider

5. In the bottom right corner of the screen, tap "Enable Pairing Mode."

Tap "Enable Pairing Mode." Melanie Weir/Business Insider

6. Exit the Google Home app and open the Settings app on your iPhone or Android phone. Go to the Bluetooth pairing section.

7. Under "Other devices," select the name of your speaker. 

Select your device on your phone's bluetooth pairing menu. Melanie Weir/Business Insider

8. Play your YouTube video. Since your phone is now paired to the speaker, the audio will play through the speaker instead.

How do I watch YouTube on my Google Home?

  • How to set up any Google Home, Google's versatile smart speaker, in just a few minutes

  • How to use and customize Google Assistant on your phone or Google Home

  • How to reset any Google Home device to its factory settings, if it's malfunctioning or you're planning to sell it

  • How to setup and use Google Home with your iPhone or Android device

  • 'What is a Google Home Hub?': Everything you need to know about the Google smart device that can help you navigate daily life

Melanie Weir

Freelance author

Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well. She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached at , or through LinkedIn.

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Can you watch YouTube on Google Home Hub?

With YouTube included on your Google Nest display, you can watch YouTube Originals, how-to videos, and much more, seamlessly on your screen. To control YouTube, you can use voice commands like "Play [name of video]" or "Pause," or use the touchscreen display to do the same.

How do I listen to YouTube on my Google Home for free?

If you already have a Google Home, navigate to Account Settings in your Google Home app, tap Services and select Music. Then, select YouTube Music as the default music service. If you are setting up a new Google Home speaker, choose YouTube Music as the default music service during the setup process.

How do I use YouTube on Google?

To sign in to YouTube, enter your Google Account email and password. After signing up for YouTube, signing in to your Google account on another Google service will automatically sign you in to YouTube. Deleting your Google Account will delete your YouTube data, including all videos, comments, and subscriptions.