UK TV boxes and YouTube
| Box or service | YouTube app | How to sign in |
|---|---|---|
| BT TV | On TV Box Pro and TV Box Edge (not older boxes) | Open YouTube, choose Sign in, enter the code at yt.be/activate. Signing in is optional. |
| EE TV | EE TV customers are moving to BT TV. Check your box's app list. | Same Google sign-in. |
| Virgin Media Stream | Listed among Virgin Media's Stream apps | Open YouTube from Apps and use the TV code at yt.be/activate. |
| Sky Glass, Sky Stream, Sky Q | In Apps on current Sky boxes (check yours) | Signs in with a Google account, not your Sky login. |
| Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Hisense, TCL smart TVs | Built in or in the TV's app store | See the guide for your brand. |
| Fire TV Stick, Roku, Chromecast | Yes | Fire TV · Roku · Google TV |
Box and app lists change. If YouTube is missing, check your provider's own app list and update the box software.
Sign in on any UK box
- Open YouTube from your box's Apps section and choose Sign in.
- Go to yt.be/activate on your phone or computer, or scan the QR code on the TV.
- Enter the code, pick your Google account and choose Allow.
Ready? Open the official page.
Open yt.be/activate Your TV code goes on Google's page only.
Common UK snags
- Parental PIN prompt on BT boxes: that is your BT TV PIN, not part of the Google sign-in.
- Older Sky or BT boxes may not have the YouTube app at all. A Fire TV Stick, Roku or Chromecast is the cheapest way to add it.
- Freeview Play TVs: YouTube comes from the TV maker's app store, so follow the guide for your TV brand.
Questions people ask
Is yt.be/activate different in the UK?
No. The address and Google's sign-in page are the same in every country. You use your normal Google account.
Do I need a Sky, BT or Virgin login for YouTube?
No. The YouTube app on these boxes signs in with a Google account, not your TV provider account. BT says you can also watch without signing in.
Does YouTube cost extra on BT TV?
BT says it does not charge for YouTube. You may be asked for your parental PIN.