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To use YouTube on an Android phone or tablet, install the official YouTube app from Google Play, then browse Home or search for videos. Signing in with a Google Account lets you subscribe to channels and organize playlists; casting to a TV and downloading videos are optional features with separate requirements.
Install YouTube and decide whether to sign in
- Open the Google Play Store and search for YouTube.
- Choose the official YouTube app and tap Install. YouTube Help lists Android 9.0 or later as the app requirement: YouTube Help: download the YouTube mobile app.
- Open YouTube. To use account features, tap the profile or account area and sign in with a Google Account.
You can browse without signing in, but subscriptions, playlists, purchases, and account history require a signed-in account. On Android, using YouTube’s sign-out flow also signs that Google Account out of other Google apps on the device, including Gmail and Maps. If you want to browse without tying activity to your usual YouTube session, YouTube Help describes Incognito as an alternative: YouTube Help: sign in and out of YouTube.
Find videos with Home and Search
Browse recommendations
Home presents video recommendations informed by your preferences and activity. The exact layout and navigation labels can change between app versions, but the main destinations include Home, Subscriptions, and Library or You.
Search for a video, channel, or playlist
- Tap Search in the YouTube app.
- Enter a topic, title, creator, or other search term.
- Review the results. Where available, use filters to narrow results to videos, channels, or playlists.
- Tap a result to open it. Tap the video to show or hide playback controls.
YouTube Help explains the Android app’s navigation and search options; button placement may differ as the interface changes: YouTube Help: navigate YouTube.
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- 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
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- 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 notifications
- Open a video from the channel you want to follow.
- Tap the channel name or icon beneath the video to open its channel page.
- Tap Subscribe. New uploads from subscribed channels are available in Subscriptions.
- To adjust alerts, use the notification control next to the subscription. YouTube’s default is highlights rather than a notification for every upload; a channel marked as made for kids does not offer the usual notification controls.
YouTube Help currently lists 75 new channel subscriptions per day as a daily limit, while noting that limits can change and that overall limits vary by channel or account. Treat this as a current service rule, not a permanent guarantee: YouTube Help: subscribe to channels.
Use playback controls and accessibility features
While a video is playing, tap the player to reveal controls. Depending on the video and app version, you can turn captions on, manage playlist playback, or minimize the player to keep browsing. YouTube for Android also supports Android accessibility features such as TalkBack and Explore by Touch. YouTube’s accessibility guidance covers navigating the app, searching, playback, captions, playlists, minimizing the player, and upload controls: YouTube Help: 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 a video from Android to a TV
- Make sure you have a compatible TV, Chromecast, or supported streaming device available.
- Open YouTube on your phone and start a video.
- Tap the Cast button in the app and choose the TV or device.
Casting is optional; it is not needed to watch videos on your Android device. Availability depends on having a compatible TV or streaming device. YouTube Help describes casting from the mobile app: YouTube Help: cast YouTube to your TV.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Download videos for offline viewing
Check availability and download in the app
Offline viewing depends on your location and the particular video. YouTube Premium members can download eligible videos in the app where the feature is available; in select locations, some videos can be downloaded without Premium, while 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.
- Sign in to the account you want to use for offline viewing.
- Open an eligible video and tap Download, if the option appears.
- Choose a download quality if prompted. Higher quality takes more storage and may take longer.
- To find downloads later, open the profile or Library/You area and go to Downloads. The labels may vary by app version.
Know the limits of offline downloads
In many cases, downloaded videos can be watched offline for up to 29 days before the app needs to reconnect to the internet; some countries or regions use a 48-hour period. Downloads are tied to the signed-in account, and a video may disappear if it is no longer available. YouTube’s download instructions explain availability and reconnection rules: YouTube Help: watch videos offline on mobile.
These are in-app downloads, not ordinary video files you can move or play in another app. YouTube says offline videos are encrypted and playable only in YouTube, and audio or MP3 downloads are not available through the app: YouTube Help: download videos to watch offline.
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.
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- 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
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- 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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