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casting

How to Watch a YouTube Live Stream on Your TV

Open YouTube on your TV, or cast a live stream from a phone or computer. Here are the steps for each option, including TV-code linking across Wi-Fi networks.

By VGSources Team 4 min read
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The easiest way is to open the YouTube app on your smart TV, game console, or streaming device and select the live stream. If your TV does not have the app, you can cast from the YouTube mobile app over the same Wi-Fi, link your phone to the TV with a code when they are on different networks, or cast from a computer browser on the same Wi-Fi.

Start with the YouTube app on your TV

Open YouTube on your smart TV, game console, or connected streaming device, then find and select the live stream. YouTube says its app is available on most smart TVs, game consoles, and streaming devices; availability can depend on the particular model.

If YouTube is missing, check the device’s app store and the platform-specific installation guidance in YouTube’s app installation instructions. They cover supported paths including Android TV or Google TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast with Google TV. Check your device’s app support before buying anything.

Cast a live stream from your phone or tablet

Use the YouTube app on your mobile device, not youtube.com in a mobile browser. The phone or tablet and the TV or streaming device need to be on the same Wi-Fi network for this casting method.

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  1. Connect the phone or tablet and TV or streaming device to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open the YouTube app on the TV or streaming device.
  3. Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet and select the live stream.
  4. Tap Cast, then choose the TV or streaming device.

YouTube’s instructions for mobile casting and device linking are in its smart TV and casting help.

Link your phone to the TV with a code

If your phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks, you can link them using a TV code. This option uses the YouTube apps on both devices; it is not available with computers.

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  1. On the TV or streaming device, open YouTube and go to Settings > Add a device. Keep the code shown on screen handy.
  2. On your phone or tablet, open the YouTube app and select Cast > Add a device.
  3. Enter the code displayed on the TV, then use the mobile app to select the live stream.

Cast from a computer

A computer can cast from youtube.com to a TV or streaming device when both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

  1. Connect the computer and target TV or streaming device to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open the live stream at youtube.com.
  3. Open the player’s three-dot menu, choose Cast, and select the TV or streaming device.

Browser casting does not include some features. YouTube directs viewers who need advanced features to use the YouTube app instead.

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Choose the option that fits your setup

Option What you need Best fit
YouTube app on the TV A TV, game console, or streaming device with the YouTube app Watching directly on the big screen without casting from another device
Cast from a phone or tablet YouTube app on both devices and the same Wi-Fi network Starting a stream on your mobile device and sending it to the TV
TV-code linking YouTube app on both devices and a code from the TV; the devices can be on different networks Using a phone or tablet when the devices do not share Wi-Fi
Cast from a computer youtube.com, a compatible TV or streaming device, and the same Wi-Fi network Watching from a computer browser; some features may be unavailable

Fix common YouTube TV casting problems

The TV does not appear in the Cast list

  • Confirm that the phone or tablet and TV or streaming device are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Make sure YouTube is open on the TV or streaming device.
  • Check whether the device requires local-network discovery permission and enable it. YouTube’s help page includes a specific permissions note for Android 17 and later.

The phone and TV are on different networks

Use Settings > Add a device on the TV’s YouTube app to get a code, then choose Cast > Add a device in the phone or tablet app and enter it. A computer cannot use TV-code linking.

An older Chromecast will not let you sign in directly

YouTube says direct sign-in on older Chromecast devices is unsupported. You can control a cast session from a signed-in phone instead. See YouTube’s TV and game-console sign-in help.

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Know which YouTube service you are opening

This guide is for ordinary YouTube live streams in the YouTube app or at youtube.com. YouTube TV is a separate subscription television service, with its own support guidance. Also, a stream’s availability is not guaranteed on every device or in every country; compatibility and access can vary.

Or let it run in the cloud

If you are a creator who wants a YouTube channel to stay live around the clock, StreamNeo is a different tool from watching a live stream on your TV: upload a video or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. It streams your upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; it can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start your free day.

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