Adding someone to your YouTube Premium lets multiple household members enjoy ad-free videos, offline downloads, and background playback. This shared membership is managed through a single active account that you can invite others in your household to use.
This guide explains how to check membership details, manage household members, and handle permissions so everyone can get the most from YouTube Premium.
| Aspect | What it means for YouTube Premium | Who can use it | Household rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active member | The primary account that purchased or manages the Premium subscription | Signed-in user on any device | Can manage household invites and settings |
| Household member | Additional people you approve to use Premium under your same address | People you invite and verify live in your home | Limited to 5 members maximum |
| Profile | Personal space within the household to keep watch history and recommendations separate | Each household member can create multiple profiles | Profiles help keep recommendations tailored per person |
| Device access | Premium benefits work on phones, tablets, TVs, and computers for household members signed in | Any device where someone signs in with their Google account | Each sign-in consumes one household slot |
How YouTube Premium household membership works
Primary account controls the subscription
The account that pays for YouTube Premium is the organizer. This account can send invitations to household members and view approval requests. Only one active payment method is tied to the membership, and the organizer can review and change billing details at any time.
Inviting people into your household
To add someone, you use the household settings in the YouTube app or YouTube.com. You will share a code or email invite, and the invited person must verify that they live at your address. Verification can include confirming a payment method or sharing location information depending on your region.
Signing in and managing household members
Check current members and remove access
On the YouTube homepage, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then tap Your plan or Membership. From there, select Manage household to see active members. You can remove someone who no longer lives with you, which helps you stay within the allowed member limit and keep benefits active.
Creating profiles for better personalization
Each household member can create separate profiles on the same devices. Profiles keep watch history, playlists, and recommendations separate, so recommendations remain relevant. This also prevents content interruptions in shared spaces like living room TVs.
Troubleshooting common issues with YouTube Premium
Resolving verification and location errors
If someone cannot be added, check your internet connection and make that the invitee uses a Google account in good standing. Location services on the device should be enabled, and the address used for verification should match where you receive the service. Restarting the app and signing out and back in often fixes temporary glitches.
Billing, payment, and membership lapses
When the payment method on the primary account fails, the entire household can lose Premium benefits. Make sure the payment method is valid and update it in the Google Account payment settings. Members will be notified in advance of any required action to keep the membership active.
Device limits and feature availability
Supported devices and offline downloads
YouTube Premium works on phones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers, but each sign-in counts toward the household limit. Downloads for offline viewing are available to household members when they are signed in and connected to the app. Some older devices may require app updates to access the latest features.
Ad-free experience and background play
Ad-free viewing and background play are available to all household members who are actively signed in. If you notice ads appearing for a household member, check that the member is signed in to the correct account and that the subscription is active. Updating the app and clearing cache can resolve sync issues.
Managing your household and profiles effectively
- Review household members regularly to remove people who no longer live with you.
- Create individual profiles for each household member to keep recommendations personalized.
- Keep the primary account login secure and update the payment method promptly.
- Use location services and stable internet during verification to avoid delays.
- Check app updates on TVs, phones, and tablets to maintain feature compatibility.
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I add a family member to YouTube Premium on my phone?
Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, tap Your plan, then Manage household, and follow the invite steps to add and verify a new member.
Can I add someone who lives in a different city to my YouTube Premium household?
No, YouTube requires household members to verify that they live at the same address, so distant locations cannot be added to the same membership.
What happens if I remove a household member from YouTube Premium?
They will lose access to Premium features immediately, and their profile and data will be removed from your household account.
How many people can I add to my YouTube Premium household in total?
You can have up to five household members in total, including yourself, across all devices.