Alex Ruben
How To Remove a Google Account from the YouTube App
If you’ve ever needed to sign out or remove a Google account from the YouTube app on your phone, you know it can be a little tricky sometimes. Maybe you’re switching accounts, or just trying to tidy things up. Whatever the reason, this process can seem straightforward but has its quirks – especially if you’re dealing with multiple accounts on the same device. The idea is that removing an account from YouTube will disconnect it from that app, but keep in mind it might also interfere with other Google services like Gmail or Google Drive if you’re not careful. So, here’s a somewhat messy but effective way to get that done on Android or iOS.
How to Remove a Google Account from YouTube on Your Phone
Access the Account Settings in the YouTube App
Start by firing up the YouTube app. Tap on your profile icon at the top right corner. Sometimes it’s at the bottom right on iOS, but generally, it’s that little circle with your initial or picture. Make sure you’re logged into the account you want to remove before you go crazy with the options, otherwise, it won’t show up.
- Tip: If the profile icon isn’t showing your current account details, try switching accounts first, in case you’re logged into multiple Google accounts. Sometimes, YouTube loads the last used account and not the one you’re focusing on.
Switch to Manage Your Accounts on the Device
Once inside, tap on your profile again, then pick Manage Accounts on this Device. On Android, this takes you directly into your device’s account settings. On iPhone, it might redirect you to Google Account settings in the system, which is a bit annoying but still doable.
- Why it helps: Because of course, Google likes to hide the actual account removal options inside system settings or in the app settings, which can be a pain to find at first.
Remove the Google Account
Now, find the Google account you want gone. Tap on it, and look for Remove Account or Remove from this Device. On Android, you usually get a confirmation dialog asking if you’re sure. Confirm – but be aware, this action removes the account from all Google services on this device, not just YouTube.
- Side note: Not all devices are equal here; some require you to hit a menu icon first, or to go into Settings > Accounts > Google to see the remove option.
Finish Up and Restart if Needed
After confirming, the account should be gone from YouTube and other Google apps. But, sometimes, a quick restart helps if it’s not immediately reflected. On some setups, it takes a bit of nudging — especially if your device caches account details. If you’re on iOS, the process might involve going into Settings > Mail > Accounts, then removing the account from there, because YouTube on iOS relies on system account settings more heavily.
Extra Tips & Common Snags
Make sure your app is up to date — old versions can throw a tantrum when trying to remove accounts. If you run into errors, sometimes a quick reboot helps, but in more stubborn cases, clearing app cache/data (on Android: go to Settings > Apps > YouTube > Storage > Clear Cache/Data) can fix weird glitches. Remember, removing an account means totally disconnecting it from that device, so if you want to get it back, just sign in again later. Also, on some Android setups, you need to first disconnect the account from Settings > Accounts > Google before the app will let you remove it from YouTube. It’s all a bit convoluted, but crouching through settings usually gets it done.
Wrap-up
This isn’t exactly a clean process, especially if you’re juggling multiple accounts or on a less common device. Still, following this method usually gets the job done. Removing your Google account from YouTube shouldn’t be a nightmare if you know where to tap and what buttons to click — hopefully without losing access to your other Google services, unless that’s what you want. Sometimes, it’s just about digging in and being patient when things don’t work immediately.
Summary
- Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture
- Go to Manage Accounts on this Device
- Select the account and choose Remove from this Device
- Confirm and restart if needed
- On iOS, check Settings > Mail > Accounts to remove accounts system-wide