Question Can't Sign Out of YouTube

[spARTacus]

Is it confirmed, there is no way to use YouTube (Android YouTube App for phone/tablet) without being signed in with a Google account?

 

[B. Diddy]

I'm pretty sure that's the case. If your device has the option, you could try logging into a guest profile and accessing YouTube that way.

 

[VidJunky]

I've noticed this with YouTube and Instagram, but Google says that it is possible via the instructions below. On a side note, you do not need to be logged into it through a browser. Obviously not the app with all of the conveniences but it is another alternative.

Gemini says,
Yes, you can use the YouTube app to browse and search for content without a Google account. However, certain features like liking videos, subscribing to channels, or creating your own channel require a Google account. You can also browse YouTube while incognito, which allows you to view content without your account influencing your experience. [1, 2, 3]
Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Browsing and Searching: You can access YouTube without signing in and explore videos, channels, and playlists. [1, 2]
• Features Requiring Account: To engage with features like liking videos, subscribing to channels, or creating your own channel, you'll need a Google account. [1, 3]
• Incognito Mode: The incognito mode on mobile devices allows you to browse without your account activity affecting your YouTube experience. [2]
• Guest Mode: On smart TVs, you can often access a guest mode that allows you to browse without signing in. [4]

 

[spARTacus]

From what I can tell, android phone/tablet YouTube app on an android device with a google account simply just doesn't let one sign-out anymore (unless one is fine to delete one"s google account from the device), not even via various ways that seemed to be possible only a few app versions ago. Pretty sure Gemini is lying, and nothing at all is possible without being signed in anymore. And, Incognito Mode isn't the same as not being signed in at all (in my opinion).

Previously, I avoided using chrome browser because it did something similar (would always automatically sign in with one of the device's google accounts, if one went to google.com).

Maybe I'll add a scratch google account to my device and then "switch accounts" to it in the YouTube app, to then see if the "remove account" from within the YouTube app account settings (remove the account from also the entire device) will result in the app being signed into nothing.

 

[spARTacus]

Nope. If one switches to a scratch google account in the YouTube app and then (from within the YouTube app settings) goes to manage account and remove account (removing it from the entire device in order to try to remove it from the YouTube app), then the YouTube app just picks up one of the other google accounts from the device.

 

[VidJunky]

Is it picking up accounts on the device or accounts associated in the browser? Remove accounts from the browser maybe and then try through the browser. I don't know about Chrome but it works for me in the Samsung browser app. I go to Google, where I find my avatar logged in, touch that, log out, and then search YouTube and appear as no one, with recommendations that would not be for me.

 

[spARTacus]

The YouTube android app will pick up a google account from the device. Same way that chrome will do it if one browses to google.com

Using a non google browser, the YouTube website (not via the app) seems to have the ability to remain signed out. Guess that'll be how I mainly visit YouTube from now on.