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    Social Media
    Beginner
    2 min read 5 stepsMarch 31, 2026Verified March 2026

    How to Watch Videos on YouTube

    YouTube is the world's largest video website. Here's how to find, watch, and enjoy any video — from cookery tutorials to live news.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Open YouTube
    2. 2.Search for a video
    3. 3.Play and control the video
    4. 4.Watch in full screen
    5. 5.Adjust video quality if needed
    1

    Open YouTube

    ~17s
    On a computer, open your web browser and go to youtube.com. On a phone or tablet, open the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android), search for "YouTube," and download the free app.

    Quick Tip

    You do not need an account to watch videos. You can start watching right away without signing in.

    2

    Search for a video

    ~15s
    Tap or click the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen. Type what you want to watch — for example, "how to make banana bread" or "today's news." Then press Enter on a keyboard or tap Search on your phone.
    3

    Play and control the video

    ~17s
    Tap on a video thumbnail (the small picture) to start playing it. Tap the screen once to show the controls. Tap the pause button (two vertical lines) to pause, or the play button (triangle) to resume. Use your device's volume buttons on the side to adjust the sound.
    4

    Watch in full screen

    ~16s
    On a phone, turn your phone sideways to fill the whole screen with the video. On a computer, click the small square icon in the bottom right corner of the video to go full screen. Press the Escape key on your keyboard to exit full screen.
    5

    Adjust video quality if needed

    ~21s
    If the video looks blurry or keeps stopping, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the video, then tap "Quality." Choose a lower number like "360p" or "480p." This uses less internet and helps the video play smoothly on slower connections.

    Quick Tip

    Creating a free Google account lets you subscribe to channels, save videos for later, and leave comments.

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    Official Resources

    Facebook Help CenterAARP Social Media GuideFTC — Social Media Safety

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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    How to Watch Videos on YouTube — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure