Yes, you can fast forward on YouTube TV, and the controls work the same way as any streaming service

YouTube TV lets you fast forward through recorded programs, live TV that you've paused, and on-demand content. You use the same remote or keyboard controls you'd use on any other streaming app. The speed and how far you jump forward depends on which device you're watching on — a phone remote works differently than a TV remote, for example.

Fast forwarding is one of the main reasons people record shows on YouTube TV instead of watching them live. You can skip commercials, jump past slow sections, or catch up quickly if you're behind. The feature works on all devices where YouTube TV is available: phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV.

Key Takeaways

  • On a TV remote or streaming device remote, press the forward arrow button or the skip button to fast forward through recorded or paused content.
  • On a phone or tablet, tap the video to show playback controls, then tap the forward arrow or drag the progress bar to jump ahead.
  • On a computer, use the arrow keys or click and drag the progress bar to move forward through the video.
  • YouTube TV does not offer variable fast-forward speeds like some other services — you jump forward by a fixed amount each time you press the button.

Fast forwarding with a TV remote or streaming device remote

If you're watching YouTube TV on a smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, or Chromecast, use the remote's forward arrow button or skip button. On most remotes, this is a button with a right-pointing arrow or a double arrow. Press it once to jump forward by a set amount — usually 10 to 30 seconds depending on your device.

Press the button multiple times to keep jumping forward. There's no need to hold it down; each press moves you forward one increment. If you overshoot what you wanted to watch, use the back arrow button to rewind the same amount. Some remotes also have a dedicated skip button that jumps forward by a larger amount, often 30 seconds or more.

Fast forwarding on a phone or tablet

On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, tap the video while it's playing to bring up the playback controls. You'll see a progress bar at the bottom with a play button, volume control, and other options. Look for the forward arrow button — it's usually on the right side of the progress bar.

Tap the forward arrow to jump ahead by 10 seconds. Tap it multiple times to keep moving forward. You can also drag the progress bar itself to jump to any point in the video — just touch and hold the bar, then slide your finger left or right to the spot you want. This method is faster if you want to skip a large section.

Fast forwarding on a computer

On a Mac or Windows computer, click the video to show the playback controls. Use the right arrow key on your keyboard to jump forward by 5 seconds, or press the J key to jump back and the L key to jump forward. Some keyboards also have dedicated media keys for this.

You can also click and drag the progress bar at the bottom of the video to jump to any point. Click on the bar where you want to go, and the video will jump to that spot. This is the fastest way to skip a large section on a computer.

What happens when you fast forward through live TV

If you're watching live TV on YouTube TV, you can't fast forward through the current broadcast — you can only watch what's already happened. However, if you pause a live program, you can then fast forward through the part you paused. This is useful if you step away during a live game or news broadcast and want to catch up to the current moment.

Once a live program finishes, YouTube TV automatically records it (if you have a recording set up or if it's a show you follow). After that, you can fast forward through the entire recorded version whenever you want to watch it.

Fast forwarding through commercials on recorded shows

One of the main reasons to fast forward is to skip commercials on recorded programs. YouTube TV records shows from cable channels, and those recordings include the original commercials. When you fast forward, you skip right over them.

The amount of time you need to skip varies — a typical 30-minute show has about 8 minutes of commercials, and an hour-long show has about 16 to 18 minutes. You can tap the forward button multiple times, or on a phone or computer, drag the progress bar to jump past the commercial break in one move. On some devices, YouTube TV may show a preview of what's coming up as you drag, so you can see exactly where the show resumes.

Common issues when fast forwarding

If the fast forward button isn't working, first check that you're actually watching recorded content or paused live TV. You cannot fast forward through a live broadcast that's currently airing. If you're trying to fast forward through a recording and nothing happens, try pausing the video first, then using the fast forward button.

On some older streaming devices or if your internet connection is slow, the video might buffer or freeze when you fast forward. Wait a few seconds for the content to load before pressing play. If fast forwarding is consistently slow or broken, restart the YouTube TV app or restart your device. Clearing the app's cache (on phones and tablets) can also help — go to your device's settings, find the YouTube TV app, and select "Clear Cache."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fast forward through live TV while it's playing?

No, you can only fast forward through live TV after you pause it. Once paused, you can jump forward through the part you've already watched. To skip ahead to the current live moment, keep pressing fast forward until you reach the end of the progress bar.

Does YouTube TV have a skip button that jumps 30 seconds like some other apps?

YouTube TV doesn't have a dedicated 30-second skip button built into the app itself. The amount you jump forward depends on your device's remote or the playback controls. On most remotes, each press jumps about 10 to 30 seconds. On phones and computers, you can drag the progress bar to skip any amount you want.

What if I fast forward past the part I wanted to watch?

Use the rewind or back arrow button to go back. On remotes, this is usually a left-pointing arrow. On phones and computers, tap the back arrow or drag the progress bar backward. You can also click directly on the progress bar at the exact spot where you want to resume watching.

Will fast forwarding use more of my internet data?

Fast forwarding through a recorded show uses very little extra data — you're just moving the playback position, not downloading the video twice. Streaming the video itself uses the same amount of data whether you fast forward or not.

Can I fast forward on YouTube TV's cloud DVR recordings?

Yes, fast forwarding works the same way on cloud DVR recordings as it does on any other content in YouTube TV. The recordings are stored on YouTube's servers, and you can fast forward, rewind, and pause them just like on-demand shows.