Check your Google Account for an active YouTube TV subscription
The simplest way to know if you have YouTube TV is to look at your Google Account settings. Go to myaccount.google.com, click the "Payments & subscriptions" tab on the left, then select "Manage subscriptions." If YouTube TV appears in that list with a status of "Active," you have a current subscription.
If you see YouTube TV listed but the status says "Cancelled" or "Paused," your subscription is not currently active. A cancelled subscription means you stopped paying and no longer have access to live TV channels or the YouTube TV app.
You can also check directly through the YouTube TV app or website. Open the app on any device where you're signed into your Google Account, and if the app loads and shows your channel guide, you have an active subscription. If you see a message asking you to subscribe or sign up, your account does not have YouTube TV.
Key Takeaways
- Your Google Account's "Manage subscriptions" page shows whether YouTube TV is active, paused, or cancelled.
- If the YouTube TV app opens and displays your channel guide without prompting you to subscribe, you have an active account.
- A paused subscription means you temporarily stopped service but can restart it; a cancelled subscription means you ended it completely.
- If you share a Google Account with family members, any of them can check the subscription status in the same way.
- Your billing method and renewal date appear in the same subscriptions section, so you can see when you'll be charged next.
Look at your recent charges and billing history
Check your Google Play billing page to see if YouTube TV charges appear in your recent transactions. Go to payments.google.com, click "Payments & subscriptions," then "Billing settings." Scroll down to "Payment methods and transactions" and look for recent charges labeled "YouTube TV" or "Google TV."
YouTube TV charges appear monthly on the same day each month. If you see a charge from the current month or last month, you almost certainly have an active subscription. If the last charge was several months ago, your subscription was likely cancelled or paused.
You can also check your email for YouTube TV receipts. Google sends a confirmation email each time your subscription renews. Search your email inbox for "YouTube TV" or "Google TV" and look at the dates. Recent emails mean an active account.
Sign into the YouTube TV app on a device
Open the YouTube TV app on a phone, tablet, or streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick. Sign in with your Google Account. If the app loads and shows your full channel guide, your subscription is active.
If you see a message that says "Subscribe to YouTube TV" or "Start your free trial," you do not have an active subscription. The app will not let you watch live TV or access recorded shows without a current subscription.
If you own a device but are not sure which Google Account is signed in, go to the app's settings or account menu. Most streaming apps show your email address at the top of the settings screen. Make sure you're signed into the same Google Account where your YouTube TV subscription is registered.
Ask about shared family access
YouTube TV subscriptions can be shared with up to five other household members through Google's family sharing feature. If someone else in your home has YouTube TV, you may have access to it even if the subscription is not under your name.
To check if you're part of a family group with YouTube TV, go to families.google.com and sign in with your Google Account. If you see a family group listed, click on it and look at the subscription details. If YouTube TV is listed under that family's subscriptions, you can use it on any device where you're signed in.
If you're not sure whether your household has a family group set up, ask the person who pays for YouTube TV. They can tell you whether you're included in their family sharing plan.
Check what happens when you try to watch
The most direct test is to try watching a live TV channel or a recorded show in the YouTube TV app. If the video plays without interruption, you have an active subscription. If you get a message asking you to subscribe or start a free trial, you do not.
Some channels may be blocked by location or parental controls even if your subscription is active, but you'll see a specific message about that rather than a general subscription prompt. If you can watch any channel at all, your subscription is active.
If you're on a free trial, the app will show a countdown timer telling you how many days remain before you're charged. Once the trial ends, you'll need to add a payment method to keep watching.
Understand the difference between paused and cancelled
A paused subscription means you temporarily stopped your YouTube TV service but did not cancel it completely. You can restart a paused subscription at any time without losing your recordings or settings. Paused subscriptions usually appear in your "Manage subscriptions" list with a "Paused" label.
A cancelled subscription means you ended your YouTube TV service permanently. You cannot watch live TV or access your recordings. If you want YouTube TV again, you have to start a new subscription from scratch. Cancelled subscriptions may disappear from your subscriptions list or show a "Cancelled" status.
If your subscription is paused, you'll see a message in the YouTube TV app offering to restart it. Click that message and follow the steps to turn your subscription back on. You'll be charged on your next billing date.
Contact YouTube TV support if you're unsure
If you've checked your Google Account and billing page but still can't tell whether you have YouTube TV, you can contact Google support directly. Go to support.google.com/youtubetv and click "Contact us" at the bottom of the page. You can start a chat or call, and a support agent can look up your account and tell you your subscription status.
Have your Google Account email address ready when you contact support. The agent will ask you to verify your identity before sharing subscription details. This usually takes a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have YouTube TV on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. YouTube TV lets you watch on up to three devices at once if you have an active subscription. You can watch on your phone, tablet, and TV simultaneously as long as they're all signed into the same Google Account or a family group account that includes YouTube TV.
What happens to my recordings if my subscription is paused?
Your recordings stay in your library while your subscription is paused. If you restart your subscription, all your recorded shows are still there. If you cancel completely, your recordings are deleted after a certain period, usually within a few weeks.
If I share a Google Account with someone else, can I tell if they have YouTube TV?
Yes. Anyone signed into that Google Account can see the subscription in "Manage subscriptions." If you share a Google Account with a family member, you both see the same subscription status and billing information. For privacy, Google recommends using family sharing instead of sharing a single account.
Does YouTube TV show up differently on my bill if I'm on a free trial?
Free trials appear in your "Manage subscriptions" list just like paid subscriptions, but with a countdown showing days remaining. You won't be charged during the trial period. Once the trial ends, you'll be charged the regular monthly rate unless you cancel before the trial expires.
Can I tell if my YouTube TV subscription is about to renew?
Yes. In your "Manage subscriptions" page, YouTube TV shows your renewal date and the amount you'll be charged. It also shows your current billing cycle dates. You can cancel anytime before the renewal date to avoid being charged.