Multiview lets you watch up to four channels at once on one screen
Multiview is a YouTube TV feature that splits your screen into separate windows, each showing a different live channel. You can watch four channels simultaneously, mute individual streams, and swap any window to full screen without losing the others. The feature works on most devices where YouTube TV is available, though the setup and controls differ slightly depending on whether you are using a phone, tablet, computer, or TV.
To use Multiview, you need an active YouTube TV subscription. The feature is included at no extra cost. You do not need to change any account settings or enable anything in your YouTube TV preferences — Multiview is available the moment you open the app.
Key Takeaways
- Multiview is built into YouTube TV and costs nothing extra; you access it directly from the app on your device.
- On phones and tablets, swipe up from the bottom of the screen during live TV to open the Multiview menu, then select up to four channels.
- On computers and TV devices, look for the Multiview icon (usually four small squares) in the player controls or menu bar.
- You can mute individual channels, swap any window to full screen, and change channels within each window without closing Multiview.
- Multiview works best on larger screens; on phones it can feel cramped, so YouTube TV also offers a picture-in-picture option as an alternative.
How to open Multiview on a phone or tablet
On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, start playing any live channel in the YouTube TV app. Once the video is playing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. A menu will appear with options including Multiview. Tap Multiview to set up it.
The screen will split into four equal sections. Each section shows a different channel, and YouTube TV will pre-populate them with channels you watch frequently. To change any channel, tap the window you want to modify, then select a new channel from the list that appears. You can also tap and hold a window to drag it to a different position on the screen.
To mute a single channel without muting the others, tap the speaker icon in the corner of that window. To return to full-screen viewing of one channel, tap the expand icon (usually an arrow pointing outward) in the corner of the window you want to enlarge.
How to open Multiview on a computer
On a Mac or Windows computer, open YouTube TV in your web browser and start playing a live channel. Look for the Multiview icon in the player controls — it usually appears as four small squares arranged in a grid. Click this icon to set up Multiview.
Your screen will divide into four windows. Click any window to select a different channel. The channel list will appear, and you can scroll through and click the channel you want to watch in that window. You can also right-click a window to access options like muting that stream or removing it from the view.
To exit Multiview and return to full-screen viewing, click the Multiview icon again or click the expand icon in any window to make it full screen.
How to open Multiview on a TV device
On a TV connected to YouTube TV (through a Chromecast, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, or Samsung TV app), start playing a live channel. Use your remote to navigate to the player controls. The Multiview option is usually located in the menu or control bar — look for the four-square icon or a button labeled "Multiview."
Once activated, the screen splits into four sections. Use your remote's arrow buttons to navigate between windows and select new channels. The interface is designed for TV remotes, so navigation is slower than on a phone or computer, but the functionality is the same. You can mute individual streams and swap windows to full screen using the remote controls.
Changing channels and muting individual streams
In Multiview, each window operates independently. To change the channel in any window, tap or click that window to select it, then choose a new channel from the menu. You do not have to close Multiview to switch channels — the other three windows keep playing uninterrupted.
To mute one channel without affecting the others, look for the speaker icon in the corner of that window. On phones and tablets, tap the speaker icon. On computers, right-click the window and select mute. On TV devices, use your remote to navigate to the window and select the mute option. The muted window will continue to display video but will produce no sound.
If you want to hear only one channel, mute the other three. If you want to focus on one channel temporarily, tap or click the expand icon to make it full screen — the other three windows will pause but remain in memory, so you can return to Multiview and they will resume where they left off.
Troubleshooting Multiview when it does not appear
If you do not see the Multiview option in your YouTube TV app, first check that you are watching a live channel. Multiview only works with live TV, not on-demand content or recordings. If you are watching live TV and Multiview still does not appear, try closing the app completely and reopening it.
On phones and tablets, make sure you are swiping from the very bottom of the screen — swiping from the side or middle may not trigger the menu. On computers, refresh the page and look again for the four-square icon in the player controls. On TV devices, check that your remote is paired correctly and try navigating the menu with the arrow buttons.
If Multiview is still unavailable, your device or YouTube TV subscription may not support it. Multiview is available on most modern devices, but very old phones, tablets, or TV devices may not have the feature. Check the YouTube TV help center or contact YouTube TV support to confirm whether your device is compatible.
When to use picture-in-picture instead of Multiview
YouTube TV also offers picture-in-picture, which shows one main channel at full size with a smaller window of a second channel in the corner. Picture-in-picture is useful when you want to follow two channels closely but do not need to see four at once. It takes up less screen space than Multiview and is easier to use on a phone.
To use picture-in-picture, start playing a channel, then tap the picture-in-picture icon (usually a small rectangle overlapping a larger one) in the player controls. A second channel window will appear in the corner. Tap the small window to change which channel it shows. You can drag the small window to any corner of the screen.
Picture-in-picture is also the better choice if you want to watch YouTube TV while using other apps on your phone. Multiview locks you into the YouTube TV app, but picture-in-picture lets you minimize the app and keep one channel playing in a small window while you use your phone for other tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Multiview on all YouTube TV devices?
Multiview is available on phones, tablets, computers, and most TV devices including Chromecast, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, and Samsung TV. Very old devices may not support it. If you do not see the Multiview option on your device, check the YouTube TV help center to confirm compatibility.
Do I need a special YouTube TV plan to use Multiview?
No. Multiview is included with all YouTube TV subscriptions at no extra cost. You do not need to change your plan or enable any settings — the feature is available in the app as soon as you start watching live TV.
What happens to the other three channels when I expand one window to full screen?
The other three windows pause but remain in memory. When you return to Multiview, they will resume playing from where they paused. You do not lose any content by expanding one window temporarily.
Can I record all four channels at once while using Multiview?
No. Multiview is for watching only. If you want to record multiple channels, you must record them separately through your YouTube TV library. You can record up to nine shows at once across your account, but you can only watch one at a time in Multiview.
Is there a limit to how many times I can switch channels in Multiview?
No. You can change channels in any window as many times as you want. There is no limit to switching, and changing a channel in one window does not affect the others.