What Multiview Does and Which Devices Support It

Multiview lets you watch up to four YouTube TV channels at the same time on one screen. Instead of switching between channels, you see them all in a grid layout — one large main feed and three smaller ones, or four equal squares. You control which channel appears in each window and can swap them around without leaving the screen.

Multiview works on most devices, but not all. You can use it on a web browser (on a computer), on Android phones and tablets, on iPhones and iPads running iOS 14 or later, on Roku devices, on Google Chromecast, on Amazon Fire TV, and on Samsung Smart TVs. It does not work on Apple TV or on older Android devices running versions before Android 5.0.

Your YouTube TV account needs an active subscription — Multiview is included at no extra cost. If you share your account with family members, each person can set up their own Multiview layout, and the app remembers your preference the next time you open it.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview is built into YouTube TV and costs nothing extra; you just need an active subscription to use it.
  • On phones and tablets, tap the grid icon at the bottom of the screen to turn Multiview on, then tap channels to fill each window.
  • On a web browser, click the grid icon in the bottom right corner of the player to open Multiview mode.
  • You can drag channels between windows to rearrange them, and tap or click any window to make it the main full-screen feed.
  • Multiview works on most devices except Apple TV and very old Android phones, and your layout saves automatically.

Turning On Multiview on Your Phone or Tablet

Open the YouTube TV app and start playing any channel. Look at the bottom right corner of the screen — you will see a grid icon (four small squares). Tap it. The screen splits into four windows, each showing a different channel or a blank space waiting for you to pick one.

To fill each window, tap the blank area or the channel name inside it. A list of channels appears. Scroll through and tap the one you want to watch in that window. Repeat for each window until you have four channels showing, or leave some blank if you only want to watch two or three at once.

To swap channels between windows, tap and hold a channel window, then drag it to a different position. To make one channel fill the whole screen, tap that window — it expands to full size, and the other three shrink to a small bar at the bottom. Tap the grid icon again to go back to four-window view.

Setting Up Multiview on a Computer

Go to youtube.tv in your web browser and sign in. Start playing any channel. In the bottom right corner of the video player, you will see a grid icon. Click it. The player splits into four sections.

Click any blank section or the channel name in it to open the channel list. Select the channel you want to watch there. Do the same for each of the other three windows. You can click and drag a window to swap its position with another, or click a window to expand it to full screen.

On a computer, you can also use your keyboard: press the number keys 1, 2, 3, or 4 to jump between windows without using your mouse. This is useful if you are watching sports or news and want to switch focus quickly.

Using Multiview on Streaming Devices and Smart TVs

On Roku, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, or a Samsung Smart TV, open YouTube TV and start any channel. Use your remote to navigate to the grid icon (usually in the bottom right of the player) and select it. The screen splits into four windows.

Use your remote's arrow buttons to move between windows and select a channel for each one. On most remotes, you can press a number key (1, 2, 3, or 4) to jump straight to that window. To expand one window to full screen, select it and press OK or Enter on your remote.

The layout you create stays saved in your account, so the next time you open YouTube TV on that device, Multiview will remember which channels you had in each window. If you want to change it, just select different channels the same way.

Rearranging Channels and Switching Between Views

Once Multiview is on, you can move channels around without stopping playback. On a phone or tablet, tap and hold a channel window and drag it to swap places with another. On a computer, click and drag a window the same way. On a streaming device, use your remote to select a window, then look for a move or swap option in the menu.

To focus on one channel, tap or click it to expand it to full screen. The other three channels shrink to a thin bar at the bottom — you can still hear them playing in the background. Tap or click the grid icon again to go back to four-window view, or tap one of the small channels in the bar to expand a different one.

If you want to turn Multiview off completely and go back to watching one channel at a time, tap or click the grid icon a second time. Your layout saves automatically, so when you turn Multiview back on, the same channels will be in the same windows.

What to Do If Multiview Is Not Working

If the grid icon does not appear or Multiview will not turn on, first check that you have an active YouTube TV subscription. Multiview only works for paid accounts. If your subscription is current, try closing the YouTube TV app completely and opening it again.

On a phone or tablet, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or use your app switcher) to close YouTube TV, then reopen it. On a computer, close the browser tab and go back to youtube.tv. On a streaming device, press the home button on your remote, then reopen YouTube TV from your apps.

If Multiview still does not appear, your device may not support it. Check the list at the top of this article — Apple TV and very old Android phones do not have Multiview. If you are on a supported device and it still is not working after restarting, try signing out of your YouTube TV account and signing back in.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Multiview

Multiview is most useful during live events when you want to watch multiple channels at once — sports games, news coverage, or award shows where different networks cover the same event. You can compare commentary, catch replays on one channel while following the main action on another, or keep an eye on breaking news across channels.

If you are watching on a phone, landscape mode (turning your phone sideways) gives you more screen space and makes the four windows larger and easier to read. On a tablet, Multiview is even more practical because the bigger screen means each window is still readable.

Remember that all four channels play at the same time, so your internet connection needs to be strong enough to stream four video feeds. If you notice buffering or freezing, try closing Multiview and watching one channel at a time, or move closer to your Wi-Fi router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch more than four channels at once?

No, Multiview is limited to four channels maximum. If you want to watch a fifth channel, you would have to replace one of the four already showing. YouTube TV does not offer a way to display more than four channels on one screen.

Does Multiview use more data than watching one channel?

Yes, streaming four channels at once uses roughly four times the data of streaming one channel. If you are on a limited data plan, Multiview can use your monthly allowance faster. Watching over Wi-Fi instead of mobile data is a good way to avoid surprises.

Can I record shows while using Multiview?

Yes, you can record any of the four channels showing in Multiview. Just tap or click the record button on whichever channel you want to save. Your recordings work the same way as if you were watching that channel alone — they appear in your library and you can watch them later.

What happens to my Multiview layout if I sign out?

Your Multiview layout is tied to your account, not your device. If you sign out and sign back in on the same device, your layout returns. If you sign in on a different device, that device will have its own saved layout (or no layout if you have never used Multiview there before).

Can family members on my account have different Multiview layouts?

Yes, each person who signs into your YouTube TV account can set up their own Multiview layout. The app remembers each person's preference separately, so when you sign in, you see your layout, and when someone else signs in, they see theirs.