YouTube TV split screen lets you watch two channels at once on compatible devices

YouTube TV's split-screen feature, called multiview, shows two live channels side by side on the same screen. This works on most smart TVs, tablets, and computers, though not on phones. The feature is built into the YouTube TV app — you don't need to read anything extra or change your account settings.

Multiview is useful when you're watching sports and want to keep an eye on another game, or when you want to follow two events happening at the same time. You can swap which channels appear on each side, adjust the layout, and switch back to full-screen viewing whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview works on smart TVs, tablets, and computers, but not on phones or the YouTube TV website in a browser.
  • You access multiview by opening the YouTube TV app, selecting a channel, and tapping or clicking the multiview button.
  • You can rearrange which channels appear on the left and right side, and change the layout from side-by-side to picture-in-picture on some devices.
  • Multiview requires an active YouTube TV subscription and works with any channels included in your plan.

How to turn on multiview on a smart TV

Open the YouTube TV app on your smart TV and select any live channel. Once the channel is playing, look for the multiview icon — it looks like two rectangles side by side — in the bottom right corner of the screen. Press it to set up split screen.

A second channel picker will appear on the right side of the screen. Use your remote to navigate and select a different channel. Both channels will now play simultaneously. You can swap which channel is on which side by pressing the multiview icon again and selecting a new channel for either side.

How to use multiview on tablets and computers

On an iPad or Android tablet, open the YouTube TV app and start playing a live channel. Tap the multiview button in the bottom right corner. A second channel selector will appear, and you can choose which channel to display on the other half of the screen.

On a computer, open the YouTube TV app (not the website) if your device supports it. The process is the same: play a channel, click the multiview icon, and select a second channel. On some computers, you may need to use the YouTube TV web app through a browser, which does not support multiview — in that case, you'll need to use the desktop app instead.

Switching between side-by-side and picture-in-picture layouts

On some devices, YouTube TV offers different multiview layouts. Side-by-side is the default, with each channel taking up half the screen. Picture-in-picture puts one channel in a smaller window overlaid on top of the other.

To change the layout, look for a layout icon (usually near the multiview button) and tap or click it. Not all devices support both layouts — smart TVs typically offer side-by-side, while tablets may offer both options. If you don't see a layout option, your device only supports one format.

Exiting multiview and returning to full screen

To close multiview and watch one channel in full screen, press the multiview button again. The screen will return to showing only the channel that was on the left side. You can then select a different channel to watch if you want.

Alternatively, you can navigate away from the channel you're watching — go to the guide, search for a new channel, or open a recording — and multiview will automatically close.

Devices that support multiview

Multiview works on most modern smart TVs, including models from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other major brands. It also works on iPad and most Android tablets. On computers, the YouTube TV app (not the browser version) supports multiview on Windows and Mac.

Multiview does not work on phones, even if you have YouTube TV installed. It also does not work if you're watching YouTube TV through a web browser on any device — you must use the YouTube TV app. If you're unsure whether your device supports it, open the YouTube TV app, start playing a channel, and look for the multiview button in the corner.

Troubleshooting multiview problems

If the multiview button doesn't appear, make sure you're using the YouTube TV app (not a web browser) and that you're watching a live channel. Recorded shows and on-demand content don't support multiview. Also check that your YouTube TV subscription is active and up to date.

If multiview stops working after you've used it before, try closing the YouTube TV app completely and reopening it. On a smart TV, you may also need to restart the TV itself. If the problem continues, check that your app is updated to the latest version — go to your device's app store and look for any pending YouTube TV updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiview with recorded shows or on-demand content?

No, multiview only works with live channels. If you try to select a recorded show or on-demand program for the second screen, the app will not allow it. You can only watch two live channels at the same time.

Do I need a special YouTube TV plan to use multiview?

No, multiview is included with any YouTube TV subscription at no extra cost. As long as your account is active, you can use split screen on any compatible device.

Can I watch the same channel on both sides of the screen?

No, YouTube TV requires you to select two different channels for multiview. If you try to select the same channel for both sides, the app will not allow it.

Why does multiview not work on my phone?

YouTube TV's multiview feature is not available on phones, even though the app is installed. This is a limitation of the app itself. You can only use multiview on smart TVs, tablets, and computers.

Can I adjust the size of each channel in split screen?

On most devices, the two channels split the screen equally — each takes up roughly half. Some tablets may offer picture-in-picture mode, which lets you resize the smaller window, but side-by-side mode does not allow resizing on any device.