YouTube TV's multiview feature lets you watch up to four channels simultaneously 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 at once on most devices, though some older phones and tablets support only two. The feature works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs — but not on Roku, Fire TV, or Chromecast devices.

To use multiview, you need an active YouTube TV subscription. The channels you add must be ones your account can watch (so if you don't subscribe to a sports package, you won't see those channels in multiview). You control the layout, swap channels in and out, and unmute whichever window you want to hear.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview works on phones, tablets, web browsers, and some smart TVs, but not on Roku, Fire TV, or Chromecast.
  • You can display up to four channels at once on most devices, or two channels on older phones and tablets.
  • To start multiview, tap or click the multiview icon (four squares) in the YouTube TV app or web player, then select which channels to display.
  • You can swap channels, change the layout, and unmute any window to hear its audio while the others stay silent.
  • Multiview works only with live channels you already have access to through your YouTube TV subscription.

How to turn on multiview on your phone or tablet

Open the YouTube TV app and start watching any live channel. Look for the multiview icon — it looks like four small squares — usually in the top right corner of the screen or in the player controls. Tap it to enter multiview mode.

Once multiview is active, you'll see one channel already playing. Tap the plus sign or "Add channel" button in the empty windows to choose which other channels to display. You can add up to three more channels (four total on most phones and tablets, two on older devices). Tap any window to make it full-screen, or tap the multiview icon again to exit.

How to use multiview on a computer or web browser

Go to youtube.com/tv and sign in to your YouTube TV account. Start watching a live channel, then look for the multiview icon (four squares) in the player controls, usually in the top right. Click it to set up multiview.

The screen will split into windows. Click the plus sign in any empty window to add a channel. You can rearrange the layout by dragging windows or clicking the layout button to switch between different grid arrangements. Click any window to unmute it and hear its audio; the others will stay muted. Click the multiview icon again to return to single-channel view.

How to change channels and layouts in multiview

Once multiview is active, you can swap out any channel without leaving the feature. Click or tap the channel name or thumbnail in any window, then select a different channel from the list. The window updates when ready.

Most devices let you choose between different layout options — for example, one large window with three smaller ones, or four equal squares. Look for a layout button (usually three horizontal lines or a grid icon) in the multiview controls. Tap or click it to cycle through available arrangements. You can also drag the dividers between windows to resize them manually on some devices.

Which devices support multiview and which don't

Multiview works on iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets, Windows and Mac computers, and some smart TVs including Samsung, LG, and Android TV models. It does not work on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast devices. If you try to use multiview on an unsupported device, the feature will not appear in the player controls.

On older phones and tablets, multiview may be limited to two channels instead of four. If your device is several years old and multiview doesn't appear, updating the YouTube TV app or your device's operating system may help. If it still doesn't show up, your device may not support the feature.

Unmuting and controlling audio in multiview

By default, all windows in multiview are muted except one. Click or tap the speaker icon on any window to unmute it and hear its audio. Only one window can play sound at a time — unmuting a new window will automatically mute the previous one. This prevents overlapping audio from multiple channels.

If you want to focus on one channel while keeping others visible, unmute that window and the rest will stay silent. You can switch which window is unmuted as often as you like without leaving multiview mode.

Troubleshooting multiview problems

If the multiview icon doesn't appear in your YouTube TV player, first check that you're on a supported device. Multiview is not available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast. If you're on a phone, tablet, or computer, try closing the YouTube TV app completely and reopening it, or refreshing the web page if you're using a browser.

If multiview still doesn't show up, make sure your YouTube TV subscription is active and your app is up to date. Open your device's app store, search for YouTube TV, and install any available updates. If you're on a computer, try a different browser or clear your browser cache. If multiview works on one device but not another, the second device may not support the feature or may need an update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiview to watch four different sports games at the same time?

Yes, as long as all four games are broadcast on channels included in your YouTube TV subscription. If you don't subscribe to a sports package that includes certain channels, those channels won't appear in the multiview channel list. Check your subscription details to see which sports channels you have.

Does multiview work on my Roku or Fire TV?

No. Multiview is not supported on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast devices. You can use multiview on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs like Samsung and LG models. If you want to watch multiple channels at once, you'll need to use one of those devices instead.

Can I resize the windows in multiview?

On most devices, you can choose from preset layout options using the layout button in the multiview controls. On computers and some tablets, you can also drag the dividers between windows to resize them manually. The exact resizing options depend on your device and the YouTube TV app version.

What happens to my recordings if I use multiview?

Multiview doesn't affect your recordings. You can still record channels while using multiview, and your library will work the same way. Multiview is only for watching live channels at the same time — it doesn't change how recordings are stored or played back.

Can I use multiview on my smart TV?

Multiview works on some smart TVs, including Samsung, LG, and Android TV models, but not on Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV. Check your TV's app store to see if YouTube TV is available and up to date. If your TV model supports multiview, the feature will appear in the player controls when you're watching a live channel.