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 arrange them however you want—four equal squares, one large window with smaller ones, or other layouts depending on your device. This works on most phones, tablets, and computers, though the exact steps and layout options vary by device type.

The feature is included with your YouTube TV membership at no extra cost. It's useful during sports seasons when multiple games air at once, during breaking news when you want to monitor several channels, or anytime you want to keep an eye on more than one program without switching back and forth.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview is built into YouTube TV and works on phones, tablets, and computers—swipe or tap the screen to open the multiview menu.
  • You can add up to four channels at once, and each window shows live TV with full sound control for each channel independently.
  • On phones and tablets, you arrange windows by dragging them; on computers, you click layout buttons to choose your preferred arrangement.
  • Multiview works best on larger screens like tablets or computers because four channels on a phone screen become difficult to read.
  • If multiview doesn't appear, check that you're on a supported device and that you're watching live TV rather than on-demand content.

How to open multiview on your phone or tablet

Start by opening YouTube TV and tuning to any live channel. Once a channel is playing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (on Android) or swipe down from the top (on iPad or iPhone). This brings up the multiview menu at the bottom of your screen.

Tap the multiview icon—it looks like four small squares arranged in a grid. YouTube TV will add a second window to your screen, usually in a split-screen layout. The channel you were already watching stays in one window, and a new empty window appears next to it. Tap the empty window, then search for or select the second channel you want to watch. Repeat this process to add a third and fourth channel if you want them.

Once all your channels are added, you can rearrange the windows by dragging them. Press and hold any window, then drag it to a different position on the screen. You can also resize windows by dragging the edges where two windows meet.

How to set up multiview on a computer or tablet web browser

Open YouTube TV in your web browser and start playing any live channel. Look for the multiview icon in the video player controls—it's the four-square grid icon, usually in the bottom right corner near the fullscreen button. Click it to set up multiview.

A second window will appear on your screen. Click inside the new window and search for the second channel you want to watch. You can add up to four channels total. Once you have multiple channels open, look for the layout buttons that appear when multiview is active. These buttons let you choose how the windows are arranged—two columns, one large window with three smaller ones, or other preset layouts. Click the layout that works best for what you're watching.

On a computer, you cannot drag windows around like you can on a phone. Instead, use the layout buttons to switch between preset arrangements. If you want to remove a channel from multiview, click the X button in the corner of that window.

Controlling sound and switching channels in multiview

Each window in multiview has its own volume control. When you tap or click inside a window, that channel's sound comes through your speakers. The other channels are muted. You can switch which channel is audible by clicking or tapping a different window—the audio will when ready switch to that channel.

To change what channel appears in any window, click or tap inside that window and use the search bar or channel guide to pick a new channel. The window updates when ready. You can swap channels in and out without closing multiview, so you can follow different programs as they start and end throughout the day.

Devices and screen sizes that work best with multiview

Multiview works on most modern phones and tablets running recent versions of iOS or Android, as well as on computers using Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox browsers. However, the experience varies by screen size. On a phone, four channels squeezed into one screen becomes cramped and hard to read. Multiview is most practical on tablets (7 inches or larger) and computers, where each window has enough space to see what's happening.

If you're using an older phone or tablet, multiview may not be available. YouTube TV occasionally phases out support for older devices, so if the multiview icon doesn't appear, your device may not support the feature. Updating your YouTube TV app or browser to the latest version sometimes restores access.

Troubleshooting when multiview won't appear

Multiview only works when you're watching live TV. If you're watching a recorded show, an on-demand movie, or a YouTube TV recording, the multiview option won't show up. Switch to a live channel first, then try opening multiview again.

If the multiview icon still doesn't appear, try closing and reopening the YouTube TV app or refreshing your browser. Make sure your app is fully updated—go to your device's app store and check for pending updates. If you're on a computer, try a different browser to see if the issue is specific to the one you're using.

Some networks or channels occasionally block multiview for certain programs, particularly live sports or breaking news events. If you can open multiview but can't add a specific channel, that channel may be restricted from multiview during that broadcast. Try adding a different channel instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch four different channels at the same time with sound from all of them?

No. Only one channel's audio plays at a time. When you click or tap a window, that channel's sound comes through. The other three windows are muted. This is by design—hearing four channels at once would be overwhelming.

Does multiview work on my smart TV or streaming device?

Multiview is not available on most smart TVs, Roku devices, Apple TV, or Chromecast. It works on phones, tablets, and computers. If you want to use multiview, you'll need to watch on one of those devices instead of casting to your TV.

What happens to my multiview setup if I pause or rewind a channel?

Pausing or rewinding one window doesn't affect the others. Each window operates independently, so you can pause one channel to catch up while the other three keep playing live. When you resume, that window picks up where you left off.

Can I save my multiview layout so I don't have to set it up every time?

YouTube TV does not save custom multiview layouts between sessions. Each time you open YouTube TV, you'll need to add your channels again. However, the layout buttons on computers let you quickly choose a preset arrangement, which is faster than building it from scratch.

Why does multiview look different on my phone than on my tablet?

Smaller screens have less space, so YouTube TV adjusts the layout automatically. On a phone, windows stack differently than on a tablet. The feature works the same way—you still add and control channels the same way—but the visual arrangement changes based on your screen size.