Arrange channels into folders to find what you watch

YouTube TV lets you group channels into custom folders so you see only what matters to you on your home screen. You create these folders yourself, name them however you want, and drag channels into them. The folders appear at the top of your channel list, and you can collapse or expand them with a single tap or click.

This is different from the channel guide that comes with your YouTube TV account. The guide shows every channel you subscribe to in one long list. Custom folders let you build your own view — one folder for news, another for sports, another for kids' shows — so you spend less time scrolling and more time watching.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom folders are created and managed on the home screen or in the full channel guide, and they appear only on the device where you create them.
  • You can create as many folders as you want, name them anything, and move channels between them at any time.
  • Folders collapse to show only their name, saving space on your screen and making your channel list shorter.
  • Removing a channel from a folder does not cancel your subscription — the channel stays in your account and appears in the full guide.

Create a new folder on your home screen

On the YouTube TV home screen, look for the "+" icon next to your channel list. Tap or click it, then select "Create a new folder." Type the name you want — "Sports," "News," "Reality TV," or anything else — and confirm. The folder appears in your channel list right away, empty and ready for channels.

On a phone or tablet, the "+" icon is usually at the top or bottom of your channel list, depending on your app version. On a web browser, it sits next to the channel names on the left side. If you do not see it, make sure you are signed into the account that owns the YouTube TV subscription.

Add channels to a folder

Once your folder exists, open the full channel guide by tapping or clicking "All channels" or the guide icon. Find the channel you want to move, then press and hold it (on mobile) or right-click it (on a computer). A menu appears with the option to move the channel. Select the folder you want, and the channel moves there when ready.

You can also drag channels directly into folders on some devices. On a computer, click and hold a channel name, then drag it over the folder name and release. On a phone or tablet, the drag-and-drop method works in some app versions but not others — if it does not work, use the right-click or press-and-hold menu instead.

Rename or delete a folder

To change a folder's name, find it in your channel list, then press and hold it (mobile) or right-click it (computer). Select "Rename folder," type the new name, and confirm. The change takes effect right away on that device.

To delete a folder, use the same press-and-hold or right-click menu and select "Delete folder." The folder disappears, but the channels inside it stay in your account and reappear in the full channel guide. Deleting a folder does not cancel any subscriptions.

Organize folders across different devices

Folders you create on your phone do not automatically appear on your TV or computer. Each device has its own folder setup. This means you can customize your channel list differently on each device — for example, keep kids' shows in a folder on the family TV but not on your personal phone.

If you want the same folders on multiple devices, you will need to create them separately on each one. The good news is that the process is the same everywhere, and you can reuse the same folder names and channel groupings without much extra work.

Collapse folders to save space

When a folder is expanded, you see all the channels inside it. Tap or click the folder name to collapse it — it shrinks to show only the folder name and a small icon. This saves space on your screen, especially if you have many folders or many channels in each one.

A collapsed folder still shows you how many channels are inside it (usually as a number or small indicator). You can expand it again anytime by tapping or clicking the folder name. Collapsing and expanding does not change the channels inside — it is just a way to organize your view.

Rearrange the order of your folders

On most devices, you can drag folders up and down in your channel list to put your favorites at the top. Press and hold a folder name (mobile) or click and drag it (computer), then move it to where you want it. Release, and the folder stays in its new position.

The order you set on one device does not carry over to another device. If you want the same order on your TV and your phone, you will need to rearrange them separately on each one. The order you choose is purely for your convenience — it does not affect which channels are in each folder or how YouTube TV works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my folders show up on every device I use?

No. Folders are specific to the device where you create them. If you set up folders on your phone, they will not appear on your TV or computer unless you create them there too. Each device has its own separate folder setup.

Can I move a channel to more than one folder?

No. A channel can only be in one folder at a time. If you move it to a different folder, it leaves the first folder. You can move it back anytime by using the same press-and-hold or right-click menu.

What happens to my subscription if I delete a folder?

Your subscription does not change. Deleting a folder just removes the grouping. All the channels that were in it stay in your account and show up in the full channel guide. You can move them to a different folder or leave them ungrouped.

Can I hide channels I do not want to watch?

Folders do not hide channels — they just organize them. If you want a channel out of sight, do not put it in any folder, and it will only appear in the full channel guide when you search for it. You cannot remove a channel from your account without canceling that part of your subscription.

How many folders can I create?

YouTube TV does not set a limit on the number of folders you can create. You can make as many as you need. Keep in mind that too many folders can make your channel list longer, so most people find that five to ten folders work best.