What Multiview Does and How to Turn It On

Multiview lets you watch up to four live channels at the same time on one screen. Instead of switching between channels, you see them all in a grid layout — useful during sports events, award shows, or when multiple games are happening at once. The feature is built into YouTube TV and costs nothing extra if you already have a subscription.

To turn on Multiview, press the Multiview button on your remote while watching live TV. On most devices, this button has a grid icon. If your remote does not have a dedicated button, you can access Multiview through the menu: open the YouTube TV app, select a live channel, then look for a grid or four-box icon in the upper right corner of the screen and tap it.

Multiview works on most devices where YouTube TV is available — phones, tablets, computers, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Fire TV. It does not work on some older devices or on the YouTube TV website viewed in a browser on desktop, though you can use it on the mobile app on the same computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the Multiview button on your remote or tap the grid icon in the app to split your screen into four channels.
  • You can swap out any of the four channels by clicking on that box and selecting a different live channel.
  • Audio plays from only one channel at a time — tap the box you want to hear to make that channel's sound active.
  • Multiview works on phones, tablets, streaming devices, and smart TVs, but not on the desktop website.
  • You can save your favorite Multiview layouts so they load automatically the next time you open the app.

Changing Channels Within Multiview

Once Multiview is active, each of the four boxes shows a different channel. To swap out one channel for another, tap or click on the box you want to change. A channel list will appear, and you can scroll through and select any live channel available in your YouTube TV package.

You can change all four channels, one channel, or leave some boxes empty — there is no rule that says all four must be filled. If you only want to watch two channels side by side, fill two boxes and leave the other two blank. The layout adjusts automatically.

The channels you select stay in Multiview until you manually change them. If you exit Multiview and come back later, the same four channels will be there waiting for you, unless you have cleared your app data or are on a different device.

Managing Audio in Multiview

Only one channel's audio plays at a time, even though you are seeing four video feeds. To hear the sound from a specific channel, tap or click on that box. The box will highlight or show a speaker icon, and that channel's audio becomes active.

If you want to mute all audio while using Multiview, use your device's volume controls or mute button as you normally would. You can also tap the speaker icon on the active channel box to mute just that channel's sound without affecting the video.

This audio setup means Multiview works best when you are watching the action on screen and do not need to hear commentary from all four channels at once. Many people use it during sports events where they want to see multiple games but only listen to one broadcast.

Saving and Loading Multiview Layouts

YouTube TV lets you save your Multiview setup so it loads automatically the next time you open the app. After you have arranged your four channels the way you want them, look for a Save Layout or Save This View option — the exact wording depends on your device, but it is usually a star icon or a menu option near the Multiview button.

Once you save a layout, YouTube TV remembers which four channels were in which boxes. The next time you turn on Multiview, that same layout loads. You can save multiple layouts if you want — for example, one for football games and one for news channels — though most devices let you save only one active layout at a time.

To change a saved layout, straightforward rearrange your channels and save again. The new arrangement will overwrite the previous one. If you want to go back to the default Multiview setup without a saved layout, clear the saved layout through the app settings or by resetting your YouTube TV preferences.

Devices and Compatibility

Multiview is available on Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Android phones and tablets, and iPhones and iPads. On these devices, the feature works the same way: press the Multiview button or tap the grid icon, then select your channels.

The desktop website version of YouTube TV does not support Multiview in the browser. However, if you are on a computer, you can use the YouTube TV mobile app (available on Windows and Mac through the Microsoft Store or App Store) and Multiview will work there.

Older streaming devices or devices running outdated software may not have Multiview. If you do not see the Multiview button or grid icon on your device, check that your YouTube TV app is up to date by visiting your device's app store and installing any available updates.

Troubleshooting Multiview Problems

If Multiview is not working, first check that you are watching live TV. Multiview only works with live channels — it does not work with on-demand shows, recordings, or YouTube content. If you are on a live channel and Multiview still does not appear, try closing the YouTube TV app completely and reopening it.

If the Multiview button is missing from your remote, you may have an older remote model. Try accessing Multiview through the app menu instead: open YouTube TV, go to a live channel, and look for the grid icon in the top right corner. If that icon is not there either, your device may not support Multiview.

If one of your four channels is not loading or shows a black screen, that channel may be experiencing a broadcast issue. Try swapping it out for a different channel. If the problem happens with multiple channels, restart your device and your internet router, then open YouTube TV again.

When Multiview Is Useful

Multiview shines during live events where multiple things are happening at once. During the Super Bowl, you might watch the main game in one box, the halftime show in another, and two other games in the remaining boxes. During award shows, you can monitor different red carpet feeds or backstage coverage without missing the main broadcast.

Sports fans use Multiview to follow multiple games during playoff season or to watch their team while keeping an eye on other scores. News watchers can monitor different news channels side by side to compare coverage. During breaking news, you might watch one channel for the main story and others for updates on related events.

Multiview is less useful for watching scripted shows or movies, since you need to follow a single story. It also works best on larger screens — phones and tablets can feel cramped with four channels squeezed into one view, though it is still possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch more than four channels at once?

No, Multiview is limited to four channels maximum. If you need to watch more than four live feeds, you would need to use multiple devices or switch between channels manually.

Does Multiview cost extra money?

No, Multiview is included with your YouTube TV subscription at no additional cost. It is a built-in feature available to all subscribers.

Can I use Multiview on my phone while someone else watches regular TV on the living room TV?

Yes. YouTube TV lets multiple people stream at the same time on different devices, depending on your plan. Check your YouTube TV account settings to see how many simultaneous streams your plan allows, then you can use Multiview on one device while someone else watches normally on another.

What happens to my Multiview layout if I switch devices?

Saved layouts are device-specific. If you save a layout on your Roku, it will not automatically appear on your phone. You would need to set up and save the layout separately on each device.

Can I use Multiview with DVR recordings?

No, Multiview only works with live TV. You cannot use it to watch four recorded shows at once or to mix live channels with recordings.