YouTube TV is a streaming service you watch through an app on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV device
YouTube TV works like cable television, but instead of a box connected to your wall, you read an app and watch live channels and recorded shows whenever you want. You pay a monthly fee, sign in with your Google account, and get access to over 100 channels including news, sports, entertainment, and local broadcasts. The service records shows automatically so you can watch them later, and you can watch on multiple devices at the same time depending on your plan.
The main difference from regular cable is that you control when and where you watch—there's no contract, no technician visit, and no equipment rental. You can start watching within minutes of signing up, and you can cancel anytime. The service works on phones, tablets, computers, Roku, Apple TV, Google TV, Fire TV, and many smart TVs.
Key Takeaways
- read the YouTube TV app on the device you want to watch on, then sign in with your Google account to start watching live channels when ready.
- The home screen shows live channels at the top and a list of shows you can browse by category—tap any show or channel to start watching.
- Recordings happen automatically for shows you mark as favorites, and you can watch them anytime in the Library section without ads.
- You can watch on multiple devices at once, but the number depends on your plan—check your account settings to see how many simultaneous streams you have.
- The search button at the top of the home screen finds specific shows, channels, or sports teams across all available content.
read the app and sign in with your Google account
Go to your device's app store—the Google Play Store on Android phones and tablets, the App Store on iPhones and iPads, or the app section on your TV device. Search for "YouTube TV" and tap the official app (the one with the YouTube TV logo). Tap Install or Get, and wait for the read to finish.
Open the app and tap Sign In. Enter your Google email address and password. If you don't have a Google account, you can create one for free using any email address. After you sign in, the app will ask you to confirm your location—this is required because YouTube TV shows different channels and content based on where you live. Allow location access when prompted.
If you haven't paid for YouTube TV yet, the app will show you the current price and let you start a trial or subscribe. You'll need a payment method on file (credit card, debit card, or Google Play balance). Once payment is set up, you're ready to watch.
Navigate the home screen and find channels to watch
When you open YouTube TV, the home screen shows a row of live channels at the top, usually organized by category like News, Sports, or Entertainment. Below that are sections for trending shows, recommended content, and categories you can browse. Tap any channel name or show thumbnail to start watching when ready—live channels play right away, and recorded shows start from the beginning.
The bottom of the screen has navigation buttons. The Home button takes you back to the main screen. The Live button shows all available channels in a grid so you can flip through them quickly. The Library button shows your saved shows and recordings. The Search button (magnifying glass) lets you find specific shows, channels, or sports teams by typing.
To browse by category, scroll down on the home screen and tap a category name like Sports, News, or Kids. This shows you all channels and shows in that category. You can also tap the Browse button (three horizontal lines) to see a full list of all channels available in your area.
Mark shows as favorites so they record automatically
When you find a show you like, tap the heart icon or the plus sign next to the show title. This marks it as a favorite. YouTube TV will automatically record all new episodes of that show and save them in your Library for up to nine months. You don't have to do anything else—the recordings happen in the background.
To see your favorite shows, go to the Library section and look for a Favorites tab or scroll to find the shows you marked. Tap any recording to watch it. You can remove a show from favorites by tapping the heart icon again, and YouTube TV will stop recording new episodes (though previously recorded episodes stay in your Library until they expire).
If a show airs at a time you can't watch, marking it as a favorite is the easiest way to make sure you don't miss it. The recording is available on demand, so you can watch it whenever you want, and there are no ads during recorded shows.
Watch on multiple devices and manage your account
You can watch YouTube TV on several devices at the same time, but the number depends on your plan. Most plans allow two or three simultaneous streams. If you try to watch on more devices than your plan allows, you'll get a message saying the limit has been reached, and you'll need to stop watching on another device first.
To check how many simultaneous streams your plan includes, open the YouTube TV app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings. Look for the Membership section, which shows your plan details. If you need more simultaneous streams, you can upgrade your plan from this same menu.
You can sign in on as many devices as you want—the limit only applies to how many can play at the same time. This means you can have the app on your phone, tablet, computer, and TV, but only two or three can be actively playing a show at once. If someone else in your household signs in with their own Google account, they count as a separate viewer and have their own Library and favorites.
Use the search function to find specific shows and sports
Tap the Search button (magnifying glass icon) at the top of the home screen. Type the name of a show, channel, or sports team. YouTube TV will show you matching results, including channels that carry that content, shows with that title, and upcoming games or events. Tap any result to watch it or see more details.
Search is useful when you know exactly what you're looking for but don't want to browse through categories. For example, you can search for a sports team name and see all upcoming games featuring that team across all channels. You can also search for a movie title or actor name to find what's available to watch.
If you search for a show that hasn't aired yet, YouTube TV will show you the air date and time. You can tap the plus icon to add it to your favorites, and it will record automatically when it airs.
Pause, rewind, and fast-forward through live TV
When you're watching a live channel, YouTube TV lets you pause, rewind, and fast-forward up to 72 hours into the past. This is called Cloud DVR. Tap the pause button to stop the broadcast, then use the rewind button to go back or the fast-forward button to skip ahead. You can also tap and drag the progress bar at the bottom to jump to a specific point.
This feature works on all live channels, so if you miss the beginning of a show or want to rewatch a moment, you can go back without waiting for a rerun. The 72-hour window means you can pause and rewind anything that aired in the last three days, but after that it's gone unless you marked the show as a favorite (which records it permanently).
On recorded shows in your Library, you have the same controls—pause, rewind, and fast-forward work the same way. You can also skip the opening credits or jump to the next episode if you're watching a series.
Troubleshoot common problems
If you see a message that YouTube TV is not available in your location, your device's location setting may be turned off. Go to your device settings, find Location or Location Services, and turn it on. Then open YouTube TV again and allow it to access your location. YouTube TV requires location access to show you the correct local channels and content for your area.
If the app won't load or keeps crashing, try closing it completely and reopening it. If that doesn't work, restart your device. On a TV device like Roku or Apple TV, unplug it from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. If you're on a phone or tablet, hold down the power button until the device shuts off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
If you can't sign in, make sure you're using the correct Google email address and password. If you forgot your password, tap "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen and follow the steps to reset it. If you're still having trouble, check that your internet connection is working by opening another app or website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch YouTube TV on my TV without a smart TV?
Yes. If your TV doesn't have YouTube TV built in, you can use a streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, or Amazon Fire TV. Plug the device into your TV's HDMI port, read the YouTube TV app on it, sign in, and you're ready to watch. These devices cost between $30 and $100 depending on the model.
What happens to my recordings if I cancel my subscription?
Your recordings and Library disappear when your subscription ends. If you think you might resubscribe later, watch or read anything you want to keep before your cancellation takes effect. Once you cancel, there's no way to recover the recordings.
Can I watch YouTube TV offline?
No, YouTube TV requires an internet connection to watch live channels and recorded shows. You cannot read shows to watch offline. Make sure you have a stable internet connection before you start watching.
How do I change which Google account is signed in?
Open the YouTube TV app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Sign Out. Then tap Sign In and enter a different Google email address and password. Each Google account has its own Library and favorites, so switching accounts will show you different saved shows.
What if I share my YouTube TV account with family members?
Family members can sign in with their own Google accounts on shared devices, and each person gets their own Library and favorites. However, they count toward your simultaneous stream limit. If you want family members to have their own separate accounts without sharing a subscription cost, YouTube TV offers a Family Plan that lets you add members and manage permissions through your account settings.