Multiview lets you watch up to four live streams at the same time on one screen

Multiview is a YouTube TV feature that splits your screen into four sections so you can watch four different channels or programs simultaneously. This is most useful during sports season when multiple games air at the same time — you can follow your team while keeping an eye on other matchups. The feature works on most devices where YouTube TV is available, though some older models and phones do not support it.

To use Multiview, you need an active YouTube TV subscription. The feature is built into the app and does not cost extra. Once you open YouTube TV, you can set up Multiview directly from the live guide or from a channel you are already watching.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview splits your screen into four sections so you can watch four live channels at once, which is most useful during sports events.
  • The feature works on most devices including phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices, but not on all older models.
  • You set up Multiview by pressing the Multiview button in the YouTube TV app, then select which four channels or programs you want to watch.
  • You can swap out any of the four streams while Multiview is active by clicking on that section of the screen and choosing a different channel.

How to turn on Multiview on your device

Open the YouTube TV app and navigate to the live guide. Look for the Multiview button — it appears as a grid icon with four squares. On phones and tablets, this button is usually in the top right corner of the screen. On computers and streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV, it is typically in the top left or top right area of the guide.

Once you tap or click the Multiview button, the screen splits into four equal sections. YouTube TV automatically fills these sections with four channels that are currently broadcasting live content. You do not have to watch what YouTube TV chose — you can change any of the four streams when ready.

To change one of the four streams, click or tap on the section you want to replace. A list of available live channels appears. Select the channel or program you want to watch in that section. Repeat this for any of the other three sections until you have the four programs you want to see.

Which devices support Multiview

Multiview works on most modern devices where YouTube TV is available. This includes Android phones and tablets, iPhones and iPads running iOS 12 or later, computers using Chrome or Safari browsers, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and Apple TV (4th generation and newer). Samsung Smart TVs and LG Smart TVs that have YouTube TV built in also support the feature.

Some older devices do not support Multiview. If you try to use the feature and the Multiview button does not appear, your device is not compatible. In that case, you can still watch YouTube TV normally on one channel at a time. You can also try using Multiview on a different device — for example, if your phone does not support it, your computer or streaming device might.

Switching between Multiview and single-channel view

While Multiview is active, you can click or tap on any of the four sections to expand that channel to full screen. This is useful if you want to focus on one game for a moment without turning off Multiview entirely. When you expand a section to full screen, the other three streams continue playing in the background.

To return to the four-way split view, click or tap the Multiview button again, or look for a button that says "Exit full screen" or shows the grid icon. You can also swipe left or right on some devices to move between the four streams while in full-screen mode.

To turn off Multiview completely and return to the normal single-channel guide, press the Multiview button a second time. The app returns to the standard YouTube TV layout where you see one channel at a time.

Audio control when using Multiview

When Multiview is active, only one of the four streams plays audio at a time. By default, YouTube TV plays sound from whichever section you most recently clicked or tapped. If you want to hear a different stream, click or tap that section and the audio switches to it.

You can also expand one of the sections to full screen to hear it more clearly. The audio from that channel becomes the primary sound while the other three streams play silently. This is helpful if you want to follow one game closely while keeping the others visible.

Multiview during live sports events

Multiview is most commonly used during NFL, NBA, college football, and college basketball seasons when multiple games air simultaneously. YouTube TV often highlights Multiview options during these events by showing which games are available to watch together. You can still use Multiview for non-sports programming — for example, watching four different news channels or four different shows — though the feature is designed primarily for sports.

Not all channels are available in Multiview at all times. Channels that are currently broadcasting live content are the ones you can select. If a channel is not showing live programming, it will not appear as an option in the Multiview menu.

Troubleshooting Multiview problems

If the Multiview button does not appear in your YouTube TV app, first check that your device is compatible. Older phones, tablets, and streaming devices may not support the feature. You can also try closing the YouTube TV app completely and reopening it, or restarting your device.

If Multiview is available but one or more of the four streams keeps freezing or buffering, check your internet connection. Multiview requires a stable, fast connection because you are streaming four video feeds at once. If your connection is slow, try moving closer to your router or connecting to a wired connection if your device supports it. You can also reduce the video quality in YouTube TV settings to improve performance.

If you are having trouble changing one of the four streams, make sure you are tapping or clicking directly on the section you want to change. Sometimes the touch area is smaller than it appears, especially on phones. Try tapping in the center of the section you want to replace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Multiview on my phone?

Yes, Multiview works on most modern Android and iPhone devices. The four sections will be smaller on a phone screen than on a tablet or TV, so some people find it harder to see details. If your phone does not support Multiview, try using it on a tablet or computer instead.

Do I need a special YouTube TV plan to use Multiview?

No. Multiview is included with any YouTube TV subscription at no extra cost. You only need an active YouTube TV account to use the feature.

Can I save my Multiview setup so I do not have to choose the same four channels every time?

YouTube TV does not have a saved Multiview preset feature. Each time you set up Multiview, you choose which four channels you want to watch. However, YouTube TV remembers your recent selections, so channels you watched in Multiview before appear near the top of the channel list when you set up Multiview again.

What happens to Multiview if my internet connection drops?

If your connection drops while Multiview is active, all four streams will pause or stop. Once your connection is restored, the streams resume. If the connection is unstable, you may see buffering or freezing on one or more of the four sections.

Can I use Multiview to watch the same channel in four different ways?

No. Each of the four sections in Multiview must show a different channel. You cannot duplicate the same channel across multiple sections of the screen.