YouTube TV's split screen feature lets you watch two channels at once on compatible devices

YouTube TV's multiview feature displays two live channels side by side on the same screen. This works on most web browsers, Android phones and tablets, and some smart TVs — but not on iPhones, iPads, or Roku devices. The two streams play simultaneously with independent audio controls, so you can mute one channel while watching the other, or switch between them without closing either feed.

Multiview is included with your YouTube TV membership at no extra cost. The feature works best on larger screens where you have room to see both channels clearly, though it functions on phones as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview works on web browsers, Android devices, and select smart TVs, but not on iPhones, iPads, or Roku.
  • You set up multiview by clicking the multiview icon in the YouTube TV player, then selecting a second channel from the guide.
  • Each channel has its own volume control, so you can mute one stream while keeping the other audible.
  • You can swap which channel appears on the left or right side, or close one stream to return to full-screen viewing.

How to turn on multiview on a web browser

Open YouTube TV in your web browser and start watching a live channel. Look for the multiview icon — it looks like two rectangles side by side — in the player controls at the bottom right of the screen. Click it once.

The screen splits in half. Your current channel stays on the left. On the right side, you'll see a guide showing available channels. Scroll through the list and click any channel you want to watch in the second window. Both channels now play simultaneously with independent volume sliders below each feed.

To switch channels in either window, click the channel name at the top of that side and select a new one from the guide. To close multiview and return to full-screen, click the multiview icon again.

Multiview on Android phones and tablets

Open the YouTube TV app and begin watching a live channel. Tap the screen to reveal the player controls, then look for the multiview icon in the bottom right corner. Tap it.

The screen splits horizontally — one channel appears above the other on phones, or side by side on tablets depending on your screen orientation. The channel guide appears on the right. Tap any channel to add it to the second window. Each channel has its own volume control directly below it.

To change channels in either window, tap the channel name and select from the guide. Tap the multiview icon again to close the second stream and return to single-channel viewing.

Multiview on compatible smart TVs

Multiview is available on Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, and LG Smart TV models running recent software versions. Open the YouTube TV app on your TV and start a live channel. Use your remote to navigate to the multiview icon in the player controls and select it.

The screen splits to show two channels. Use your remote's arrow keys to navigate the channel guide on the right side and select a second channel. Both audio streams play through your TV speakers; use the volume controls on your remote to adjust each channel independently, or mute one entirely.

Not all smart TV models support multiview — if you don't see the multiview icon in your player controls, your TV model does not have this feature. Roku devices, Fire TV, and Apple TV do not support multiview at this time.

Switching and closing channels in multiview

Once multiview is active, you can change either channel without closing the other. Click or tap the channel name at the top of either window to open the guide for that side only. Select a new channel, and it replaces the current one in that window while the other channel keeps playing.

To swap the positions of your two channels — moving the left channel to the right and vice versa — look for a swap icon (usually two arrows pointing at each other) near the multiview controls. Not all devices display this icon; on some, you'll need to close one channel and reopen it in the opposite position.

To exit multiview entirely, click or tap the multiview icon again. The screen returns to full-screen single-channel viewing, and the channel you were watching last remains on screen.

Audio control and volume in multiview

Each channel in multiview has its own volume slider positioned directly below or beside it. Adjust either slider independently — turning one channel up does not affect the other. You can mute one channel completely by clicking or tapping the mute icon next to its volume slider, which is useful when you want to focus on one broadcast while keeping the other visible.

If your device has a physical volume button (phones, tablets, remotes), pressing it will adjust the volume of whichever channel was most recently active. To avoid accidentally changing the wrong channel's volume, use the on-screen sliders instead.

Devices that do not support multiview

Multiview does not work on iPhones or iPads, even with the YouTube TV app installed. Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV boxes also lack multiview support. If you own one of these devices and want to watch two channels at once, you'll need to use a web browser or Android device instead.

YouTube TV continues to expand multiview compatibility, so check the YouTube TV help center or your device's app store to see if support has been added since you last checked. In the meantime, you can always open YouTube TV on a second device — a phone, tablet, or computer — to watch a second channel simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch multiview on my iPhone or iPad?

No. YouTube TV's multiview feature is not available on iPhones or iPads. You can watch YouTube TV on these devices, but only one channel at a time. To use multiview, switch to an Android device, web browser, or compatible smart TV.

Does multiview cost extra?

No. Multiview is included with your YouTube TV membership at no additional charge. You do not need a special plan or subscription tier to use it.

What if the multiview icon does not appear in my player?

Your device may not support multiview. Check that you are using a compatible device — web browser, Android phone or tablet, or compatible smart TV. If you are on a supported device, try closing and reopening the YouTube TV app or refreshing your browser. If the icon still does not appear, your specific device model may not have multiview enabled yet.

Can I watch more than two channels at once?

No. Multiview displays exactly two channels side by side. You cannot add a third or fourth channel to the same screen. If you want to monitor more than two channels, open YouTube TV on a second device.

Does multiview work with DVR recordings?

No. Multiview only works with live channels. You cannot use it to watch two recorded programs at the same time. You can, however, watch one live channel and one DVR recording by opening them on separate devices.