YouTube TV's multiview feature lets you watch up to four streams at the same time on one screen

Multiview is YouTube TV's built-in tool for splitting your screen into separate windows, each showing a different live channel or recording. You can watch two games side by side, or mix sports with news, or follow four channels at once — the layout adjusts based on how many streams you open. The feature works on most devices where YouTube TV runs, though the exact steps and screen size matter.

Multiview is included with your YouTube TV membership at no extra cost. You do not need a separate subscription or add-on. The main limitation is that you can only use it on one device at a time — if you open multiview on your TV, you cannot simultaneously open it on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiview splits your screen into up to four separate windows, each showing a different live channel or recording you choose.
  • On your TV, you open multiview by pressing the multiview button on your remote or selecting it from the menu; on phones and tablets, you swipe to open a second window.
  • You can watch two games at once by selecting one game in the main window and a second game in a smaller window, then adjusting the layout to split the screen evenly.
  • Multiview works on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Samsung Smart TV, and LG Smart TV, as well as phones and tablets running YouTube TV.
  • If multiview does not appear on your device, check that your YouTube TV app is up to date and that your internet connection is strong enough to stream multiple channels.

How to open multiview on your TV

On most TV devices, multiview has a dedicated button on the remote. Look for a button labeled "Multiview" or an icon showing four squares. Press it, and your screen will split into a grid. If your remote does not have a multiview button, open the YouTube TV menu, scroll to Multiview, and select it.

Once multiview is open, you will see your current channel in one window and empty windows around it. Use your remote to navigate to an empty window, then search for or browse to the second game you want to watch. Select it, and it will fill that window. Repeat for a third or fourth stream if you want to watch more than two channels at once.

To close multiview and return to full-screen, press the multiview button again or select "Exit Multiview" from the menu.

How to open multiview on your phone or tablet

On iOS and Android, multiview works differently than on TV. Open YouTube TV and start watching one game. While that game is playing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (on most phones) or use a two-finger swipe. A second window will appear on top of the first one. Tap the search icon in the second window and find the second game you want to watch.

You can resize and move the second window by dragging its edges or corners. Tap the window to switch which one is in focus. To close the second window, tap the X button in its corner.

On tablets, the process is similar, but you may have more screen space to work with. Some tablets let you arrange two windows side by side instead of stacking them.

Choosing the right layout for two games

When you have two games open in multiview on your TV, you can adjust how the screen splits. The most common layouts are a 50-50 split (left and right halves) or a main window with a smaller picture-in-picture window in the corner. Use your remote to navigate to the layout button — usually shown as a grid icon — and select the arrangement that works best for you.

For two games of equal importance, the 50-50 split gives both games the same screen space. If you want to focus mainly on one game and keep an eye on the other, the picture-in-picture layout lets you make one game larger and the other smaller. You can swap which game is in which position by selecting the window and using the layout menu.

Devices where multiview works and where it does not

Multiview is available on Roku, Apple TV (4th generation and newer), Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast with Google TV, Samsung Smart TV (2016 and newer), and LG Smart TV (2016 and newer). It also works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, though the experience is different from TV.

Multiview is not available on older TV devices, web browsers on computers, or some third-party streaming devices. If you try to open multiview and it does not appear, your device may not support it. Check the YouTube TV help center for a full list of compatible devices, as support is added over time.

Troubleshooting multiview problems

If multiview is not working, first check that your YouTube TV app is fully up to date. Open your device's app store, search for YouTube TV, and install any pending updates. An outdated app can cause features to be missing or behave incorrectly.

Second, check your internet speed. Streaming two games at once requires roughly twice the bandwidth of streaming one game. If your connection is slow or unstable, one or both streams may buffer or drop. Run a speed test on your device or router, and consider moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or restarting it.

If multiview still does not appear after updating and checking your connection, your device may not support the feature. Sign out of YouTube TV, restart your device, and sign back in. If multiview still does not show up, contact YouTube TV support or check their help center for device-specific troubleshooting steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch two games at once on YouTube TV without multiview?

No. Multiview is the only built-in way to watch multiple streams on one screen at the same time. Without it, you can only watch one channel at a time on a single device. You could use a second device — a phone and a TV, for example — to watch two games separately, but that requires two YouTube TV accounts or two separate logins.

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

No. Multiview is included with all YouTube TV memberships at no extra cost. You do not need to pay more or upgrade your plan to use it.

What happens if I open multiview on my TV and then try to open it on my phone at the same time?

You can only use multiview on one device at a time. If you open it on your TV, the multiview feature will be locked on your phone until you close it on the TV. You can still watch YouTube TV on your phone, but you will only see one stream at a time.

Can I record one game while watching another in multiview?

Yes. You can record a game in the background while watching two other games in multiview. The recording happens independently of what you are watching, so it does not affect your multiview experience.

Why does one of my games keep buffering when I use multiview?

Buffering usually means your internet connection is not fast enough to stream two games smoothly. YouTube TV recommends at least 3 Mbps per stream, so two games need roughly 6 Mbps or more. Restart your router, move closer to it, or reduce the video quality in YouTube TV settings to lower the bandwidth needed.