YouTube TV Family Sharing: Everything You Need To Know

If you have been a part of the YouTube TV service for a while now, you must be aware of all the perks it comes with especially the live channel options. However, YouTube TV also allows subscribers to share their single account with their family members.

Although YouTube introduced the family sharing feature back in 2022 a lot of users still aren’t aware of this long-awaited addition that makes sharing one account to multiple members super simple. In this article, we will discuss all about YouTube TV family sharing and how you can set it up on your account. So let’s dive in!

What is YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is a subscription-based streaming service that lets you watch live TV from over 100 major cable networks including popular ones like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, etc. From live sports to must-see shows to unlimited storage recording options, YouTube TV is a great choice for anyone who loves to stream live content wherever they go.

SEE ALSO: How to Get FOX Channel on DirecTV (Channel Numbers) ➜

YouTube TV Family Sharing

Apart from being a go-to live streaming service, YouTube TV also allows users to share a single subscription with up to five other family members per household without any additional cost. Each family member not only gets their separate profile but also a customized experience tailored to their viewing preferences.

Additionally, subscribers can also enjoy the benefit of splitting the cost of a subscription by contributing between each member.

READ MORE: How to Record Anything on YouTube TV ➜

Requirements and Limitations of YouTube TV Family Sharing

YouTube TV family-sharing isn’t all gloomy, it still has a few limitations and requirements you should know about before getting into YouTube TV family-sharing.

↪ Requirements

Although there aren’t any major requirements to subscribe to YouTube TV other than a few but if you are planning to share your account with other members, here are a few more conditions you need to fulfil:

1. YouTube TV is only available in the United States.
2. Family members must be at least 13 years old to be eligible for invitation.
3. The family manager or admin must be at least 18 years old with a personal Google account.
4. Once your family members join your plan they won’t be able to join another family group.

↪ Limitations

In addition to meeting these requirements, family members also have a few limitations when they join your family group such as:

• Simultaneous Streaming: Only three of your family members can consecutively watch live TV the other members will have to wait for them to finish.
• Location Limitation: YouTube TV family sharing is only available for members living under the same roof and YouTube checks in every so often to confirm members’ location as well.
• Family Manager: The entire subscription plan is managed by a single person—the Family Manager. This includes managing members, suggesting content and most importantly paying the fee.

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How to Set up YouTube TV Family Sharing

Before you can begin sharing your YouTube TV account with other family members, you will need to set up the sharing feature in the app. Here’s how to set up YouTube TV family sharing:

1. Head to YouTube TV and log into your account. 
   

   

2. In the upper right corner, click on your profile icon.
   

   

3. From the drop-down menu, select Settings.
   

   

4. Under Settings, head to the Family Sharing tab and click on the Manage option.
   

   

5. This will direct you to a new Your family on Google window where you’ll need to click on the Get started button.
   

   

6. Next, click on the Create a family group button.
   

   

7. From here, a dialog box will open up with the title Ready to be a family manager? Here, you’ll have a short explanation of what a family manager is. Once you are good to go, simply press the Confirm button.
   

   

8. The send invitation screen should now appear. Here, select the people you want to add to your Family Group via their email addresses or from your contacts.
   

   

9. And that’s it! You will receive a confirmation window indicating the successful creation of the Family group and the sending of invitations. Click on the ‘Understood‘ button to proceed.
   

   

Accepting YouTube TV Family Sharing Invitations

Now that you have sent invitations to your family members, the rest of the process will be handled from their side. Here’s how to accept and join YouTube TV family sharing:

1. Head to your Gmail account and open up the invitation you received. 
2. Here, click on the Accept Invitation option.
   

   

3. A dialog box with an explanation about your invitation will open up. Click on the Get Started button.
   

   

4. Next, Google will ask you for confirmation to be a part of the family. Here, click on the Join Family button.
   

   

5. And you are in! You’ll receive a Welcome to the Family! message. You can also explore who else is in your Family Group by clicking on the View Family option. 
   

   

READ MORE: YouTube TV Not Working? Try these fixes ➜

YouTube TV Family Group – Add or Remove Members

If one of your members doesn’t use YouTube TV anymore or isn’t part of the same household anymore, you can easily remove family members from the group or add new ones. Here’s how to add or remove members from your YouTube TV family group:

1. Click on your profile icon on the homepage and select Settings.
   

   

2. Next, head to the Family Sharing tab and click on the Manage button.
   

   

3. Now, click on the family member you want to remove.
   

   

4. Next, select Remove Member. 
   

   

5. You’ll be asked to provide your account details and confirm the removal of the family member. Click on Remove again and you are good to go.
   

   

If you want to add a family member in replacement to the one you just removed, you’ll need to open up the Family Sharing manager and from there tap on the Invite family member option to send invitations to new members.

Bonus: Leave or Delete a YouTube TV Family Group

YouTube TV family group also allows users to not only leave current family groups but also provides family managers the option to delete entire groups from the settings. Let’s look at both of them individually:

↪ Leaving Your Current Family Group

For users who don’t regularly use the service or are planning to join another Family Group, you’ll need to leave your existing one before joining a new one.

Here’s how to leave your current YouTube TV family group:

1. Log into your YouTube TV account and tap on your profile icon.
   

   

2. From here, open up Settings > Family Sharing and click on the Manage option.
   

   

3. Next, click on the Leave family group option in the left menu.
   

   

4. Google will ask you for your password and confirm that you want to leave.
   

   

↪ Deleting Your Family Group (For Admins Only)

Family managers can also delete entire groups if most of the members don’t use them as often.

Here’s how to delete your current YouTube TV family group:

1. Open up YouTube TV and click on Settings from your profile icon.
   

   

2. Now, head to the Family Manager tab and click on the Manage link.
   

   

3. Here, click on the Delete family group from the left menu. Enter your details and confirm your request. 
   

   

4. Once you delete the family group, only you’ll be able to use YouTube TV now.
   

   

Screenshots sourced from TheRenderQ

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Hulu Live vs. YouTube TV

Hulu is another streaming service that also offers a Live TV version similar to what YouTube TV has. However, YouTube TV offers a few more channels especially local PBS stations that Hulu doesn’t have. Additionally, YouTube TV’s family sharing plan allows three devices to stream Live TV simultaneously as compared to Hulu’s family sharing which only supports two devices at once.

Overall, both of these services offer something unique so if Hulu is on your list make sure to thoroughly check it before deciding on one.

Is YouTube TV Family Sharing Worth It?

YouTube TV family sharing isn’t an add-on that will cost you extra money to get. Instead, it’s a free option that allows you to invite more people to YouTube TV. As YouTube TV itself is a paid service, you should consider a few reasons before getting it.

Although it costs around $73/mo once your first 3 months offer ends ($51/mo) it’s a great replacement for traditional cable and satellite television. It allows you to watch live TV on your phone, tablet, laptop, and other devices with your family members.

SEE ALSO: What is Philo TV? The New Streaming Service Undercutting Competitors ➜

However, if you are someone who usually watches regional sports a lot you should stick to your current setup as it doesn’t have the best regional sports network (RSN) coverage. Additionally, as the service is only available for US residents, you can’t access it when traveling outside the United States.

READ MORE: 6 Ways to Disable YouTube Shorts on Web, Android & iPhone ➜

Conclusion

YouTube TV family sharing is a great way to watch live TV with your family members as long as they meet certain requirements. So if you are planning to watch live TV with your family members, YouTube TV family sharing is a great option for joining a budget streaming option.