How to Add People to YouTube TV: A Complete Guide

Adding family members or roommates to your YouTube TV subscription is a brilliant way to share the cord-cutting joy and split the cost. It’s simpler than you might think, and this guide will walk you through every step with the precision of a seasoned streaming veteran.

Adding people to your YouTube TV plan is done through Family Sharing. Essentially, you, as the plan’s administrator (or “family manager”), invite members of your Google Family Group to join your YouTube TV subscription. These individuals gain access to all the perks of your YouTube TV account, including live TV, on-demand content, and DVR storage, all under their own Google accounts.

Here’s the streamlined process:

1. Become the Family Manager: If you haven’t already, set up a Google Family Group. If you’re the one managing the YouTube TV subscription, you likely already are.
2. Navigate to Account Settings: Open YouTube TV in a web browser (it’s often easiest to manage this on a computer). Click on your profile picture in the top right corner. Select “Settings”.
3. Access Family Sharing: In the Settings menu, click on “Family Sharing”.
4. Invite Family Members: You’ll see an option to “Manage.” This allows you to manage existing members or invite new ones. Click “Invite Family Member.”
5. Enter Google Account Email: Enter the email address associated with the Google account of the person you want to add. They must have a Google account.
6. Send the Invitation: A confirmation box will appear. Review the details and click “Send.”
7. Accept the Invitation: The invited person will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation to join your Google Family Group. They must click this link and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
8. Confirmation: Once they’ve accepted, they’ll appear as a member of your Google Family Group within YouTube TV’s Family Sharing settings. They can then access YouTube TV using their own Google account credentials.

It’s that straightforward! No more password sharing (which, by the way, violates YouTube TV’s terms of service and can lead to account suspension). Everyone gets their own personalized experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about adding people to your YouTube TV subscription:

Can I add people who live outside my household to my YouTube TV account?

Officially, no. YouTube TV’s terms of service stipulate that family members must reside in the same household. The service uses IP addresses and other location data to enforce this. While it might work temporarily, YouTube TV actively monitors accounts and could restrict access for users who are not within the designated service area. This is a key consideration!

How many people can I add to my YouTube TV family group?

You can add up to five family members to your Google Family Group, which translates to five people who can share your YouTube TV subscription in addition to yourself (the family manager). That makes a total of six users.

What if the person I want to add already has a YouTube TV subscription?

They’ll need to cancel their existing YouTube TV subscription before accepting your invitation to join your Family Group. YouTube TV doesn’t allow a single Google account to be associated with multiple subscriptions simultaneously. After canceling, allow the billing cycle to complete, then accept the invitation.

Does everyone in the family group have access to my Google account and personal information?

Absolutely not. Each family member uses their own Google account to access YouTube TV. As the family manager, you can see who is in your family group, but you do not have access to their personal Google account information, like their emails, search history, or other Google services data. Privacy is maintained.

What happens if I remove someone from my Google Family Group?

If you remove someone from your Google Family Group, they will lose access to YouTube TV and other shared Google services, like Google One storage (if you’re sharing it). They will receive a notification that they’ve been removed.

Can I change the family manager of my YouTube TV account?

Yes, but it’s not easily done. To change the Family Manager, you first need to leave the Family Group. Then, another adult member of the group can become the Family Manager. Leaving the Family Group means you’ll lose access to any shared services (including YouTube TV) unless you are re-invited. Tread carefully here.

What are the age restrictions for adding someone to YouTube TV?

To be added to a Google Family Group, individuals must be 13 years of age or older (or the applicable age of consent in their country). For children under 13, you can create a supervised Google account for them managed through Google’s Family Link service, but YouTube TV access will be limited and require parental controls.

Can family members create their own profiles within YouTube TV?

Yes! Each family member can create their own individual profile within YouTube TV. This allows them to personalize their watchlists, recommendations, and DVR recordings. It’s like having separate accounts, but all under one shared subscription. This is a major benefit for a smooth viewing experience for everyone.

How does DVR storage work with Family Sharing on YouTube TV?

The DVR storage is shared among all members of the Family Group. There is a generous amount of storage space provided, so it’s rarely an issue, but it’s worth being mindful of what’s being recorded. A family member’s recording will take away available space for another family member.

Can I control what content my family members can watch on YouTube TV?

Yes, to some extent. While YouTube TV doesn’t offer granular parental controls like individual channel blocking (beyond marking channels as inappropriate for kids’ profiles), you can leverage the built-in parental controls offered by Google Family Link for younger viewers using supervised accounts. Remember, though, these controls are linked to Google accounts, not directly within the YouTube TV app for adult profiles.

I’m having trouble adding someone. What should I do?

First, ensure that the person you’re trying to add has a valid Google account. Double-check the email address you entered for any typos. Also, make sure they haven’t already been invited to another Google Family Group. Finally, ensure they are in your household. If the issue persists, contact YouTube TV support.

Is there a limit to how many devices can stream YouTube TV at the same time within a family group?

YouTube TV allows for three simultaneous streams per account. This means that three different devices can be streaming YouTube TV content at the same time across your family group. If you exceed this limit, you’ll receive an error message. Plan accordingly, especially during peak viewing hours.

Adding people to your YouTube TV account is a fantastic way to maximize your subscription’s value and share the entertainment. By following these steps and understanding the limitations, you can create a seamless and enjoyable streaming experience for your entire household. Happy viewing!