If you’re a user of YouTube TV, you might be wondering whether you can watch your favorite shows using the same membership subscription in more than one location. This is particularly important when you change locations and still want to watch and record your preferred networks. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the intricacies of YouTube TV’s Home Area feature and provide you with all the information you need to know about using YouTube TV in multiple locations.
Understanding YouTube TV’s Home Area
When setting up your YouTube TV subscription, you are required to set your Home Area. The Home Area determines the local TV networks you have access to. YouTube TV wants to know where you spend the most time watching their service, so you can set your Home Area by entering your home zip code or granting permission for the app to access your device’s GPS location. If you sign up with an existing Google account that has a registered address, the app will automatically pick the zip code associated with that address.
YouTube TV uses this information to connect your account to the local channels in your Home Area. However, when you leave your Home Area location, you won’t be able to watch those local channels and may encounter the “Outside Your Home Area” error.
Traveling Outside of Your Home Area
When you travel outside of your Home Area, there are a few things to keep in mind. You will only be able to watch local programs from your new location, and you won’t be able to record any programs in the new location. However, for sports programs that are aired over affiliate networks, you can still watch the same games in your new location as in your Home Area, as long as they are available on affiliate networks. However, you won’t be able to record these games.
Changing Your Home Area
If you need to change your Home Area, you can do so, but with some limitations. You can only change your Home Area twice a year, and you need to be physically present in the location you want to select as your new Home Area in order to make the change. Additionally, you need to use YouTube TV at least once every three months in your current Home Area to continue receiving and recording the local networks.
To change your Home Area, follow these steps:
- Open the YouTube TV app.
- Select your profile photo.
- Choose “Location.”
- Select “Home Area.”
- Click “Update Home Area.”
Troubleshooting the “Outside Your Home Area” Error
Some YouTube TV users have reported receiving the “Outside Your Home Area” error even when they haven’t left their set Home Area. This error is particularly common on Smart TVs and Android TVs and started after Google made changes to their verification structure. To resolve this error, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Select “Apps and Notifications.”
- Choose “YouTube TV” and select “Permissions.”
- Confirm that YouTube TV is allowed to access your location.
- If necessary, repeat steps 1-3 and select “Location” instead of “Apps and Notifications.”
- Ensure that YouTube TV is allowed access to your location.
After completing these steps, log into your account at tv.youtube.com/verify and follow the prompts to verify your location. Alternatively, you can open the YouTube TV app on your phone, select your profile photo, choose “Location,” and select “Update” at the current playback area to re-register your location.
Watching YouTube TV in Multiple Locations
The good news is that you can use your YouTube TV account in multiple locations. However, there are some limitations. While you can watch YouTube TV in multiple locations, you won’t be able to record programs in locations other than your Home Area. It’s important to note that the term “location” refers to your current geographical location and can be updated as many times as you change location.
To update your location on your TV:
- Open the YouTube TV app.
- Select your profile photo.
- Choose “Location.”
- Select “Update” at the current playback area.
After updating your location on your TV, open tv.youtube.com/verify on your mobile device and allow access to your device’s location when prompted. If you’re using the YouTube TV app or a web browser, follow these steps to update your location:
- Open YouTube TV.
- Select your profile photo.
- Choose “Location.”
- Select “Update” at the current playback area.
Updating your location will allow you to watch the local networks in your new location. Failure to update your location may result in the “Outside Your Home Area” error.
Watching YouTube TV in Multiple Houses
Yes, you can watch YouTube TV in two different houses. Whether the houses are in different states or not, users only need to sign into their registered accounts and update their locations as described earlier. As long as the accounts are added under the main subscription account, up to five family members can use the subscription from different locations, including another state.
YouTube TV offers a convenient feature for sharing your membership subscription with family members. You can allow up to five family members, apart from yourself, to use your subscription. These family members can use the subscription from anywhere, even in another state. However, there are some terms and conditions to keep in mind:
- The family members cannot be part of more than one family group.
- The family members must primarily live in the same country that the Family Manager (you) has set as the Home Area.
- The family members need to use YouTube TV in the Home Area location at least once every three months (90 days). Failure to do so will result in the loss of access to the subscription, and they will need to get an individual subscription.
To create a family group and share your YouTube TV subscription with family members, follow these steps:
- Sign in to YouTube TV.
- Select your profile picture.
- Choose “Settings.”
- Select “Family Sharing.”
- Click “Manage.”
- Create a Google family group by adding family members using their Google Accounts.
- Check the box to agree to the YouTube Paid Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy.
- Select “Next.”
Your family members will receive an email invitation to join the group using their Google Accounts. Remember that all family members must use YouTube TV in the Home Area you’ve set at least once every three months to maintain access to the shared subscription.
Watching YouTube TV Outside Your Home Area
Yes, you can watch YouTube TV outside your Home Area. To do so, you need to sign in to your account and update your location, as explained earlier. However, there are some restrictions to be aware of:
- You will not be able to watch the same local networks as in your Home Area, with the exception of sports programs that are available in regions other than your Home Area.
- You will not be able to record programs when you’re outside your Home Area.
- You need to use YouTube TV at least once every three months in your Home Area to maintain access to the subscription.
Watching YouTube TV in Multiple Locations Simultaneously
Contrary to the physical impossibility of being in multiple locations at the same time, you can use your YouTube TV subscription in multiple locations simultaneously. However, there are some caveats to keep in mind:
- Each subscription can have up to six accounts tied to it. All six users can watch from wherever they are at the same time.
- Each account is allowed to stream on up to three devices simultaneously. This means each user can stream on three devices at a time.
- The local networks available to each user depend on their respective locations.
- Only the user in the Home Area location can record live programs.
As long as you adhere to these limitations, you can enjoy streaming YouTube TV in multiple locations at the same time.
Do You Need Multiple YouTube TV Accounts for Multiple Locations?
No, you don’t need multiple YouTube TV accounts to watch in multiple locations. You only need one membership subscription account to access YouTube TV. However, users in different locations will need to sign in with their individual accounts that are added under the main subscription account. Each account can have up to three devices streaming simultaneously.
