YouTube has rolled out two major updates for Android users: Multiview on YouTube TV and a redesigned Cast menu on YouTube Music.
First reported by 9to5Google, the Multiview feature was introduced as a preview in March 2023 for smart TVs and streaming devices. It has seen gradual adoption, particularly among NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers. YouTube already expanded this functionality to iOS and iPadOS users last month.
With the Multiview feature, Android users can now watch up to four pre-selected live streams simultaneously on their phones and tablets. While Multiview was previously announced for televisions earlier this year, its availability remains limited.
Multiview has a significant advantage over other technologies as it efficiently processes data on YouTube’s servers, rather than relying on high-powered equipment on users’ devices. To experience uninterrupted streaming, users should ensure that their YouTube TV app is updated with the latest 8.17 version.
However, users are still disappointed as Multiview primarily focuses on sports content at this stage.
Accessing Multiview on Android devices is simple, with users finding it in the ‘Home’ tab. Upon launch, users can tap on their desired live stream to activate audio, indicated by a while highlighted confirming the selection.
In addition to Multiview, YouTube Music for Android is also receiving an update with a redesigned Cast menu. Previously, initiating a cast session would open a ‘Cast to‘ box in the centre of the screen, followed by a separate UI displaying full cover art once the session began.
As noted by 9to5Google, the new Cast UI simplifies this process by presenting a sheet with rounded corners. It features a ‘Suggested‘ section at the top and a list of available devices below. Notably, the ‘Stop Casting‘ button has been replaced with a tap on ‘This phone,’ offering a smoother transition between casting and local playback.
This also means that users must go through a two-stage process to stop YouTube Music. Moreover, Google has removed the Play/Pause button, and users must access Now Playing or system controls to start or stop the music.
The Cast UI is already available on iOS, and version 6.49 is now available for Android users.
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