To watch YouTube TV in 4K you need the 4K Plus add-on, a 4K TV or a 4K streaming device connected with an HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI cable, and a download speed of 25 mbps or higher. Only some live and on-demand programmes are offered in 4K, and without 4K Plus those 4K versions stay locked.
People often sign up for 4K Plus, switch on a game and still see a picture that looks no sharper than before. That's nearly always one link in the chain: the device, the cable, the connection or the programme itself. Here's what each piece needs to be.
What 4K Plus adds to YouTube TV
YouTube TV's help page says the 4K Plus add-on gives you three things on the channels in your plan:
- 4K viewing on available content.
- Unlimited streams at the same time at home.
- Offline viewing of DVR recordings for available content, on mobile devices only.
It also says some add-on networks include these features on their own, so you may already have 4K on those networks. To check, go to Settings and then 4K for networks offering 4K, Settings and then Downloads for offline recordings, and Settings and then Screen Limits.
Devices that can play YouTube TV in 4K
| Type | Supported devices YouTube TV lists |
|---|---|
| 4K smart TVs | 4K Android TV models such as Sony Bravia; Samsung, LG and Hisense 4K smart TVs from 2019 or later |
| 4K streaming devices | Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer, 4K Roku devices, Apple TV 4K (2021), Amazon Fire 4K Stick (1st Gen, 2018), Nvidia Shield |
YouTube TV notes that on Apple TV and PS4 Pro, 4K is only available on select content, and some programmes may have lower quality or rebuffer.
How to find programmes in 4K
- Look for the 4K icon when you're browsing YouTube TV.
- Search for 4K to see every available 4K channel and programme.
- Open the Live tab to see channels showing 4K programmes over the next 10 days. A channel only appears there if it has something coming up in 4K.
- On a programme, press the Down arrow below the title to expand the info panel and check whether a 4K version exists.
You'll know it's working when you see 4K on the quality selector in the video player.
Why YouTube TV isn't showing in 4K
YouTube TV's troubleshooting list covers the usual causes:
- Device: you need a 4K streaming device connected to a 4K TV, or a 4K smart TV from the supported list.
- Cable: use an HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI cable between the streaming device and the TV.
- Speed: your download speed needs to be 25 mbps or higher. If it isn't, the video plays in HD or SD.
- Quality selector: check it's set to 4K in the player.
- The programme: only certain live and on-demand programmes are offered in 4K, so an ordinary channel won't upgrade itself.
If the picture keeps dropping in quality or pausing, the connection is the first place to look, and I've gathered the fixes YouTube TV recommends for buffering.
How to test 4K on your TV
YouTube TV has a built-in test, which is the quickest way to tell whether your setup is the problem or the programme is:
- Open the YouTube TV app on your TV device.
- Select the icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Under Add to membership, find 4K Plus in the list of add-on networks.
- Select Preview a 4K video to play the test clip.
If the preview plays in 4K but a programme doesn't, the programme simply isn't offered in 4K. If the preview doesn't, the device, cable or connection is the weak link. YouTube TV also says you can check Stats for Nerds to confirm whether it's sending 4K.
A quick 4K checklist before the big game
If you're setting up for a specific event, run through this the day before rather than at kick-off:
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- Confirm 4K Plus shows on your membership, or that the add-on network you're watching includes 4K.
- Check the Live tab to make sure the programme is listed in 4K.
- Check your TV or streaming device is on YouTube TV's supported list.
- Swap in an HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI cable if you're not sure about the one you're using.
- Run Preview a 4K video and watch for 4K on the quality selector.
Doing it a day early gives you time to swap a cable or move the streaming stick to a different HDMI port without missing anything.
Recordings and multiple screens
4K Plus also changes how many people at home can watch at the same time, and lets you watch some recordings offline on a phone or tablet. If you record a lot, my guide to recording on YouTube TV and how long recordings last covers the DVR side.
My advice
Run the Preview a 4K video test before you blame anything else. It quickly tells you whether your TV, cable and connection are up to it. Then use the Live tab to plan around the programmes that are offered in 4K, because that's where the add-on proves its worth. If most of what you watch isn't on that list, the unlimited home streams may matter more to your household than the picture.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need 4K Plus to watch YouTube TV in 4K?
Yes, for most channels. YouTube TV says 4K videos are locked by default without the 4K Plus add-on, although some add-on networks include 4K on their own.
What internet speed do I need for YouTube TV 4K?
YouTube TV says your download speed needs to be 25 mbps or higher to watch in 4K.
Why does YouTube TV 4K look like HD?
Usually the device, cable or connection doesn't meet the requirements, or the programme isn't offered in 4K. In those cases it plays in HD or SD.
How do I find 4K channels on YouTube TV?
Look for the 4K icon, search for 4K, or check the Live tab for channels showing 4K programmes over the next 10 days.
Can I test whether my TV supports YouTube TV 4K?
Yes. In the YouTube TV app, select the icon in the top-right corner, find 4K Plus under Add to membership and choose Preview a 4K video.
