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How long can you use YouTube TV on the go? What you need to know
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How long can you use YouTube TV on the go? What you need to know

Key findings

  • To ensure the accuracy of local channels, YouTube TV requires users to log in at home every 90 days.
  • If you miss the 90-day check-in, local channels may update to your current location during travel.
  • Users can manually update their home location twice a year to avoid channel access issues while traveling.



One of the many advantages of Live TV streaming services like for example YouTube TV is that you can take your cable connection and all of its personalized elements with you on the go. It’s never been easier to access your DVR-recorded shows and movies from anywhere.

However, YouTube TV needs to know where you are in order to provide you with the correct local channels. With that comes the need to make sure you’re using your account correctly and not having access to channels you may not be in the right place for. So the question is: how long is too long to be away from home for YouTube TV?

YouTube TV

Simultaneous streams
3

Number of profiles
6

Live TV
Yes

Price
Starts at $73/month

Free trial
Yes, length varies

The 90-day rule

Not just for reality TV fiancés.

YouTube on an iPhone held in front of a pink and purple background.

Szabo Viktor / Unsplash / Pocket-lint


Google recommends using YouTube TV in your home region at least once every three months. For baseball fans, that number drops to one month, as MLB viewership restrictions can be particularly strict depending on your region. If you log in from home at least once during those three months, you can continue to use your home networks without any issues.

Now, you might be wondering what would happen if you didn’t. The answer is that you’ll probably get local channels based on where you are when YouTube TV checks your location. There aren’t really any dire consequences for not signing up, unless you’re desperate to keep up with your local TV channels. This is especially true if you like to record local programming, since having the channels disappear from your YouTube TV account will mess that up. And if you’re wondering how that compares to other cable alternatives in terms of duration and consequences, there are a few differences. Hulu + Live TV, for example, requires you to sign up every 30 days, and if you don’t, the service will be interrupted. If you travel a lot, this is one benefit of YouTube TV to keep in mind.


It’s worth noting that this all applies to domestic travel. When it comes to international travel, you’re absolutely out of luck. You won’t be able to use YouTube TV at all. While that’s unfortunate, maintaining your cable subscription while traveling abroad hopefully shouldn’t be an issue you have to worry about too much. It’s worth noting, however, that if you’re unable to use your YouTube TV subscription for an extended period of time, you may want to consider pause to save money .

What to do when your location is updated

Accidents happen and are easy to fix.


For example, let’s say you’re traveling and for some reason you can’t meet the 90-day check-in window. You can check in four days later, but your channels will already have been updated to your travel location. The problem is easy to fix with a few clicks. Plus, you have to be home.

  1. Go to the YouTube TV website
  2. Select your profile photo and then click Location.
  3. Next to the Home area Click on Update.

You can follow roughly the same steps on the Android and iOS versions of the YouTube TV app. Once you set your home area back to your actual home, you’ll have another 90 days before YouTube TV will attempt to update it.

You can only manually update your home location twice a year.


While the whole thing is a little tricky, especially for users who travel frequently, ultimately it doesn’t matter much if you don’t want to access your local channels. If your main concern is national networks of any kind, you can use YouTube TV on domestic trips with complete peace of mind.

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