One of the best features of YouTube TV is the ability to share it with up to 5 other people. The catch is these people are supposed to live with you in the same house. For years, though, YouTube TV has been very relaxed in how it enforces these rules, but that may be about to change.
Recently, several readers have reported that their accounts have been locked out, and even having the main account holder delete them and add them back to the shared account has not fixed the issue. A quick look around online also finds some complaints of this on Reddit.
Here is how YouTube TV describes the rules for YouTube TV’s family sharing:
To join a family group, you must:
- Be age 13 or older and have a Google Account
- Live in the same household as the family manager
- Not be part of another family group
Location requirements work the same if you’re sharing your YouTube TV membership with a family group. The family manager sets the home area, and each family member must primarily live in the same household.
Family group members need to periodically use YouTube TV in your home location to keep access. Otherwise, the family manager will have to change the home location. If the family manager can’t change the home location, family group members must get an individual membership.
Now, you can travel with YouTube TV and use it outside of your home, but YouTube says the device needs to connect to your home network every three months, or you may be locked out.
Over the years, YouTube TV has been very relaxed in how it enforces these rules. Earlier this year, a handful of YouTube TV subscribers who abused this system reported being locked out. Many speculated at that time that YouTube TV was testing this system as it got ready for NFL Sunday Ticket.
It is unknown how many people are sharing their YouTube TV accounts with people who do not live with them. With the high cost of its NFL Sunday Ticket deal, it is very possible that YouTube TV would want to block access to it for people who are not paying for the service and don’t live with the main account holder.
Cord Cutters News has reached out to Google for comment and will update this story when we learn more.