YouTube on Android TV gets “who’s watching” screen

YouTube has recently updated its app for Android TV to include a “Who’s Watching” account switcher launch screen. This feature is designed to enhance the user experience, particularly for households that share accounts. The new screen allows users to select their profiles upon launching the app, similar to how Netflix operates.

This update is part of YouTube’s ongoing efforts to improve functionality on Android TV, making it easier for users to manage multiple profiles and personalize their viewing experience. The introduction of this feature reflects a growing trend among streaming services to accommodate shared subscriptions, ensuring that each user can have a tailored experience.

It is much easier for everyone to keep track of what they want without having to disrupt the experience of an account. The new redesigned screen is not exactly new, as streaming is reusing the same account switcher in the mobile app, which can be found by tapping on the profile icon.

The released report explains that when opening the YouTube app from Android TV on an NVIDIA Shield TV Pro or some other hardware of the type, the user will be automatically logged out.

When you log in again, you’ll be able to see the “Who’s watching?” launch page to decide which account to sign in with to watch. You can also add other accounts from the menu. Below, you can see an example of how the change is currently going.

The change can be a bit annoying for users who don’t have other people to use it, as they will be forced to face this screen every time they enter. The feature seems to be gradually being implemented and may take time to arrive for everyone. If you’re looking to bypass the “Who’s Watching” screen, some users have reported that there are settings available to disable it, although this may vary depending on the device.

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