YouTube TV lets you record shows, but with limits

Yes, you can record shows on YouTube TV. The service includes a cloud DVR that stores your recordings online instead of on a box or hard drive. When you record a show, it stays in your library for up to nine months, and you can watch it whenever you want on any device where you're signed in.

The catch is that YouTube TV limits how much you can record at once. Your account comes with 100 hours of storage space for recordings. Once you hit that limit, the oldest recordings automatically delete to make room for new ones — unless you delete them yourself first. This is different from some cable DVRs, which let you record as much as your hard drive holds.

Recording is included in your YouTube TV membership at no extra cost. You don't need to do anything to turn it on — the feature is already active on your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You record a show by clicking the record button on its details page or in the guide, and it saves to your library automatically.
  • Recordings stay available for nine months, then disappear whether you've watched them or not.
  • Your account holds 100 hours of recordings total, and older ones delete automatically when you exceed that limit.
  • You can record the same show every time it airs, and YouTube TV will keep all episodes until storage fills up or nine months pass.
  • Recordings work on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices — anywhere you can sign into YouTube TV.

How to record a show or movie

Open YouTube TV on any device and find the show or movie you want to record. On the details page or in the guide listing, you'll see a record button — it usually looks like a circle or a plus sign next to the show title. Tap or click it once.

That's the whole process. The show is now set to record. If it's a series, you have the option to record just that one episode or the entire series going forward. If you choose to record the series, YouTube TV will automatically record new episodes as they air, up until you stop the recording or your storage fills up.

You can also record directly from the live guide. When you're watching the guide and see a show coming up, click the record button next to it without opening the full details page.

Where to find your recordings

All your recordings appear in the Library section of YouTube TV. Open the app or website, look for the Library tab or menu option, and you'll see a list of everything you've recorded, organized by show name or date depending on your device.

Tap or click any recording to watch it. You can start watching, pause, rewind, and fast-forward just like you would with a live show. If you're in the middle of watching and switch devices, YouTube TV remembers where you stopped, so you can pick up where you left off on your phone, tablet, or TV.

What happens when you run out of storage

Your 100 hours of storage is shared across your entire account. If you record a lot of shows, you'll eventually fill it up. When that happens, YouTube TV automatically deletes your oldest recordings to make room for new ones. The system doesn't ask permission — it just removes them.

If you want to keep a recording and you're running low on space, delete other recordings you don't need. You can delete a recording by opening it in your Library, clicking the menu (usually three dots), and selecting delete. This frees up space when ready.

The nine-month expiration also applies regardless of storage. Even if you have room left, any recording older than nine months will disappear. This is a YouTube TV policy and can't be changed.

Recording limits and restrictions

YouTube TV doesn't limit how many shows you can record at the same time — you can record multiple programs simultaneously without any slowdown. The only real limit is the 100-hour storage cap and the nine-month window.

Some shows and movies may not be available to record due to licensing agreements with networks or studios. If a show can't be recorded, the record button won't appear on its details page. In those cases, you can only watch the show when it airs live or through on-demand options if the network offers them.

Sports events, breaking news, and special broadcasts can usually be recorded the same way as regular shows, though a few live events may have restrictions. If you're unsure whether a specific program can be recorded, check its details page — if there's no record button, it's not available.

Recording across devices and sharing

Your recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account, not to a specific device. This means you can record on your phone and watch on your TV, or record on a computer and watch on a tablet. As long as you're signed into the same account, you have access to all your recordings everywhere.

If multiple people use the same YouTube TV account, they all see the same library and can record shows. If you have a family plan with separate profiles, each profile can have its own recording preferences, but the storage space is still shared across the whole account.

You cannot read recordings to keep them permanently after the nine-month window closes. Recordings only exist in YouTube TV's cloud system, so once they expire or you delete them, they're gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a show that's already aired?

No, you can only record shows going forward from the moment you set the recording. If a show already aired and you missed it, check whether the network offers it on-demand through YouTube TV or another streaming service. Some networks make recent episodes available for a limited time.

What if I record a series and then cancel YouTube TV?

Your recordings disappear when your membership ends. YouTube TV stores recordings in the cloud, so they're only available while you're subscribed. If you resubscribe later, your old recordings won't come back.

Do I need internet to watch a recording?

Yes, recordings are stored online, not on your device. You need an active internet connection to stream them, even though they're already recorded. You cannot read them for offline viewing.

Can I record the same episode twice by accident?

If you record a series, YouTube TV is smart enough not to record the same episode twice. If an episode airs in reruns, it will record each airing separately, so you may end up with duplicates if you want to avoid them.

What if a recording fails or doesn't save?

This is rare, but if a recording doesn't save, check your internet connection and make sure your account wasn't suspended. If the show aired and the recording still didn't work, try recording it again if it airs in reruns. Contact YouTube TV support if the problem keeps happening.