Yes, YouTube TV includes a cloud DVR feature built into every account

YouTube TV's cloud DVR lets you record programs and watch them later. Unlike a traditional DVR box, your recordings live on YouTube's servers, not a hard drive in your home. You can record as many shows as you want, and they stay available for up to nine months after you record them.

The DVR works automatically for most shows. When you mark a program to record, YouTube TV saves it to your personal library. You can then watch it on any device where you're signed into your account — your TV, phone, tablet, or computer. There's no extra cost; the DVR feature comes with your YouTube TV membership.

Key Takeaways

  • Every YouTube TV account includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra charge.
  • Recordings stay available for nine months from the date you record them, then they automatically delete.
  • You can record a show one time or set it to record every episode automatically.
  • Recorded shows appear in your library and sync across all your devices.
  • Some live events and programs may have recording restrictions set by the network or broadcaster.

How to record a single show or movie

To record one episode, find the program in the YouTube TV guide or search results. Press the record button — it looks like a circle with a dot inside. The button will turn blue or show a checkmark, confirming the recording is set. YouTube TV will record that episode when it airs and save it to your library.

You can also record a show that's already airing or one that airs in the future. The process is the same: locate it and tap the record button. If you're watching live and want to save what you're currently watching, you can record it mid-broadcast, and YouTube TV will capture it from that point forward.

Setting up automatic recording for entire series

To record every new episode of a show automatically, find the program title (not just a single episode) and select the record button next to the series name. YouTube TV will then record each new episode as it airs. This is useful for shows you watch regularly but don't want to remember to record manually.

You can manage your series recordings from your library. If you change your mind, you can stop recording future episodes at any time. Past episodes you've already recorded will stay in your library until they expire or you delete them manually.

Where to find and watch your recordings

Your recorded shows appear in the Library section of YouTube TV. Open the app or website, tap or click Library, and you'll see all your saved recordings organized by show name. You can also search for a specific recording using the search bar at the top of the screen.

Tap or click any recording to start watching. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward just like you would with a live broadcast. If you're watching on one device and switch to another, YouTube TV remembers where you stopped, so you can pick up where you left off.

Understanding the nine-month expiration and deletion

Recordings automatically delete nine months after the date you recorded them. This is a limit set by YouTube TV to manage storage. The nine months gives you a long window to watch most shows, but it's not permanent storage. If you have a recording you want to keep longer, you need to watch it or delete it manually before the nine-month window closes.

YouTube TV sends you a notification before a recording expires, so you'll know it's about to be deleted. You can also manually delete any recording from your library at any time if you want to free up space or remove a show you no longer want.

Restrictions on what you can record

Most programs on YouTube TV can be recorded, but some have restrictions. Live sports events, pay-per-view broadcasts, and certain premium content may not be recordable. Networks and broadcasters set these restrictions, not YouTube TV. If a show can't be recorded, the record button will be grayed out or won't appear.

If you try to record something and the button doesn't work, it means that particular program or network has blocked recording. In those cases, you can only watch the show when it airs live or during any on-demand window the network provides.

Recording on different devices

You can set up recordings on any device where you use YouTube TV — your phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV. The recordings themselves are stored in the cloud, so it doesn't matter which device you use to record. Once you record something, it's available on all your devices.

If you're away from home, you can still record shows using the YouTube TV app on your phone or the website on your computer. Your recordings will be waiting in your library when you get back, and you can watch them on your TV or any other device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record multiple shows at the same time?

Yes. Unlike a traditional DVR with a limited number of tuners, YouTube TV's cloud DVR can record as many shows as you want simultaneously. You're not limited by the number of programs airing at once.

What happens if I cancel my YouTube TV membership?

Your recordings are tied to your active membership. If you cancel, your library and all recorded shows are deleted. If you resubscribe later, your old recordings won't come back.

Can I read recordings to watch offline?

No. YouTube TV recordings are only available when you're connected to the internet and signed into your account. You cannot read them to your device for offline viewing.

Do I need extra storage space for recordings?

No. Recordings are stored on YouTube's servers, not on your device. You don't need to worry about running out of space on your phone, tablet, or TV.

Can I share my recordings with other people in my household?

Recordings are personal to your YouTube TV account. Other people in your household can watch them if they're signed into your account on a shared device, but they can't access your library from their own accounts.