Yes, YouTube TV lets you record games, and the recordings stay in your library until you delete them
YouTube TV includes a cloud DVR feature that records programs to your account's library instead of to a device. When you record a game, it appears in a "Library" or "Recordings" section where you can watch it anytime, on any device where you're signed in. The recording stays there indefinitely unless YouTube TV's storage limits force older content out, or you manually delete it.
The DVR works automatically for most users — you don't need to buy extra hardware or pay an add-on fee. If you have a YouTube TV membership, you already have access to recording. The main limitation is that some live sports events are subject to blackout rules or licensing restrictions that prevent recording, though this is less common than it once was.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV's cloud DVR records games to your online library at no extra cost, and recordings persist until you delete them or storage limits remove older ones.
- You record a game by selecting it in the guide or search results and choosing "Record" — no setup or scheduling required.
- Recorded games are available on all your devices (phone, tablet, TV, computer) as long as you're signed into the same YouTube TV account.
- Some live sports events cannot be recorded due to licensing or blackout restrictions, and YouTube TV will show "Not available to record" if that applies.
- YouTube TV does not limit the number of recordings you can make, but very old recordings may be removed if the service needs storage space.
How to record a game on YouTube TV
Open YouTube TV on any device and find the game in the guide or search for it by name. When you see the game listed, select it to open the details page. You'll see a "Record" button or option — tap or click it. The game is now queued to record, and YouTube TV will capture it automatically when it airs.
If the game is already live when you record it, YouTube TV begins recording from that moment forward — it does not go back and capture what already aired. If you want the full game, record it before it starts. After the game finishes airing, the recording appears in your Library within a few minutes.
Where to find your recorded games
Recorded games appear in your Library, which you access from the YouTube TV home screen. On a TV, look for a "Library" or "Saved" tab in the main menu. On a phone or tablet, tap the menu icon and select "Library." On a computer, the Library link appears in the left sidebar.
Your library shows all your recordings organized by type — sports, shows, movies — and by date. You can search for a specific game by team name, sport, or date. Recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account, so you see the same library on every device you sign into.
How long YouTube TV keeps your recordings
YouTube TV does not delete recordings on a set schedule. Recordings stay in your library until you manually delete them or until YouTube TV's storage system removes very old content to make room for new recordings. In practice, this means most recordings persist for months or longer, though YouTube TV has not published exact storage limits or retention timelines.
If you want to keep a recording permanently, do not rely on YouTube TV's storage — read it to your device or computer if the service allows, or take note of the game details so you can find it through other means later. For important games, deleting a recording by accident is the main risk; YouTube TV does not have an "undo delete" feature.
Games that cannot be recorded
Some live sports events are blocked from recording due to licensing agreements or blackout rules. When you try to record a game that cannot be recorded, YouTube TV displays "Not available to record" instead of a Record button. This happens most often with certain regional sports networks or exclusive streaming events, though the restrictions vary by sport and league.
If a game shows as not recordable, you can still watch it live if it's available on YouTube TV at all. Check whether the game is scheduled to air again as a replay — many sports networks rebroadcast games, and replays are often recordable even if the live event is not.
Recording multiple games at once
YouTube TV's cloud DVR has no limit on the number of simultaneous recordings. If five games air at the same time and you record all five, YouTube TV records all of them. You are not restricted by the number of tuners or devices the way cable DVRs are.
The only constraint is YouTube TV's overall storage capacity, which is shared across all your recordings. If you record dozens of games every week, older recordings may eventually be removed to make room, though this is uncommon for typical users.
Watching recorded games on different devices
A recorded game is available on any device where you sign into your YouTube TV account — your TV, phone, tablet, or computer. Start watching on one device and resume on another without losing your place. YouTube TV remembers where you stopped and picks up from there.
You do not need to read the recording or transfer it between devices. As long as you have an internet connection and are signed into the same account, the recording is there. Offline viewing is not available for YouTube TV recordings, so you cannot read a game to watch without internet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a game that already started?
Yes, but you will only record from the moment you press Record onward. YouTube TV does not capture what already aired. If you want the full game, record it before it starts or check whether the network will rebroadcast it later.
What happens if I record a game and then cancel my YouTube TV membership?
Your recordings are deleted when your membership ends. YouTube TV does not let you keep recordings after you stop paying. If you want to keep a game permanently, you need to watch and save it to your device before your membership expires.
Can I share a recorded game with someone else on my account?
Recordings are part of your YouTube TV account and visible to anyone signed into that account on a shared device. However, YouTube TV's terms do not allow you to share your account credentials with people outside your household, so recordings are meant for household members only.
Does recording a game use up my internet data?
Recording does not use your internet data — YouTube TV stores the recording on its servers, not on your device. Watching the recording later uses data the same way streaming any video does, depending on your video quality settings.
Can I fast-forward through commercials in a recorded game?
Yes. Recorded games play back with full fast-forward and rewind controls. You can skip commercials, jump to specific moments, or slow down replays. YouTube TV does not restrict playback controls on recordings the way some cable providers do.