Yes, YouTube TV lets you record programs, and the recordings stay in your library indefinitely

YouTube TV includes a cloud DVR feature that records programs to your account so you can watch them later. When you record a show, it saves to a personal library that you access from any device where you're signed in. Unlike a traditional DVR box that stores recordings on a physical hard drive, your YouTube TV recordings live on Google's servers, so there's no storage limit and no equipment to maintain.

The recordings don't expire—they stay in your library as long as your YouTube TV membership is active. If you cancel your subscription, your recordings disappear along with it. But while you're a member, you can record as many programs as you want without worrying about running out of space.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV's cloud DVR stores unlimited recordings in your account library, accessible from any device where you're signed in.
  • You can record a single episode, an entire series, or set up automatic recording for future seasons of a show.
  • Recordings remain in your library indefinitely as long as your YouTube TV membership is active.
  • You manage all recordings from the "Library" tab on the YouTube TV app or website, where you can delete individual episodes or entire series.
  • Some programs may have restrictions that prevent recording, though this is uncommon with YouTube TV's channel lineup.

How to record a single episode or entire series

To record a program on YouTube TV, open the show's details page and look for a record button—it looks like a circle with a dot inside. Tap or click it, and YouTube TV will record that episode. If you want to record every episode of a series, including future ones, select the option to record the entire series instead of just one episode.

You can also set up recording from the TV guide. Find the program in the guide, select it, and choose the record option. YouTube TV will ask whether you want to record just that episode or the whole series. Once you confirm, the recording starts automatically at the scheduled air time, even if you're not watching.

Where to find and manage your recordings

All your recordings appear in the Library tab on YouTube TV. Open the app or website, select Library, and you'll see a section for recorded programs organized by show name. Tap any recording to play it, or swipe left (on mobile) or hover over it (on web) to see options like delete or remove series.

If you recorded an entire series, YouTube TV groups all episodes together. You can delete individual episodes without removing the whole series from your library, or delete the entire series at once. Deleting a recording frees up nothing—since recordings are stored in the cloud, deletion just removes it from your view.

Recording restrictions and what you should know

YouTube TV rarely restricts recording, but some programs 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. This is uncommon, and most live TV and on-demand content can be recorded without issue.

Recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account, not to a specific device. If you record a show on your phone, you can watch that recording on your TV, tablet, or computer—as long as you're signed into the same account. If someone else in your household has their own YouTube TV profile, they have their own separate library of recordings.

Watching your recordings across devices

Once a program is recorded, you can watch it on any device where YouTube TV is installed and you're signed in. This includes phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV, and gaming consoles. Start watching on one device and resume on another—YouTube TV remembers where you stopped.

You can also read recordings to watch offline on the YouTube TV mobile app (available on iOS and Android). Open a recording, tap the read icon, and it saves to your phone or tablet. Downloaded recordings are only available on that device and expire after a set period, typically 30 days, so they're useful for travel or when you know you won't have internet access.

Automatic recording for new seasons and future episodes

When you record an entire series, YouTube TV automatically records new episodes as they air, including episodes from future seasons if the show continues. You don't have to do anything after you set up the initial recording—new episodes appear in your library automatically.

If you want to stop recording a series, go to your Library, find the show, and select the option to remove the series. This stops future recordings but doesn't delete episodes you've already recorded. You can also manage which shows record automatically by visiting your YouTube TV settings and checking the "Recordings" or "Library" section.

Storage and how many programs you can record

YouTube TV doesn't limit how many programs you can record. You can record hundreds of shows, entire seasons, or years of a daily program without hitting a storage cap. The cloud DVR handles all the storage on Google's servers, so you never have to worry about your device running out of space.

The only practical limit is your own patience in managing the library. If you record dozens of shows, your Library tab can become crowded. Delete recordings you've watched or no longer want to keep your library organized and straightforward to browse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record live TV while watching a different channel?

Yes. YouTube TV records programs in the cloud, so recording doesn't use up a tuner on your device the way a traditional DVR does. You can watch one channel while multiple programs record simultaneously in the background.

What happens to my recordings if I pause my YouTube TV membership?

Recordings are only available while your membership is active. If you pause or cancel your subscription, you lose access to your library. If you reactivate later, your old recordings don't come back—you'd need to record them again.

Can I share my recordings with someone outside my household?

No. Recordings are private to your YouTube TV account. People on your account can see and watch your recordings, but someone with a different account or no YouTube TV membership cannot access them.

Do I need to do anything special to record sports games or live events?

No. Record sports and live events the same way you record any other program—tap the record button on the event's details page. YouTube TV records the entire broadcast, including commercials, so you can watch it later from the beginning.

Can I record programs that are already available on-demand?

Yes, you can record on-demand content, but it's usually unnecessary. If a show is available on-demand through YouTube TV, you can watch it anytime without recording. Recording is most useful for live broadcasts that won't be available later or for programs you want to keep in your library permanently.