YouTube TV's Library feature saves shows automatically

YouTube TV records shows for you without any setup required. When you mark a show as a favorite or add it to your library, the service automatically records new episodes as they air and stores them for you to watch later. You do not need to schedule recordings manually the way you would with a traditional DVR.

The recordings stay in your library for nine months from the air date. After nine months, YouTube TV deletes them to make room for new content. If you want to keep a show permanently, you can purchase it through YouTube's store instead, but the library feature is included with your YouTube TV membership at no extra cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Add any show to your library and YouTube TV automatically records all new episodes going forward.
  • Recorded shows appear in your Library tab and stay available for nine months from their air date.
  • You can watch recordings on any device signed into your YouTube TV account, including phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs.
  • Removing a show from your library stops future recordings but does not delete episodes you have already watched.
  • YouTube TV does not let you record individual episodes or set recording limits — the service records all new episodes of any show in your library.

How to add a show to your library

Open YouTube TV on any device and find the show you want to record. You can search for it using the search icon, browse the guide, or find it in a category. Once you locate the show's page, look for a plus sign or heart icon near the title. Tap or click that icon to add the show to your library.

YouTube TV will now record all new episodes of that show automatically. You will see a confirmation message saying the show has been added. The next time a new episode airs, it will record and appear in your Library tab within a few minutes of the broadcast ending.

Where to find your recorded shows

Open the YouTube TV app or website and tap or click the Library tab at the bottom of the screen (on mobile) or the left side (on computers and smart TVs). Your library shows all the programs you have added, organized by show name. Tap or click any show to see all recorded episodes.

Episodes appear in reverse order, with the newest at the top. A small clock icon next to an episode means it is still recording or has not finished processing yet — wait a few minutes and refresh the page. Once the icon disappears, the episode is ready to watch.

Watching recordings on different devices

You can watch any recorded show on the same device where you added it, or on a different device entirely. Sign into YouTube TV on your phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV with the same account, and your entire library appears on all of them. Start watching on one device and pick up where you left off on another — YouTube TV remembers your position in each episode.

If you share your YouTube TV account with family members, they can also see and watch your library recordings. Each person's watch history and bookmarks stay separate, but the recorded shows themselves are shared across the whole account.

Removing shows from your library

To stop recording a show, open your Library tab and find the show you want to remove. Tap or click the three-dot menu next to the show name and select "Remove from library." YouTube TV will stop recording new episodes when ready, but any episodes you have already recorded will stay in your library until the nine-month window expires.

You can also remove individual episodes by opening the show, finding the episode, and tapping or clicking the three-dot menu next to that episode's title. Select "Remove" to delete just that episode from your library. This does not affect future recordings of the show.

Storage limits and what happens after nine months

YouTube TV does not give you a fixed amount of storage space the way a physical DVR does. Instead, all recordings stay for nine months from their original air date, then disappear automatically. This means a show that aired on January 15 will be deleted on October 15, even if you have not watched it yet.

If you know you want to keep a show longer than nine months, watch it before the important date and take notes, or purchase the episodes through YouTube's store. Some shows are also available on demand through YouTube TV's on-demand library, which is separate from your recordings and does not expire.

Common issues and what to do

If a show is not recording, check that you actually added it to your library — sometimes the button does not register on the first tap. Remove the show and add it again. If the show still does not record, the program may not be available through YouTube TV in your region, or the network may not allow YouTube TV to record it.

If you see a message saying "This show cannot be recorded," that means the content provider has blocked YouTube TV from recording that particular program. You can still watch it on demand if YouTube TV offers it, but you cannot save it to your library. If an episode is taking longer than a few minutes to appear after it airs, refresh the app or website — sometimes the page needs to reload to show new content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just one episode instead of the whole series?

No. When you add a show to your library, YouTube TV records all new episodes going forward. You cannot set it to record only certain episodes. If you want to record just one episode, you can watch it on demand through YouTube TV's on-demand library instead, though that does not save it permanently.

What happens if I pause a recording while it is still airing?

YouTube TV continues recording the episode in the background. You can pause and resume watching at any time, and the full episode will be saved to your library once it finishes airing. The recording happens separately from your playback.

Can I read recordings to watch offline?

YouTube TV does not let you read recordings to your device. You can only watch them through the YouTube TV app or website while connected to the internet. If you need offline viewing, you would need to purchase the show instead.

Do recorded shows count against my internet data limit?

Recording does not use your internet data — YouTube TV stores the recordings on its servers, not on your device. Watching the recordings does use data, just like streaming any other video. The amount depends on the video quality you choose.

If I cancel my YouTube TV membership, do I lose my recordings?

Yes. Your library and all recorded shows disappear when your membership ends. If you resubscribe later, your library will be empty and you will need to add shows again.