YouTube TV's Cloud DVR Records Everything You Select

YouTube TV includes a cloud-based DVR (digital video recorder) that stores your recordings on YouTube's servers instead of a box in your home. When you mark a show to record, YouTube TV automatically captures it and keeps it available for you to watch later. You can record individual episodes, entire series, or live events—and the recordings stay in your library for up to nine months.

The key difference from older cable DVRs is that you don't need to worry about storage space or scheduling conflicts. YouTube TV handles all of that behind the scenes. Your recordings appear in a dedicated section of the app, organized by show name, and you can watch them on any device where you're signed into your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You record a show by opening it in the YouTube TV guide or app and selecting the record button, which looks like a circle with a dot inside.
  • Recordings are stored in the cloud for up to nine months, and you can watch them on any device signed into your YouTube TV account.
  • When you record a series, YouTube TV automatically records new episodes as they air, unless you change the series settings.
  • You can delete recordings at any time to free up space, and you can set up filters to record only new episodes or all episodes of a show.

How to Record a Single Episode

Open the YouTube TV app or website and find the show you want to record. You can search for it by name, browse the guide by channel, or find it in the "For You" section. Once you've located the show, click or tap on it to open the details page.

Look for the record button—it appears as a circle with a dot in the center. Click or tap it once. The button will change color (usually to blue or red, depending on your device) to show that the episode is now scheduled to record. If the episode is currently airing or about to air, YouTube TV will capture it automatically. If it's an older episode that's being rerun, YouTube TV will record that airing.

You can record the same episode multiple times if it airs on different channels or at different times. Each recording appears separately in your library, though YouTube TV may group them together by default.

Recording an Entire Series Automatically

To record all episodes of a show, find the series in the guide or search results and open its main page (not a specific episode). You'll see a record button on the series page itself. Tap or click it, and YouTube TV will record every new episode as it airs going forward.

When you record a series, YouTube TV gives you options for how to handle reruns and past episodes. By default, it records only new episodes. If you want to record all available episodes—including ones that already aired—open the series settings and look for an option like "Record all" or "Include past episodes." This setting varies slightly depending on whether you're using the app or the website.

You can stop recording a series at any time by opening the series page again and clicking the record button to turn it off. This doesn't delete episodes you've already recorded; it just stops YouTube TV from capturing future ones.

Finding and Playing Your Recordings

Your recordings live in the "Library" section of YouTube TV, which you can access from the main menu. Open the app or website, look for "Library" in the left sidebar or navigation menu, and tap or click it. All your recorded shows appear here, organized alphabetically by title.

Click or tap any show to see all the episodes you've recorded. You can play an episode when ready, or you can come back to it later. YouTube TV remembers where you stopped watching, so if you pause an episode halfway through, it will resume from that point the next time you open it.

You can also access your recordings from the show's main page in the guide. If you've recorded episodes of a series, the show page will display a "Library" tab or section showing your saved episodes alongside information about upcoming airings.

Managing Your Recordings and Storage

YouTube TV stores your recordings for up to nine months from the date they were recorded. After nine months, recordings are automatically deleted to make room for new ones. You don't need to manually manage storage limits the way you would with a traditional DVR—YouTube TV handles this automatically.

If you want to delete a recording before the nine-month window expires, open your library, find the episode, and look for a delete or trash icon (usually three dots or a menu button). Tap or click it and select delete. The episode is removed when ready, and you can always record it again if it airs in the future.

You can also manage which series you're recording by visiting the series page and adjusting the recording settings. Some shows have options to record only new episodes, only episodes from certain times of day, or only episodes from specific channels. These settings help you avoid recording duplicates or episodes you don't want.

Recording Live Events and Sports

Recording live events like sports games, award shows, or breaking news works the same way as recording regular shows. Find the event in the guide, tap the record button, and YouTube TV captures it as it airs. You can then watch it on your own schedule without worrying about spoilers.

For sports in particular, you may want to record the entire series of games for a season. Find the sport or team in the guide, open the series page, and record the series. YouTube TV will then record every game automatically as it's scheduled. You can adjust settings to record only games from certain teams or leagues if you prefer.

Troubleshooting Recording Problems

If a show didn't record when you expected it to, check whether the episode actually aired. Sometimes the guide shows upcoming episodes that haven't been scheduled yet, or a show may have been preempted by breaking news or a special event. You can always record the show again when it airs at a different time.

If you're not seeing the record button on a show's page, make sure you're signed into your YouTube TV account and that your subscription is active. Some content may not be available to record due to licensing restrictions—in those cases, the record button won't appear. If a recording fails to save, try recording the show again the next time it airs.

If you're having trouble finding your recordings in the library, try searching for the show by name using the search bar at the top of the app. You can also sort your library by date recorded or alphabetically to locate specific episodes more easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record multiple shows at the same time?

Yes. Unlike traditional cable DVRs, YouTube TV's cloud system has no limit on how many shows you can record simultaneously. You can record ten shows airing at the same time without any conflicts or issues.

What happens to my recordings if I cancel YouTube TV?

Your recordings are deleted when your subscription ends. YouTube TV does not store recordings for former subscribers. If you plan to cancel, read or watch your recordings before your final billing date.

Can I share my recordings with someone else on my account?

Recordings are tied to the YouTube TV account that made them. Other people on your household account can watch your recordings, but they cannot be shared with people outside your account or on different YouTube TV subscriptions.

How do I record only new episodes and skip reruns?

When you record a series, YouTube TV defaults to recording only new episodes. Open the series page, tap the record button or settings icon, and look for an option labeled "New episodes only" or similar. This setting is usually already selected.

Can I record shows that already aired?

Only if they're being rerun. YouTube TV records the airing you select, so if a show aired last week and isn't scheduled to air again, you cannot record it retroactively. However, some shows remain available on-demand through YouTube TV's library, separate from recordings.