YouTube TV lets you record shows and movies to watch later through its cloud DVR feature
YouTube TV includes cloud DVR storage at no extra cost. When you record a show, it saves to your account in the cloud rather than to a device or external hard drive. You can then watch that recording from any device where you sign in — your phone, tablet, computer, or TV — and the recording stays available for up to nine months.
The process is straightforward: you find the show or movie you want to record, select the record option, and YouTube TV handles the rest. You do not need any special equipment beyond your YouTube TV subscription and an internet connection to watch later.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV's cloud DVR stores your recordings for up to nine months at no additional monthly cost.
- You can record a single episode, an entire series, or a movie by selecting the record button next to the title.
- Recordings are available on all your devices — phone, tablet, computer, and TV — as long as you are signed into your YouTube TV account.
- Some shows have licensing restrictions that prevent recording, though most broadcast and cable channels allow it.
- Your household members can watch your recordings on their own devices if they have access to your YouTube TV account.
How to record a single episode or movie
Open the YouTube TV app or website and find the show or movie you want to record. Look at the details page — you will see a record button, usually shown as a circle or a plus sign next to the title. Tap or click that button, and the recording is scheduled.
If the show or movie is airing soon, YouTube TV will record it automatically when it airs. If it has already aired, YouTube TV may have it available on demand, and recording it ensures you have your own copy saved to your account. Either way, the recording appears in your library within a few minutes to a few hours after it finishes recording.
How to record an entire series
When you find a TV series you want to follow, go to the series page and look for a record button or option to record the series. Select it, and YouTube TV will automatically record every new episode as it airs for the rest of the season and into future seasons if the show continues.
You can manage series recordings from your library. If you want to stop recording a series, go to your recordings, find the series, and select the option to stop recording future episodes. Past episodes you have already recorded stay in your library.
Where to find and watch your recordings
Your recordings appear in the Library section of YouTube TV. On the YouTube TV home screen or menu, select Library, then look for the Recordings tab. All your saved shows and movies appear there, organized by title.
Tap or click any recording to start watching from the beginning, or resume from where you left off if you have already started it. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV — whichever device you are using at the moment. Your progress syncs across devices, so if you watch part of an episode on your phone, you can pick up where you left off on your TV.
Storage limits and how long recordings stay available
YouTube TV gives you unlimited cloud storage for recordings, meaning you can record as many shows and movies as you want without running out of space. However, recordings automatically delete after nine months. If you want to keep a recording longer, you need to watch it or manage it before that important date.
You can manually delete any recording at any time if you want to remove it from your library sooner. Go to the recording, select the delete option, and it is removed when ready.
Shows and movies you cannot record
Most shows and movies on YouTube TV can be recorded, but some have licensing restrictions that prevent it. If a title cannot be recorded, the record button will not appear on its details page, or it will be grayed out and unavailable.
This usually affects premium movies, pay-per-view events, or certain on-demand content. If a show you want is not recordable, you can often watch it on demand through YouTube TV's library instead, though you cannot save your own copy.
Recording across multiple household members
Everyone in your household who has access to your YouTube TV account can see and watch your recordings. If you record a show, your family members can find it in the Library and watch it on their own devices.
You cannot set individual recording permissions for different household members. All recordings are shared with everyone on the account. If you want to keep a recording private, you would need to delete it before others in the household see it, or manage account access through YouTube TV's household settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record shows while I am away from home?
Yes. YouTube TV records shows to the cloud regardless of where you are or whether the YouTube TV app is open. As long as your account is active and you have a subscription, recordings happen automatically when shows air. You can watch them later from anywhere with an internet connection.
What happens to my recordings if I cancel YouTube TV?
Your recordings are deleted when your subscription ends. YouTube TV does not keep recordings for former subscribers. If you plan to cancel, watch or read any recordings you want to keep before your subscription expires.
Can I read recordings to watch offline?
YouTube TV does not offer a read feature for recordings. 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 use a different streaming service that supports downloads.
Why is the record button missing from a show I want to record?
The show likely has a licensing restriction that prevents recording. Some premium content, movies, or special events cannot be recorded due to copyright or distribution agreements. Check if the show is available on demand instead, which you can watch through YouTube TV without recording it.
Can I record the same show on multiple devices?
You only need to record a show once. Once it is recorded to your YouTube TV account, all your devices can access that single recording. You do not record it separately on each device.