Recording on YouTube TV works through the cloud, not a DVR box

YouTube TV stores your recordings on Google's servers, not on a device in your home. When you mark a show to record, YouTube TV saves it to your account for up to nine months. You can watch it anytime on any device where you're signed in—your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. There's no separate DVR hardware to buy, set up, or maintain.

The process is straightforward: find the show you want to record, select the record button, and it's done. YouTube TV handles the rest automatically, including recording new episodes if you choose that option.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV records shows to the cloud and stores them for nine months, accessible on any device where you're signed in.
  • You can record individual episodes or set up automatic recording for all new episodes of a series.
  • Recordings are included with your YouTube TV membership at no extra cost.
  • You can delete recordings manually anytime, and YouTube TV will also remove them after nine months.

How to record a single episode

Open YouTube TV on any device and find the show or movie you want to record. This can be a program that's airing now, one coming up later, or a past episode that's still available in the guide. Look for the record button—it appears as a circle icon next to the show title.

Tap or click the record button. A confirmation message will appear saying the show is saved. That's all you need to do. YouTube TV will record it automatically when it airs, or if the episode has already aired, it will be added to your library right away.

Setting up automatic recording for a series

If you want YouTube TV to record every new episode of a show automatically, find the series in the guide and look for the series record option. This is usually shown as a button labeled "Record series" or a similar option in the show's details page.

Select it, and YouTube TV will record all future episodes. You can also choose to record only new episodes, or to record all episodes including ones that have already aired. Once you set this up, you don't have to do anything else—new episodes will appear in your library automatically.

Finding and watching your recordings

Your recordings live in the Library section of YouTube TV. On your TV, phone, or computer, open YouTube TV and look for the Library tab or menu option. All your recorded shows and movies will be listed there, organized by title.

Tap or click any recording to start watching. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward just as you would with live TV. If you're watching on a phone or tablet, you can also read recordings to watch offline, though this feature is not available on all devices.

Managing storage and deleting recordings

YouTube TV gives you unlimited recording space—you won't run out of room or hit a storage limit. However, recordings are automatically deleted after nine months. If you want to keep something longer, you'll need to watch it or read it before that important date.

You can also delete recordings manually anytime. Open your Library, find the recording, and select the delete option. This frees up nothing in terms of storage (since it's unlimited), but it removes the show from your list so your library stays organized.

Recording restrictions and what you should know

Most shows and movies can be recorded, but some content has restrictions. Certain sporting events, pay-per-view programs, and licensed movies may not be recordable due to licensing agreements. If a show can't be recorded, the record button will be grayed out or unavailable.

Recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account, not to a specific device. If you cancel your YouTube TV membership, your recordings will no longer be available. They're stored as long as you remain a subscriber and within the nine-month window.

Recording on different devices

You can set up recordings from any device—your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. The recording is saved to your account, so it doesn't matter where you started it. You can record a show on your phone while at work and watch it on your TV at home that evening.

Some devices offer additional features. For example, on a Chromecast with Google TV or an Android TV device, you may see recording suggestions based on your viewing habits. On a computer or phone, the interface is the same across all platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record multiple shows at the same time?

Yes. YouTube TV records everything to the cloud, so there's no limit on how many shows you can record simultaneously. You can record five shows airing at the same time without any conflict or quality loss.

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

Your recordings become unavailable if you pause or cancel your membership. They return if you reactivate your account, but only if you do so within a certain period. Check YouTube TV's current policy on account pauses to confirm the exact timeframe.

Can I share my recordings with other people in my household?

Yes, if they're on the same YouTube TV account, they can see and watch all your recordings. If they have their own separate account, they cannot access your library. YouTube TV allows multiple user profiles on one account, and recordings are shared across all profiles.

How much space do recordings take up?

You don't need to worry about storage space. YouTube TV handles all storage on its servers, and you have unlimited recording space included with your membership. There's no limit to how many shows you can record.

Can I record shows that haven't aired yet?

Yes. You can record shows that are scheduled to air in the future. Find them in the guide, select record, and YouTube TV will capture them when they air. This is especially useful for setting up series recordings for shows you don't want to miss.