Delete a Recording from Your Library

To delete a recording on YouTube TV, open the app or website, find the show or movie in your library, and select the delete option. The recording is removed from your account when ready and cannot be recovered, so make sure you no longer want to watch it before you confirm.

On a phone or tablet, tap the show or movie title in your library, then tap the three-dot menu icon. Select "Remove from library" or "Delete." On a computer, right-click the title and choose "Remove from library." The recording disappears from your library within seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleted recordings cannot be recovered, so confirm you no longer want to watch before removing.
  • You can delete individual recordings from your library using the three-dot menu on mobile or right-click on desktop.
  • Deleting a recording does not cancel the series recording if you set one up — you must manage series settings separately.
  • Storage limits on YouTube TV are generous, so you only need to delete if you want to clean up your library or remove unwanted content.
  • Archived recordings that you have already watched can be deleted the same way as unwatched ones.

Delete Multiple Recordings at Once

If you want to remove several recordings quickly, you can select multiple titles and delete them together. On mobile, tap and hold one recording, then tap other titles to select them. A delete button will appear at the bottom of the screen — tap it to remove all selected recordings at once.

On a computer, click the checkbox next to each recording you want to remove. Once you have selected all the titles, a delete button appears. Click it to remove all of them from your library in one action. This method is faster than deleting one at a time if you are clearing out old content.

Manage Series Recordings Separately

If you set up a series recording and want to stop recording future episodes, deleting individual episodes does not stop the series. You must go to your series settings and turn off the recording rule. Find the show in your library, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Manage series" or "Series settings."

From there, you can choose to stop recording new episodes, delete all episodes at once, or keep the series but stop recording future ones. If you only delete one episode, YouTube TV will continue to record new episodes as they air. Changing the series setting is the only way to prevent future recordings.

Understand YouTube TV Storage

YouTube TV gives you unlimited storage for recordings, so you do not run out of space the way you might with a physical DVR. This means you can keep recordings as long as you want without deleting them to make room for new ones. The only reason to delete is if you want to clean up your library or remove content you no longer plan to watch.

Recordings stay in your library until you delete them or until they expire. Some networks or content providers may set expiration dates on certain recordings, in which case YouTube TV will remove them automatically after a set period. You will see an expiration date on the recording details if one applies.

Recover a Deleted Recording

Once you delete a recording, it is gone permanently and cannot be recovered from your YouTube TV account. You cannot undo the deletion or restore it from a trash folder. If you deleted a recording by mistake, your only option is to record the show again if it airs again or if it is available on demand through YouTube TV.

Before you delete, double-check that you have watched the recording or that you are certain you do not want to keep it. If the show is part of a series you are recording, deleting one episode does not affect future recordings — only the individual episode is removed.

Delete Recordings on Different Devices

You can delete recordings from any device where you use YouTube TV — phone, tablet, computer, or TV. The process is slightly different on each device, but the result is the same. On a smart TV, use your remote to navigate to the recording, open the menu, and select delete. The recording is removed from your library across all devices.

If you delete a recording on your phone, it disappears from your library on your computer and TV as well. YouTube TV syncs your library across all devices in real time, so you do not have to delete the same recording multiple times. Your library stays consistent no matter which device you use to manage it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a deletion?

No, deleted recordings cannot be recovered. Once you confirm the deletion, the recording is permanently removed from your YouTube TV account. If you need to watch the show again, you will have to record it when it airs or find it on demand if available.

Does deleting a recording stop future episodes from recording?

No, deleting one episode does not stop a series recording. You must go to the series settings and turn off the recording rule to prevent future episodes from being recorded. Deleting individual episodes only removes those specific recordings from your library.

What happens to my storage when I delete a recording?

YouTube TV offers unlimited storage, so deleting recordings does not free up space or affect your account. You can delete recordings straightforward to organize your library, not because you need to make room for new ones.

Can I delete recordings on my TV remote?

Yes, you can delete recordings from any device, including your smart TV. Use your remote to navigate to the recording, open the menu, and select the delete option. The recording is removed from your library on all devices.

Do I lose access to a show if I delete one episode?

Deleting one episode only removes that specific recording. If the show is available on demand through YouTube TV or airs again, you can still watch it or record it again. Your access to the show itself is not affected by deleting a single episode.