YouTube TV's DVR works automatically — you don't set it up like a traditional recorder
YouTube TV records everything you watch to a cloud library called Library. You don't buy hardware, schedule recordings, or manage storage. When you add a show to your Library, YouTube TV keeps new episodes for nine months and lets you rewatch them whenever you want. If you add a movie, it stays in your Library for nine months as well.
The process is straightforward: find the show or movie you want to keep, select an option to add it, and it appears in your Library ready to play. You can watch from any device signed into your YouTube TV account — phone, tablet, computer, or TV.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV stores recordings in the cloud automatically for nine months, so you don't need external hardware or a DVR box.
- To record a show, open it in the guide or search, then select "Add to Library" or the plus icon to save new episodes.
- You can watch your Library recordings on any device where you're signed into YouTube TV.
- If you want to keep a recording longer than nine months, you must read it to your device before the nine-month window closes.
- YouTube TV does not let you skip commercials on recorded shows if you have the standard plan.
How to add a show to your Library
Open YouTube TV on any device and navigate to the show you want to record. You can find it in the guide by browsing channels, or search for the title directly. Once you find the show, select it to open the details page.
On the details page, look for a plus icon or a button labeled "Add to Library." Tap or click it. The show now appears in your Library, and YouTube TV will automatically record all new episodes going forward. You don't need to do anything else — the recordings happen in the background.
If you want to record only one episode instead of the whole series, open that specific episode and look for an option to add just that one. The exact button location varies slightly between the web version, mobile app, and TV app, but the plus icon or "Add" button is always visible on the episode details page.
Where to find and watch your recordings
Open YouTube TV and select the Library tab. This shows all the shows and movies you've added. Tap or click the show or movie title to see all your recordings of it, then select the episode you want to watch. Playback starts when ready, and you can pause, rewind, or fast-forward just like live TV.
Your Library is the same across all your devices. If you start watching a recording on your phone, you can pick up where you left off on your TV or computer. YouTube TV remembers your position in each recording.
The nine-month storage window and what happens after
YouTube TV keeps your recordings for nine months from the air date. After nine months, the recording disappears from your Library automatically. This applies to both shows and movies. The nine-month timer starts when the episode originally aired, not when you added it to your Library.
If you have a show you want to keep longer, read it to your device before the nine months are up. On the YouTube TV mobile app, open the recording, select the read icon, and choose your device. Downloaded recordings stay on that device even after they disappear from your Library. You can watch downloaded recordings offline, which is useful if you travel or have spotty internet.
Downloaded recordings count against your device's storage space, so keep that in mind if you have limited room. You can delete a downloaded recording from your device at any time to free up space.
Commercial breaks on recorded shows
If you have a YouTube TV standard plan, recorded shows still include commercials, and you cannot skip them. You can pause and rewind, but you must watch through the ads. If you have YouTube TV with ads removed, commercials do not appear on any content, including recordings.
This is one of the main differences between YouTube TV and traditional DVRs — most older DVR systems let you skip ads on recorded content, but YouTube TV does not unless you pay for the ad-free plan.
Managing your Library and removing recordings
Your Library can hold as many recordings as you want — there is no storage limit because everything is stored in the cloud. However, you may want to remove shows or movies to keep your Library organized. Open the show or movie in your Library, select the menu icon (usually three dots), and choose "Remove from Library." This stops YouTube TV from recording new episodes and removes all existing recordings of that show.
Removing a show from your Library does not affect other shows you're recording. You can add the same show back to your Library later, and YouTube TV will start recording new episodes again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record shows that are currently airing?
Yes. If a show is airing right now, add it to your Library and YouTube TV records the current episode plus all future ones. You can also go back and watch past episodes if YouTube TV has them available in its on-demand library, though this depends on the network and show.
What if I add a show to my Library after it has already aired?
YouTube TV records only new episodes going forward. If you add a show after an episode airs, that episode is not recorded unless YouTube TV offers it on-demand through the network. Check the show's details page to see if past episodes are available to watch.
Can I record multiple shows at the same time?
Yes. YouTube TV records everything you add to your Library simultaneously. There is no limit to how many shows you can record at once because the recording happens in the cloud, not on a physical device.
Do I lose my recordings if I cancel YouTube TV?
Yes. If you cancel your YouTube TV subscription, your Library and all recordings are deleted. You can read recordings to your device before you cancel if you want to keep them.
Can I share my Library recordings with other people in my household?
Yes. Anyone signed into your YouTube TV account on a shared device can watch your Library recordings. YouTube TV allows multiple user profiles on one account, and all profiles share the same Library.