YouTube TV's Recording Feature Works Automatically

YouTube TV records programs to your personal library without you having to press a button or set a timer. When you add a show to your library, YouTube TV automatically saves new episodes as they air. You can then watch them whenever you want, on any device where you're signed in.

The system stores your recordings in the cloud, which means they don't take up space on your phone, tablet, or computer. You can keep recordings for up to nine months before YouTube TV deletes them to make room for new ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Add a show to your library by clicking the plus icon next to its name, and YouTube TV automatically records all new episodes going forward.
  • Recordings appear in your Library tab within hours of the episode airing, not in real time.
  • You can watch recordings on any device signed into your YouTube TV account, and you can delete individual episodes whenever you want.
  • YouTube TV keeps recordings for nine months, then removes them automatically to make space for new content.
  • If you want to record a single episode that already aired, you must add the entire show to your library first.

How to Add a Show to Your Library

Open YouTube TV on any device and search for the show you want to record. When you find it, look for the plus icon (it looks like a +) next to the show's name or in its description area. Click or tap that icon, and the show is now added to your library.

YouTube TV will begin recording new episodes automatically. You don't need to do anything else. The system records episodes whether you're watching YouTube TV or not, and whether your device is on or off.

If you're browsing the TV guide and see a show you want to record, you can also click the plus icon directly from the guide. The show gets added to your library right away.

Where to Find Your Recordings

Open YouTube TV and tap or click the Library tab at the bottom of the screen (on phones and tablets) or on the left side (on computers). Your library shows all the shows you've added, organized by name.

Tap or click on any show to see all the episodes you have recorded. New episodes appear in your library within a few hours of when they finish airing, though sometimes it takes longer depending on the network and time zone. Episodes show the date they aired so you can find the one you want to watch.

You can also search for a show by name using the search bar at the top of YouTube TV. If you've added it to your library, it will appear in the search results with a checkmark next to it.

Removing Shows and Individual Episodes

If you no longer want YouTube TV to record a show, open your Library, find the show, and click the checkmark icon next to its name. The checkmark disappears, and YouTube TV stops recording new episodes. Any episodes you've already recorded stay in your library until they expire after nine months.

To delete a single episode without removing the entire show, open the show in your library, find the episode you want to delete, and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select Remove from Library. That episode disappears when ready, but YouTube TV continues recording new episodes of the show.

What Happens When Your Storage Fills Up

YouTube TV doesn't limit how many recordings you can keep at once, but it does remove recordings automatically after nine months. The system deletes the oldest episodes first to make room for new ones. You can delete episodes yourself at any time if you want to free up space sooner.

If you want to keep a recording longer than nine months, you cannot do that within YouTube TV. Your only option is to watch it before the nine-month window closes.

Recording Sports Games and Live Events

When you add a sports team or league to your library, YouTube TV records games automatically just like it does for regular shows. Search for the team or sport name (for example, "Lakers" or "NFL"), click the plus icon, and new games are recorded as they air.

Live events like award shows or breaking news cannot be recorded in advance because they don't have a set schedule. You can only watch them as they happen. If you want to watch a live event later, you must tune in when it airs or check if YouTube TV offers it as an on-demand video after it finishes.

Recording on Multiple Devices

Your library and all your recordings follow you across every device you sign into with your YouTube TV account. If you add a show on your phone, it's automatically added on your tablet and computer too. You can start watching a recording on one device and finish it on another without losing your place.

Make sure you're signed into the same YouTube account on all your devices. If you sign out or use a different account, you won't see the same library or recordings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a show that already finished airing?

You can only record future episodes. If you add a show to your library after it has already aired, YouTube TV records only new episodes going forward. Some shows offer on-demand versions you can watch anytime, but those are separate from recordings.

What if I want to record just one episode instead of the whole series?

YouTube TV doesn't let you record single episodes. You must add the entire show to your library to record it. Once you do, you can delete individual episodes you don't want to keep, but the system continues recording new ones.

Do recordings take up space on my device?

No. Recordings are stored in the cloud on YouTube TV's servers, not on your phone, tablet, or computer. They don't use your device's storage space, and you can watch them as long as your YouTube TV account is active and the nine-month window hasn't closed.

Can I share my recordings with someone else?

Recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account and can only be watched by people signed into that account. You cannot share individual recordings with friends or family members who have their own accounts.

What if I cancel my YouTube TV subscription?

When you cancel, your library and all recordings disappear. If you resubscribe later, your old library is gone and you start fresh. YouTube TV does not save recordings after you stop paying for the service.