YouTube TV's built-in recording feature lets you save shows and movies to watch later, and the recordings stay in your library for up to nine months
YouTube TV includes a library feature that works like a DVR. When you record a show, YouTube TV stores it on their servers, not on a device in your home. You can watch your recordings on any device where you sign into your YouTube TV account — your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. There is no separate box to buy, no hard drive to fill up, and no monthly DVR fee.
The recordings are yours to keep until they expire. YouTube TV keeps most recorded shows for nine months from the air date. Some content, like certain movies or sports events, may have shorter windows due to licensing rules — YouTube TV will tell you the expiration date when you record it.
Key Takeaways
- Record a show by clicking the plus icon next to the title in the guide or on the show's details page, and it saves to your library automatically.
- Your library stores recordings for up to nine months, and you can watch them on any device signed into your YouTube TV account.
- Series recordings capture new episodes automatically once you record the first episode, without needing to record each one separately.
- You can delete recordings at any time to free up space, and there is no limit to how many shows you can record at once.
- Some content has shorter expiration dates due to licensing restrictions, and YouTube TV displays the expiration date before you record.
How to record a single show or movie
Open YouTube TV on any device and find the show or movie you want to record. You will see a plus icon (or add icon) next to the title. Tap or click it. The icon will change to a checkmark, which means the recording is queued. YouTube TV will record the show when it airs, or if it has already aired, the recording will appear in your library right away.
You can also record from the show's details page. Click on the show title to open its full page, and you will see the plus icon there as well. Click it the same way. If the show is currently airing, YouTube TV records it live. If it has not aired yet, YouTube TV will record it when it does.
Setting up series recordings for new episodes
If you want YouTube TV to record every new episode of a show automatically, record the first episode, then go to your library and find the show. Open it and look for an option to record all new episodes or record series. The exact wording varies by device, but the option is always there once you have recorded at least one episode.
Once you turn on series recording, YouTube TV will capture every new episode that airs. You do not have to do anything else — the episodes appear in your library as they air. If you change your mind, you can turn off series recording the same way, and YouTube TV will stop recording new episodes. Episodes you already recorded will stay in your library until they expire.
Where to find and watch your recordings
All your recordings live in your library, which you can reach from the main menu on any device. Open YouTube TV, look for the Library tab or menu option, and tap it. Your recordings are organized by show name. Tap a show to see all the episodes you have recorded, then tap the episode you want to watch.
You can start watching on one device and pick up where you left off on another. If you watch an episode halfway through on your phone, you can open YouTube TV on your TV later and resume from that same spot. YouTube TV remembers your place in every recording.
Deleting recordings and managing your library
You can delete any recording at any time. Open your library, find the show or episode, and look for a delete or trash icon. Tap it and confirm. The recording is removed from your library when ready. Deleting a recording does not affect series recording — if you have series recording turned on for that show, YouTube TV will still record future episodes.
There is no storage limit or maximum number of recordings. You can record as many shows as you want at the same time, and YouTube TV will handle them all. The only constraint is time: recordings expire after nine months (or sooner for some licensed content), so old episodes will disappear on their own if you do not delete them first.
What happens if a show airs while you are watching something else
YouTube TV can record multiple shows at the same time without any problem. Unlike older cable DVRs that had a limit on simultaneous recordings, YouTube TV's server-based system has no such constraint. If two shows you want to record air at the exact same time, YouTube TV records both of them.
You also do not have to be home or have your device on for recordings to work. YouTube TV records shows on their servers, so the recording happens whether your TV is on, your phone is in your pocket, or you are asleep. When you open YouTube TV later, the recording will be waiting in your library.
Expiration dates and licensing restrictions
Most shows and movies stay in your library for nine months from the original air date. Some content has a shorter window — certain movies, sports events, or licensed programs may expire after 30 days, 60 days, or some other period. YouTube TV shows you the expiration date before you record, so you will know how long you have to watch.
If you want to watch a recording before it expires, there is no trick or workaround — the expiration is set by the content provider or licensing agreement, not by YouTube TV. Plan to watch important recordings sooner rather than later if they have a short expiration window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a show that is currently airing?
Yes. If you record a show while it is on the air, YouTube TV captures it from that moment forward. You will not see the part that already aired, but you can watch from the point you recorded onward. If you want the whole episode, record it before it starts airing.
What if I record a show by accident?
Delete it from your library. Open your library, find the recording, and tap the delete icon. It is removed when ready. If you have series recording turned on for that show, you can turn it off separately so YouTube TV stops recording future episodes.
Can I read recordings to watch offline?
YouTube TV does not offer offline read for recordings. You must stream them from YouTube TV's servers. You can watch on any device with an internet connection, but the recording itself stays on YouTube TV's servers, not on your 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. They are tied to your active account. If you resubscribe later, your old recordings will not come back.
How many devices can watch a recording at the same time?
YouTube TV allows three simultaneous streams on your account at once, whether they are live TV or recordings. If three people are already watching, a fourth person cannot start a recording or live stream until one of the others stops.