How to delete a recording from your YouTube TV library

To cancel or delete a recording on YouTube TV, open the app or website, find the show in your library, and select the delete option. On most devices, you'll right-click (or long-press on mobile) the recording and choose "Remove from library" or a trash icon. The recording disappears from your account when ready, and YouTube TV stops storing it.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using a phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device, but the principle is the same across all platforms. Once deleted, you cannot recover the recording — YouTube TV does not keep a trash folder or recovery option.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a recording removes it from your library right away, and YouTube TV does not store deleted recordings in a trash folder.
  • On phones and tablets, long-press the recording and tap the delete or trash icon from the menu that appears.
  • On computers and web browsers, right-click the recording and select "Remove from library."
  • On streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast, use the remote to highlight the recording and press the delete button or select remove from the options menu.
  • Deleting a recording does not cancel future episodes if the show is part of a series you're recording.

Delete a recording on your phone or tablet

Open the YouTube TV app and go to your Library. Find the recording you want to remove. Press and hold (long-press) the show or movie thumbnail until a menu appears with options.

Tap "Remove from library" or the trash icon, depending on your device and app version. Confirm the deletion if prompted. The recording is now gone from your account.

Delete a recording on a computer or web browser

Go to youtube.tv in your browser and sign in. Navigate to your Library section. Locate the recording you want to delete.

Right-click the show or movie thumbnail. A context menu will appear with the option "Remove from library." Click it to delete the recording. The recording disappears from your library when ready.

Delete a recording on a streaming device

Open YouTube TV on your streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, or similar). Go to your Library. Use your remote to highlight the recording you want to remove.

Press the delete key on your remote, or look for a menu button (often marked with three dots or lines) and select "Remove from library." Confirm the action if the device asks. The recording is deleted from your account.

Stopping future recordings of a series

If you want to stop YouTube TV from recording future episodes of a show, you need to cancel the series recording itself, not just delete individual episodes. Go to your Library and find the series. Look for an option that says "Stop recording" or "Unfollow series."

Selecting this option prevents YouTube TV from recording new episodes going forward. Episodes you've already recorded remain in your library unless you delete them individually. If you change your mind, you can start recording the series again by finding it in the guide or search results and selecting "Record series."

What happens to your storage when you delete

YouTube TV includes cloud storage for recordings as part of your subscription — you do not pay extra for storage space. When you delete a recording, you free up space in your account's library, but this does not lower your bill or give you a refund. The storage is included with your membership whether you use it or not.

YouTube TV does not display how much storage you've used or how much remains available. You can record as many shows and movies as you want during your subscription period, and they stay in your library until you delete them or your subscription ends.

Recordings that disappear on their own

Some recordings are removed automatically by YouTube TV based on licensing agreements with networks and studios. If a show or movie disappears from your library without you deleting it, the network or content owner likely requested its removal. You'll see a message in your library explaining that the content is no longer available.

This happens most often with movies and special events that have limited licensing windows. You cannot prevent these removals, and YouTube TV does not offer refunds or credits when this occurs. If you want to watch the content again, you may be able to find it through YouTube TV's on-demand catalog or other services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a deletion and get my recording back?

No. Once you delete a recording from YouTube TV, it is permanently removed from your account. YouTube TV does not have a trash folder or recovery option. If you want to watch the show or movie again, you'll need to record it a second time or find it in YouTube TV's on-demand library if available.

Does deleting a recording stop future episodes from recording?

No. Deleting individual episodes does not affect your series recording. YouTube TV will continue to record new episodes unless you actively cancel the series recording. To stop future episodes, find the series in your Library and select "Stop recording" or "Unfollow series."

What if I delete a recording by accident?

You cannot recover an accidentally deleted recording. Your only option is to record the show or movie again if it airs again or is available on-demand through YouTube TV. Check your guide to see if the show is scheduled for a repeat broadcast.

Do I lose my recordings if I cancel my YouTube TV subscription?

Yes. If you cancel your YouTube TV subscription, all your recordings are deleted and you lose access to your library. Recordings are stored in YouTube TV's cloud system and are only available while you maintain an active subscription.

Can I read a recording to keep it after I cancel?

No. YouTube TV does not allow you to read or export recordings. Recordings exist only within the YouTube TV app and service. Once your subscription ends, the recordings are gone.