Delete a recording from your library in three steps

To delete a recording on YouTube TV, open the app or website, find the recording in your library, and select the delete option. The process takes less than a minute and frees up space in your account. Once deleted, the recording is gone permanently—YouTube TV does not keep a trash folder or recovery option.

The steps are the same whether you use a phone, tablet, computer, or TV device. You do not need to contact YouTube TV support or change any account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Open YouTube TV, go to your Library, and find the recording you want to remove.
  • Select the three-dot menu next to the recording title and choose Delete.
  • Deleted recordings cannot be recovered, so make sure you want to remove it before confirming.
  • You can delete recordings one at a time or select multiple recordings to delete them together.
  • Deleting a recording does not affect the original broadcast or your ability to record the show again in the future.

Step-by-step deletion on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube TV app and tap the Library tab at the bottom of the screen. Scroll through your recordings until you find the one you want to delete. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to the recording title—it appears to the right of the show name or episode number.

A menu will pop up with several options. Tap Delete. YouTube TV will ask you to confirm the deletion. Tap Delete again to remove the recording permanently from your account.

Step-by-step deletion on a computer

Go to tv.youtube.com and sign in with your account. Click Library in the left sidebar. Find the recording you want to delete by scrolling or using the search box at the top.

Hover your mouse over the recording thumbnail. A three-dot menu icon will appear in the top right corner of the thumbnail. Click it and select Delete from the dropdown menu. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Step-by-step deletion on a TV device

Open YouTube TV on your TV and navigate to Library using your remote. Scroll to the recording you want to delete. Press the menu button on your remote (usually marked with three dots or lines) while the recording is highlighted.

Select Delete from the menu that appears. Confirm your choice when the app asks you to verify. The recording will be removed when ready.

Delete multiple recordings at once

If you want to remove several recordings, you can select them together instead of deleting one by one. On a phone or tablet, open Library and tap Edit in the top right corner. Check the box next to each recording you want to delete, then tap Delete at the bottom of the screen.

On a computer, click Library and then click Edit in the top left. Check the boxes next to the recordings you want to remove, then click Delete. On a TV, use your remote to select multiple recordings while in edit mode, then confirm the deletion.

What happens to storage when you delete a recording

YouTube TV does not charge you based on how many recordings you store. Your account comes with unlimited recording space, so deleting a recording does not lower your bill or free up space you can use for something else. You can delete recordings straightforward to keep your library organized and easier to browse.

If you delete a recording by accident, you cannot restore it from a backup or recovery folder. However, you can record the same show again if it airs in the future or if it is available on demand through YouTube TV.

Organize your library without deleting

If you want to keep a recording but hide it from your main library view, you can mark it as watched. On a phone or tablet, swipe left on the recording and tap Mark as watched. On a computer, right-click the recording and select Mark as watched. On a TV, highlight the recording and press the menu button, then select Mark as watched.

Watched recordings still appear in your library but are grouped separately, making it easier to find shows you have not seen yet. You can mark a recording as unwatched the same way if you change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a recording after I delete it?

No. Once you delete a recording from YouTube TV, it is permanently removed and cannot be recovered. There is no trash folder or undo option. Make sure you want to delete a recording before you confirm the deletion.

Does deleting a recording affect my YouTube TV subscription?

No. Your subscription includes unlimited recording storage, so deleting recordings does not change your bill or account status. You can delete and record as much as you want without any impact on your service.

What if I delete a recording by mistake?

You cannot restore the deleted recording, but you can record the show again if it airs in the future. Check your TV guide to see when the program is scheduled next, or search for it in YouTube TV to see if it is available on demand.

Can I delete a recording that is currently playing?

Yes. You can delete a recording at any time, even while it is playing or downloading. Stop playback, go to your Library, and delete it using the three-dot menu. The deletion takes effect when ready.

Do I need to delete old recordings to make room for new ones?

No. YouTube TV offers unlimited recording storage, so you never run out of space. You can keep as many recordings as you want without deleting anything. Delete recordings only if you want to clean up your library or no longer need them.