Delete a scheduled recording before it starts

Open YouTube TV on any device and go to the Library tab at the bottom of the screen. Find the show or movie you scheduled, then tap or click the three-dot menu next to it. Select Remove from Library or Delete — the exact wording depends on your device. The recording will not happen.

If you scheduled a series to record all episodes, you can remove the entire series at once using the same menu, or remove only future episodes by selecting Stop recording. Episodes already recorded stay in your library unless you delete them separately.

On a TV or streaming device, use your remote to highlight the scheduled show, press the menu button (usually three dots or lines), and follow the on-screen options to remove it. The process is the same across Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and Chromecast devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Library, find the scheduled show, tap the three-dot menu, and select Remove from Library or Delete to cancel a recording before it starts.
  • For series recordings, you can stop all future episodes without deleting the ones already recorded.
  • The delete option works the same way on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices.
  • Removing a scheduled recording does not affect your ability to watch the show if it airs live or is available on demand.

Remove recordings from different devices

YouTube TV works across phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices, and the steps are nearly identical on all of them. On a phone or tablet, open the YouTube TV app, tap Library, find the scheduled recording, and tap the three-dot menu. On a computer, use the same path: Library, find the show, and click the three-dot menu next to it.

On a TV device like Roku or Apple TV, use your remote to navigate to Library, highlight the show you want to remove, and press the menu or options button on your remote. A menu will appear with the option to remove or delete. Fire Stick and Chromecast devices follow the same pattern — navigate to Library, select the show, and use the menu button to delete.

If you cannot find the three-dot menu on your device, try long-pressing or holding down on the show title. Some older devices use a long-press instead of a dedicated menu button.

Cancel a series recording without deleting past episodes

When you schedule a series to record, YouTube TV records all new episodes automatically. If you want to stop future recordings but keep the episodes you already have, open Library and find the series. Tap or click the three-dot menu and look for Stop recording or Unsubscribe.

Selecting this option stops YouTube TV from recording new episodes going forward. The episodes already in your library remain there and can be watched or deleted individually. This is useful if you fall behind on a show or lose interest but want to keep what you have already recorded.

If you remove the entire series instead, all scheduled future episodes are cancelled, but again, episodes already recorded are not automatically deleted — you would need to remove those separately if you want them gone.

Delete a recording that already happened

If a show has already recorded and you want to remove it from your library, the process is the same. Go to Library, find the recorded episode, tap or click the three-dot menu, and select Remove from Library or Delete. The video is removed from your account and no longer takes up storage space.

YouTube TV does not charge for storage, so deleting old recordings is optional — you can keep them as long as you want. However, removing shows you no longer watch keeps your library organized and makes it easier to find what you actually want to watch.

What happens when you delete a scheduled recording

Deleting a scheduled recording cancels the recording but does not prevent you from watching the show another way. If the episode airs live, you can still tune in at the scheduled time. If the network offers the show on demand through YouTube TV or another service, you can watch it there instead.

YouTube TV keeps most shows available on demand for a set period after they air, so cancelling a recording does not mean you lose access to the content entirely. Check the show's details page to see if it is available on demand before you delete the scheduled recording.

Manage your recording space and storage limits

YouTube TV gives you unlimited cloud storage for recordings, so you do not have to delete old recordings to make room for new ones. However, YouTube TV keeps recordings for a limited time — typically nine months for most shows, though some content may be available longer or shorter depending on licensing agreements.

If a recording reaches the end of its availability window, YouTube TV removes it automatically. You do not need to manually delete it. This means you can schedule as many recordings as you want without worrying about running out of space or hitting a storage limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a recording after it has already started?

Yes. Go to Library, find the show that is currently recording, and tap the three-dot menu. Select Remove or Delete. The recording stops when ready, but you may have a partial file saved depending on how far into the recording you are when you delete it.

If I delete a scheduled recording, can I reschedule it later?

Yes. Search for the show again and set up a new recording the same way you did the first time. There is no limit to how many times you can schedule and cancel recordings for the same show.

What is the difference between "Remove from Library" and "Delete"?

On most YouTube TV devices, these options mean the same thing — both remove the recording from your library. The wording varies by device, but the result is identical. The show is removed and no longer appears in your library.

Will deleting a scheduled recording affect my YouTube TV subscription?

No. Cancelling or deleting recordings has no effect on your subscription. You can record and delete as many shows as you want without any impact on your account or billing.

Can I delete multiple scheduled recordings at once?

Most YouTube TV devices require you to delete recordings one at a time through the three-dot menu. There is no bulk delete option across the app, so if you have many scheduled recordings to cancel, you will need to go through them individually.