Delete a Single Recording from Your Library

Open YouTube TV on any device and go to your Library. Find the recording you want to remove, then press and hold on it (or right-click on a computer). A menu will appear with a delete option — select it, and the recording is gone. On a phone or tablet, you may see a trash icon appear next to the title instead.

The recording disappears from your library when ready. YouTube TV does not move deleted recordings to a trash folder — once you confirm the deletion, it is permanently removed and cannot be recovered.

Key Takeaways

  • Single recordings delete when ready from your Library through a press-and-hold menu or right-click option, with no recovery option afterward.
  • You can delete entire series at once by selecting the series title and choosing delete, which removes all episodes in that series from your library.
  • Deleting a recording does not cancel the series recording rule, so future episodes will still record unless you turn off the series rule separately.
  • YouTube TV does not count deleted recordings toward your storage limit, so deletion frees up space for new recordings when ready.
  • The delete option works the same way across all devices — phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV.

Remove an Entire Series at Once

If you have recorded multiple episodes of a show and want to delete them all, go to your Library and find the series title. Press and hold the series name (or right-click on a computer), then select the delete option. YouTube TV will remove every episode of that series from your library in one action.

Deleting a series this way does not stop YouTube TV from recording future episodes. If you have a recording rule set for that show, new episodes will continue to record. You need to turn off the series rule separately if you want to stop recording the show going forward.

Turn Off a Series Recording Rule

A series recording rule tells YouTube TV to automatically record every new episode of a show. Deleting the episodes you have already recorded does not affect this rule. To stop future recordings, go to your Library, find the series, and look for a settings or gear icon next to the title.

Select that icon and choose the option to stop recording or remove the series rule. The exact wording varies by device, but the menu will make clear that you are turning off automatic recording for that show. After you do this, YouTube TV will not record any new episodes, but any recordings you have already made will stay in your library unless you delete them separately.

Manage Storage and Recording Limits

YouTube TV gives you a set amount of storage space for recordings. The amount varies depending on your account type and location, but you can see how much space you are using in your Library settings. When you delete a recording, that storage space becomes available for new recordings right away.

If your storage is full and you try to record something new, YouTube TV may automatically delete your oldest recordings to make room. You can prevent this by deleting recordings you no longer want before you hit the limit. Check your storage status regularly if you record a lot of shows, so you have control over what gets deleted instead of letting the system decide.

Delete Recordings on Different Devices

The delete process works the same way on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast. Open YouTube TV, go to your Library, find the recording, and use the press-and-hold or right-click method to bring up the delete option.

On some older streaming devices, the menu may look slightly different, but the delete button will be in the same menu. If you delete a recording on one device, it disappears from your library on all your devices — the deletion syncs across your account when ready. You do not need to delete the same recording multiple times on different devices.

What Happens to Scheduled Recordings When You Delete

If you delete a recording of an episode that is scheduled to record again (for example, if the show airs in reruns), YouTube TV will not automatically re-record it. The deletion is permanent for that specific episode. If you want to record that episode again, you would need to manually search for it and add it to your library, or wait for it to air again and let your series rule catch it.

Deleting a recording also does not affect your watch history or recommendations. YouTube TV keeps track of what you have watched separately from what you have recorded, so removing a recording from your library does not erase the fact that you watched it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a recording after I delete it?

No. Once you delete a recording from YouTube TV, it is gone permanently. There is no trash folder or recovery option. If you think you might want to watch something again, do not delete it until you are sure.

If I delete a series, will new episodes stop recording?

Deleting all the episodes of a series does not stop the recording rule. New episodes will continue to record unless you separately turn off the series rule in your Library settings. You must do both actions if you want to stop recording and clear out old episodes.

Does deleting recordings free up space for new ones?

Yes. Deleted recordings free up storage space when ready. If you are running low on space and want to record something new, deleting old recordings you no longer need will make room for the new recording right away.

Will a deleted recording show up in my watch history?

No. Deleting a recording removes it from your library, but it does not affect your watch history or the shows YouTube TV recommends to you. Your viewing history is separate from your recordings.

Do I have to delete recordings on every device, or just one?

You only need to delete a recording once. When you delete it on any device, it disappears from your library on all your devices because the deletion syncs to your account. You do not need to delete the same recording multiple times.