YouTube TV's Built-In Recording Feature Works Automatically

YouTube TV records shows for you without needing a separate DVR box or monthly fee. When you mark a show as a favorite or add it to your library, YouTube TV automatically saves new episodes as they air. The recordings stay in your library for nine months, and you can watch them anytime on any device where you're signed in.

You don't need to set up a recording schedule or manage storage space—YouTube TV handles all of that. The system works the same way whether you're watching live TV on your phone, tablet, computer, or television.

Key Takeaways

  • Mark any show as a favorite in the YouTube TV app or website, and new episodes record automatically for nine months.
  • Recorded shows appear in your Library tab, organized by show name, and you can delete individual episodes anytime.
  • You can start watching a show from the beginning even if it's still airing live, by selecting it from your Library instead of the live feed.
  • Recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account, so you can watch them on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices signed into that account.

How to Mark a Show as a Favorite to Record It

Open the YouTube TV app or website and find the show you want to record. You can search for it by name, browse the guide, or look at the channel it airs on. Once you find the show title, tap or click the heart icon next to it. The heart fills in, and YouTube TV begins recording all new episodes.

You can also mark a show as a favorite while it's playing live. Open the show details panel and tap the heart icon there. If you're watching on a TV device, use your remote to navigate to the show title and select the heart option from the menu.

Marking a show as a favorite is different from adding a single episode to your library. If you only want to record one episode instead of the whole series, tap the plus icon next to that specific episode instead of the heart.

Finding and Playing Your Recorded Shows

Go to the Library tab in YouTube TV—it's usually at the bottom of the app or on the left side of the website. Your recorded shows appear in a list organized by title. Tap or click any show name to see all the episodes you've recorded.

Select the episode you want to watch. YouTube TV plays it from the beginning, even if the episode is currently airing live on the channel. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward through recorded episodes just like you would with on-demand content.

If you're watching on a TV device, use your remote to navigate to Library, find the show, and select the episode. The playback controls work the same way as on other devices.

Deleting Recordings and Managing Your Library

Open the Library tab and find the show you want to remove. Tap and hold the show title (or right-click on a computer), then select Delete from the menu. You can delete an entire show, which removes all recorded episodes, or delete individual episodes one at a time.

YouTube TV automatically deletes recordings after nine months, so you don't have to worry about them taking up space forever. If you want to keep a show longer, you can re-record it by marking it as a favorite again before the nine-month window closes.

Deleting a show from your Library does not unmark it as a favorite. If you delete all episodes of a show but still have it marked with a heart, YouTube TV will continue recording new episodes as they air.

Recording Sports Games and Live Events

Mark a sports team or league as a favorite to record all their games automatically. Search for the team name in YouTube TV, tap the heart icon, and new games appear in your Library as they're recorded. This works for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, and other leagues available on your YouTube TV channels.

For one-time events like award shows or special broadcasts, add that specific episode to your library instead of marking the whole series. Tap the plus icon next to the event in the guide or search results. The episode records and stays in your Library for nine months.

If you want to watch a game or event from the beginning but it's still airing live, go to your Library and select it there instead of tuning to the live channel. This lets you start from the start while the game is still happening.

Watching Recordings on Different Devices

Your recorded shows are available on any device where you sign into your YouTube TV account. Start watching on your phone, pause it, and pick up where you left off on your computer or TV. YouTube TV remembers your position in each episode.

Recordings work on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers using a web browser, Chromecast devices, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. Sign into the same YouTube account on each device, and your Library syncs across all of them.

If you're away from home, you can still watch your recordings on any device as long as you're signed into your YouTube TV account. There are no location restrictions on recorded content.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

If a show isn't recording even though you marked it as a favorite, check that you have an active YouTube TV membership and that the show is available in your region. Some shows or channels may not be included in your package. Go to your account settings and confirm your membership is current.

If a recording didn't save, it may have been deleted automatically after nine months, or there may have been a broadcast interruption. Mark the show as a favorite again to record future episodes. If the problem continues, sign out of YouTube TV completely, wait a few minutes, and sign back in.

If you can't find a recorded episode in your Library, search for the show by name at the top of the app. Sometimes episodes take a few minutes to appear after they finish airing. Refresh the app by closing it completely and opening it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record multiple shows at the same time?

Yes. YouTube TV records as many shows as you want at once, even if they air on different channels at the same time. You don't have to choose between recordings or worry about conflicts.

What happens to my recordings if I cancel YouTube TV?

Your recordings are deleted when your membership ends. If you reactivate your account later, your old recordings won't come back. Mark your favorite shows as favorites again to start recording new episodes.

Can I read recordings to watch offline?

YouTube TV does not support downloading recordings. You can only watch them while connected to the internet. Recordings are available to stream anytime, but not to save to your device.

Do I need to do anything special to record movies?

Movies work the same way as shows. Add a movie to your Library by tapping the plus icon, and it stays there for nine months. You can watch it anytime without waiting for it to air again.

Can someone else in my household watch my recordings?

Yes, if they're signed into a different profile on the same YouTube TV account. Each profile has its own Library, so you can keep your recordings separate. Recordings are shared across all profiles on the same account.