Recording a show on YouTube TV means saving it to your library so you can watch it later, even after it stops airing

YouTube TV stores recordings in the cloud, not on your device, so you don't need extra storage space. When you record a show, YouTube TV keeps it for nine months. You can start watching a recording right away, pause it, and come back to it later on any device where you're signed in. The process takes seconds—usually just one click or tap.

Unlike a traditional DVR that records to a box in your home, YouTube TV's recordings live on YouTube's servers. This means you can access them from anywhere, and you never have to worry about your device running out of space. The trade-off is that recordings expire after nine months, so they're not permanent.

Key Takeaways

  • You can record a show by clicking the plus icon next to its name in the guide or on its detail page, and YouTube TV will save all future episodes automatically.
  • Recordings stay in your library for nine months from the air date, then YouTube TV deletes them to make room for new content.
  • You can watch a recording on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV as long as you're signed into the same YouTube TV account.
  • If you record a series, YouTube TV automatically records new episodes as they air without you having to do anything else.
  • You can delete a recording at any time from your library, and you can stop recording future episodes of a series whenever you want.

How to record a single show or movie

Open the YouTube TV app or website and find the show or movie you want to record. You'll see a plus icon (it looks like a +) next to the title. Tap or click that icon. The icon will fill in or change color to show the recording is saved. That's it—the show is now in your library.

If you're looking at the TV guide, you can record directly from there. Find the show in the schedule, and tap or click the plus icon next to it. You can also go to the show's detail page (by clicking on the title) and record from there instead. The recording starts when ready, even if the show is currently airing.

How to record all episodes of a series

When you record a TV series, YouTube TV automatically records every new episode as it airs. Find the show in the guide or search for it by name. Tap or click the plus icon next to the series title. YouTube TV will then record each episode when it broadcasts.

You'll see the series appear in your library under a section called Shows. New episodes show up there as they're recorded. If the series has already aired some episodes before you started recording, YouTube TV will not go back and record those—it only records episodes that air after you set up the recording.

Where to find your recordings

All your recordings live in your library. On the YouTube TV home screen, look for a Library button or tab—the exact location depends on whether you're using the app or website. Tap or click it to see everything you've recorded.

Your library is organized into sections: Shows holds all your series recordings, and Movies holds recorded films. You can also see Recordings as a separate section that lists everything in one place. Search for a specific show or movie by name if you have a lot of recordings.

How long YouTube TV keeps your recordings

YouTube TV stores each recording for nine months from the date it aired. After nine months, the recording automatically deletes. This applies whether you've watched it or not. The nine-month window gives you plenty of time to watch most shows, but it's not permanent storage.

If a show you recorded is about to expire, YouTube TV will send you a notification. You can delete a recording yourself at any time if you want to free up space, though space isn't something you need to manage the way you would on a DVR—YouTube TV handles storage on its servers.

Watching a recording on different devices

You can watch any recording on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Just sign into YouTube TV with the same account you used to make the recording. Open your library, find the recording, and press play. The recording will play from the beginning, or you can resume from where you left off if you've already started watching it.

If you start watching on one device and switch to another, YouTube TV remembers where you stopped. Open the same recording on your new device, and you'll see an option to resume or start over. This works across all devices—phone to TV, tablet to computer, and so on.

Stopping recordings and managing your library

To stop recording future episodes of a series, go to the show in your library and look for a menu or settings option (usually three dots or a gear icon). Select the option to stop recording or unfollow the series. YouTube TV will stop recording new episodes, but any episodes you've already recorded will stay in your library until they expire.

To delete a single recording, find it in your library, open it, and look for a delete or trash icon. Confirm the deletion. The recording will disappear from your library right away. You can delete recordings one at a time or manage them in bulk if your library gets large.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a show that's already started airing?

Yes. When you record a show, YouTube TV saves it to your library right away if it's currently airing or has aired recently. You can record a show even if the episode started an hour ago, and you'll be able to watch the whole thing from the beginning.

What happens if I record the same show on two different devices?

It doesn't matter. All your devices are signed into the same YouTube TV account, so there's only one recording. If you record a show on your phone and your TV, YouTube TV recognizes it's the same show and stores it once. You'll see it in your library on both devices.

Can I read a recording to watch offline?

YouTube TV does not let you read recordings to your device. You can only watch them through the YouTube TV app or website while connected to the internet. If you need to watch something without internet, you'll need to use a different service.

Do I need extra storage space for recordings?

No. YouTube TV stores all recordings in the cloud on its servers, not on your device. You don't need to worry about running out of space on your phone or computer, no matter how many shows you record.

Can I record shows on YouTube TV if I have a free trial?

Yes. Recording works the same way on a trial account as it does on a paid account. If your trial ends, your recordings will be deleted along with your account access, so make sure to watch what you want before the trial period ends.