YouTube TV's Cloud DVR Records Automatically to Your Library
YouTube TV includes cloud storage for recordings at no extra cost. When you mark a show or game as a favorite, YouTube TV automatically records new episodes and stores them for up to nine months. You do not need to set up a recording schedule or manage storage space on your device — the recordings live in the cloud and appear in your library on any device where you sign in.
The simplest way to record is to add a show to your library before the game or episode airs. YouTube TV then captures it and keeps it available until the nine-month window closes. If you miss marking it beforehand, you can still record individual games or episodes manually, though the storage window is shorter for one-off recordings.
Key Takeaways
- Mark a show as a favorite before it airs, and YouTube TV automatically records all new episodes for nine months at no extra charge.
- To record a single game or episode, select "Save" or "Add to Library" from the show details page, and YouTube TV captures it within minutes.
- Recordings appear in your Library tab on the YouTube TV app or website and sync across all your signed-in devices.
- You can delete recordings manually to free up space, though YouTube TV removes them automatically after nine months.
- YouTube TV does not record pay-per-view events or some premium sports packages, so check the channel listing before the game starts.
How to Add a Show to Your Library Before It Airs
Open the YouTube TV app or website and search for the show or sports team you want to record. On the show's main page, look for a heart icon or "Add to Library" button and tap or click it. The icon fills in or changes color to show the show is now in your library.
YouTube TV begins recording the next new episode automatically. If the show airs multiple times per week — like a sports league with games on different days — YouTube TV records each one. You do not choose which games or episodes to record; the system captures all new airings until you remove the show from your library.
To stop recording a show, go back to its page and tap the filled heart icon or "Remove from Library" button. YouTube TV stops recording future episodes but keeps any recordings already made until the nine-month window closes.
Recording a Single Game or Episode You Almost Missed
If a game is airing soon and you have not added the show to your library, you can still record it. Find the game in the guide or search for it, then select "Save" or "Add to Library" from the show details. YouTube TV records the game if it has not finished airing yet.
Single recordings saved this way stay in your library for a shorter time than shows added before they air — typically a few weeks rather than nine months. If you want to keep a recording longer, add the entire show to your library so future episodes get the full nine-month window.
You can also record a game that is currently playing. Open the show page and tap the save button; YouTube TV captures the rest of the broadcast from that moment forward. You will not have the beginning of the game, but you can rewind and watch from where the recording started.
Finding and Playing Your Recordings
Open the YouTube TV app or website and tap or click the "Library" tab at the bottom or side of the screen. Your recorded shows and games appear here, organized by show name. Tap a show to see all your recordings of it, with the most recent at the top.
Select a recording to play it. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward just as you would with a live broadcast. If you are watching on a phone or tablet, you can cast the recording to a TV using Chromecast or AirPlay if your TV supports it.
Recordings sync across devices. If you start watching a game on your phone, you can pick up where you left off on your TV or computer. YouTube TV remembers your position in the recording on each device.
Deleting Recordings and Managing Your Library
To delete a single recording, open it in your library, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Delete." The recording is removed when ready. Deleting one episode does not stop YouTube TV from recording future episodes if the show is still in your library.
To delete all recordings of a show and stop recording future episodes, go to the show's main page and remove it from your library. This stops new recordings and clears all saved episodes of that show.
YouTube TV automatically deletes recordings after nine months, so you do not have to manage storage limits. If you want to keep a recording longer, read it to your device if YouTube TV offers that option for that particular show — though most sports broadcasts do not support downloading.
What You Cannot Record on YouTube TV
YouTube TV does not record pay-per-view events, even if they air on a channel you subscribe to. These include boxing matches, wrestling events, and some premium sports broadcasts that require a separate purchase. The show page will indicate if an event is pay-per-view before it airs.
Some sports packages, like NFL RedZone or specialty sports channels, may have restrictions on recording. Check the channel listing or show details before the game starts to see if recording is available. If the record button is grayed out or missing, that broadcast cannot be recorded through YouTube TV.
YouTube TV also does not record on-demand content or shows you access through the library after they have aired. Only live broadcasts and scheduled airings can be recorded.
Troubleshooting Recording Problems
If a game did not record, check whether your YouTube TV account has an active subscription. Recordings require an active membership; if your account lapses, recordings are not captured. Renew your subscription to resume recording.
If you added a show to your library but the recording did not appear, wait a few minutes — YouTube TV sometimes takes time to process and display new recordings. Refresh the app or website to see if it appears. If the show is still missing after 30 minutes, check whether the broadcast actually aired or was rescheduled.
If you cannot find a recording in your library, search for the show by name. Recordings are organized by show, so if you recorded a game from a sports league, look under the team or league name, not the date of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does YouTube TV keep my recordings?
Recordings of shows you added to your library stay for nine months. Single recordings you saved without adding the show to your library typically stay for a few weeks. YouTube TV deletes them automatically; you do not have to do anything.
Can I record multiple games at the same time?
Yes. YouTube TV records in the cloud, so there is no limit to how many games or shows can record simultaneously. You can watch one game live while three others record at the same time.
Do I need a DVR box or external hard drive to record on YouTube TV?
No. All recordings are stored in YouTube's cloud servers. You do not need any extra equipment — just an active YouTube TV subscription and an internet connection to access your recordings.
Can I share my recordings with someone else on my YouTube TV account?
Recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account and visible to anyone who signs into that account on a device. If someone else has their own YouTube TV account, they cannot see your recordings unless they sign into your account.
What happens to my recordings if I cancel YouTube TV?
Your recordings are deleted when your subscription ends. If you resubscribe later, your old recordings will not return. Save any recordings you want to keep before canceling.