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 as "interested" or add it to your library, YouTube TV automatically records new episodes and stores them for up to nine months. You do not need to set up a separate DVR device or pay monthly fees — the storage is built into your membership.

The recordings live in your library, which you can access from any device where you are signed into YouTube TV. You can watch them whenever you want, skip commercials, and pick up where you left off if you stop partway through.

Key Takeaways

  • Mark any show as "interested" to record all new episodes automatically to your library.
  • Recordings stay in your library for nine months, then YouTube TV deletes them to make room for new content.
  • You can watch recordings on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV — whichever device you sign into.
  • Fast-forwarding through commercials works on most recordings, though some content may have ads you cannot skip.
  • If you run out of storage space, YouTube TV will delete your oldest recordings first to make room for new ones.

How to Mark a Show as Interested and Start Recording

Open YouTube TV on any device and find the show you want to record. This can be from the guide, a search result, or a show's detail page. Tap or click the heart icon or "Add to Library" button. YouTube TV will then record all new episodes of that show going forward.

If the show has already aired episodes this season, YouTube TV will not go back and record those — it only records new episodes from the moment you add it. If you want to watch earlier episodes, you may be able to find them on-demand through YouTube TV's library or through the network's own app.

You can also record a single episode instead of the whole series. Find the episode in the guide or search results, and select "Record This" or the record icon. That episode alone will be saved to your library.

Where to Find Your Recordings

Your recordings appear in the "Library" tab on YouTube TV's home screen. Look for the "Recordings" section, which shows all the shows and episodes you have saved. You can sort by date added, alphabetically, or by how recently you watched them.

If you are looking for a specific show, use the search bar at the top of YouTube TV. Search for the show name, and you will see both live episodes in the guide and any recordings you have already saved. Tap the recording to start watching when ready.

Understanding the Nine-Month Storage Window

YouTube TV keeps your recordings for nine months from the date they were recorded. After nine months, YouTube TV automatically deletes the recording to free up space for new content. This applies to all recordings equally — there is no way to extend the storage time or mark a recording as permanent.

If you know you want to keep a show longer, watch it and take notes on which episodes matter to you. Some networks also offer their own apps where you can stream recent episodes, which may be another way to revisit content after your YouTube TV recording expires.

If your library fills up before the nine-month mark, YouTube TV will delete your oldest recordings first to make room for new ones. You will get a notification when this happens, so you can watch something before it disappears if you want to keep it.

Watching Recordings on Different Devices

Sign into YouTube TV on your phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV, and your recordings follow you. Open the Library tab and select any recording to start watching. The playback controls are the same across all devices — you can pause, rewind, fast-forward, and adjust the playback speed.

If you start watching a recording on one device and switch to another, YouTube TV remembers where you stopped. Open the same recording on your new device, and you can pick up from that point. This works across phones, tablets, computers, and TVs as long as you are signed into the same YouTube account.

Skipping Commercials and Managing Playback

Most recordings on YouTube TV let you fast-forward through commercials. When you reach an ad break, the fast-forward button becomes active, and you can skip ahead. Some content, particularly sports and live events, may have ads that cannot be skipped — YouTube TV will pause playback and require you to watch those ads.

You can also adjust playback speed on most recordings. Use the settings menu during playback to watch at 0.75x, 1.25x, 1.5x, or 2x speed. This is useful if you want to catch up on a long episode quickly or slow down to catch dialogue you missed.

Removing Recordings from Your Library

If you want to delete a recording before the nine-month window ends, open the recording and look for a delete or remove option. On most devices, this is a trash icon or a three-dot menu. Confirm that you want to remove it, and YouTube TV will delete it when ready and free up that storage space.

If you want to stop recording a whole series, go to the show's detail page and tap "Remove from Library" or the heart icon again to unmark it. YouTube TV will stop recording new episodes, but any episodes you have already recorded will stay in your library until they expire or you delete them manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a show that is currently airing live?

Yes. If a show is airing right now, you can mark it as interested or record that specific episode. YouTube TV will save it to your library once the broadcast ends, and you can watch it whenever you want afterward.

What happens if I cancel my YouTube TV membership?

Your recordings are deleted when your membership ends. YouTube TV does not save them to your account if you resubscribe later. If you think you might cancel, watch your recordings before your final billing date.

Can I read recordings to watch offline?

YouTube TV does not offer offline downloads. You must be connected to the internet and signed into your account to watch recordings. This is different from some other streaming services that allow downloads.

Do I lose recordings if I change devices?

No. Your recordings are stored in the cloud, not on your device. As long as you sign into the same YouTube account on your new device, all your recordings will appear in your library.

Can multiple people in my household watch different recordings at the same time?

Yes, if they are on separate devices and signed into their own YouTube accounts on the same YouTube TV family plan. Each person has their own library and watch history, so they can record and watch different shows simultaneously.