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 saved, YouTube TV records new episodes automatically and stores them for up to nine months. You do not need a separate DVR box or external hard drive — the recordings live in your YouTube TV account and play on any device where you sign in.
The system works differently than traditional cable DVR. You are not recording to a device in your home. Instead, YouTube TV's servers record the broadcast and hold it for you. This means you can start watching on your phone, pause, and resume on your TV without any setup.
Key Takeaways
- Mark a show as saved in the YouTube TV app or website, and new episodes record automatically to your library.
- Recordings stay in your account for nine months, then YouTube TV deletes them to make room for new content.
- You can watch recordings on any device where you sign in to YouTube TV — phone, tablet, TV, or computer.
- Recordings count toward your account only; other household members see only the shows they marked as saved.
How to Save a Show for Automatic Recording
Open the YouTube TV app or go to youtube.com/tv in a web browser and sign in. Search for the show you want to record or browse to it in the guide.
Tap or click the show title to open its details page. Look for a heart icon or a "Save" button — the exact location depends on whether you are on mobile or desktop, but it is always near the show name. Tap or click it. The icon fills in or changes color to show the show is now saved.
From that moment forward, YouTube TV records every new episode and adds it to your library. You do not need to do anything else. If the show airs multiple times per week, all new airings record automatically.
Where to Find and Watch Your Recordings
Open YouTube TV and look for the "Library" tab or section — on mobile it is usually at the bottom of the screen, and on desktop it is in the left sidebar. Tap or click "Library."
You will see a list of all shows you have saved. Tap or click the show name to see all recorded episodes. The newest episodes appear at the top. Tap or click an episode to start watching it when ready. YouTube TV plays it from the beginning, or you can resume from where you stopped if you were watching before.
Recordings are tied to your account, not your household. If someone else in your home signs in with their own account, they will not see your saved shows or recordings. Each person in the household can save different shows and build their own library.
How Long Recordings Stay in Your Account
YouTube TV keeps recordings for nine months from the air date. After nine months, the recording automatically deletes. This is different from traditional cable DVR, which stores recordings until you manually delete them or run out of space.
The nine-month window gives you time to watch most shows without pressure. If you know you want to keep a recording longer, you can read it to your device on the YouTube TV mobile app before the nine months are up — though this option is not available on all shows or in all regions.
If a show is cancelled or does not air new episodes, the old recordings still stay for nine months. YouTube TV does not delete them early just because the show ended.
Recording Limits and What Happens When Storage Is Full
YouTube TV does not set a hard limit on how many shows you can save or how many episodes you can record. However, the nine-month deletion window means old recordings make room for new ones automatically.
If you save 50 shows and they all air weekly, you will have hundreds of episodes in your library at any given time. YouTube TV handles this without asking you to delete anything. The oldest episodes disappear after nine months, and new ones take their place.
The only practical limit is your own patience — if you save too many shows, finding the one you want to watch becomes harder. YouTube TV does not organize recordings by genre or let you create folders, so a very long list can be unwieldy.
Recording Sports, News, and One-Time Events
Saving a sports team or news program works the same way as saving a regular show. Mark the team's games or the news program as saved, and YouTube TV records every broadcast. This is useful for sports fans who want to watch games on their own schedule.
For one-time events like award shows, live concerts, or special broadcasts, you can still save them, but YouTube TV only records that single airing. Once it airs and you watch it, the recording stays in your library for nine months. If the event airs again the next year, you would need to save it again to record the new broadcast.
Troubleshooting Recordings That Do Not Appear
If you saved a show but do not see a recording in your library, check whether the show has actually aired since you saved it. YouTube TV does not record past episodes — it only records new broadcasts going forward. If you save a show on Wednesday and it last aired on Tuesday, you will not see a recording until the next episode airs.
Some shows air on a schedule that is not weekly. A show might air once a month or only during certain seasons. Check the show's details page to see when the next episode is scheduled. YouTube TV will record it when it airs.
If a show is marked as saved but you still do not see any recordings after several weeks, sign out of YouTube TV completely and sign back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to display new recordings. If the problem continues, check whether your YouTube TV membership is active and whether you are signed in to the correct account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a show that already aired?
No. YouTube TV only records new broadcasts going forward from the moment you save the show. If you want to watch an older episode, check whether it is available on-demand through YouTube TV or the network's app. Some shows offer back episodes for free or through a paid subscription.
What happens to my recordings if I cancel YouTube TV?
Your recordings delete when ready when your membership ends. YouTube TV does not save them or let you read them after cancellation. If you think you might cancel, read any recordings you want to keep before your final billing date.
Can I share my recordings with someone outside my household?
No. Recordings are part of your YouTube TV account and only play when you sign in. Other household members can watch recordings if they sign in to their own accounts and save the same shows, but they will have their own separate recordings.
Do I need to do anything special to record a show that airs at 3 a.m.?
No. YouTube TV records the broadcast regardless of what time it airs or whether you are awake. The recording appears in your library the next time you open the app, ready to watch whenever you want.
Can I delete a recording before the nine months are up?
Yes. Open the recording in your library, look for a delete or trash icon, and tap or click it. The recording removes when ready. You can still watch future episodes of the same show if it is still marked as saved.