YouTube TV's Cloud DVR Records Automatically

YouTube TV includes cloud storage for recordings at no extra cost — you don't buy a separate DVR box or pay monthly fees. When you add a show to your library, YouTube TV records new episodes automatically and stores them in the cloud for up to nine months. You can watch recordings on any device where you're signed into your YouTube TV account.

The system works differently from cable DVR because there's no physical box in your home and no storage limit to worry about. You're not choosing between recording one show or another. Instead, you're telling YouTube TV which shows matter to you, and it handles the recording in the background.

Key Takeaways

  • Add a show to your library on the YouTube TV app or website, and new episodes record automatically to the cloud at no extra cost.
  • Recordings stay available for nine months, then YouTube TV deletes them to make room for new content.
  • You can watch your recordings on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices as long as you're signed into your YouTube TV account.
  • If you want to record a single episode instead of the whole series, you can do that from the show's detail page or while watching live.
  • YouTube TV does not let you read recordings to keep permanently or transfer them to another service.

How to Add a Show to Your Library

Open the YouTube TV app or go to tv.youtube.com on your computer. Search for the show you want to record using the search bar at the top. When you find it, open the show's page and look for the plus sign (+) icon or Add to Library button — the exact location depends on which device you're using, but it's always near the show's title.

Tap or click that button. YouTube TV will now record all new episodes of that show and add them to your library automatically. You'll see a checkmark or confirmation that the show has been added. From that point forward, whenever a new episode airs, it records to your account without you doing anything else.

To find your recordings later, open the YouTube TV app and look for the Library tab or section — this is where all your added shows and recorded episodes live. The exact name and location varies by device, but it's always one of the main navigation options.

Recording a Single Episode Instead of a Series

If you only want to record one episode rather than the entire series, you have two options. While watching live or looking at the show's schedule, find the specific episode and tap or click the plus sign (+) next to just that episode. This records only that one episode without adding the whole series to your library.

You can also go to the show's main page, scroll down to see upcoming episodes, and add individual ones from there. Single recordings appear in your library just like series recordings do, and they follow the same nine-month storage window.

Where Your Recordings Are Stored and How Long They Last

All your recordings live in YouTube TV's cloud servers, not on a device in your home. This means you can start watching a recording on your phone, pause it, and pick up where you left off on your TV or computer. Your account keeps track of where you stopped.

YouTube TV stores recordings for nine months from the air date. After nine months, the recording is automatically deleted to make room for new content. If you know you want to keep a show longer, you'll need to watch it before that window closes. YouTube TV does not offer a way to extend the storage time or read recordings permanently.

Watching Your Recordings on Different Devices

You can watch recordings on the YouTube TV app for phones and tablets, the YouTube TV website on a computer, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Fire TV. Sign into the same YouTube account on each device, and your library and recordings appear everywhere.

If you're away from home, you can still watch your recordings as long as you have internet access and you're signed into your YouTube TV account. YouTube TV does not require you to be on your home network like some cable DVR systems do.

Removing Shows from Your Library

To stop recording a show, open your library, find the show, and look for a checkmark icon or Remove option. Tap or click it, and YouTube TV will stop recording new episodes. Episodes you've already recorded stay in your library until the nine-month window expires — removing the show from your library doesn't delete existing recordings when ready.

If you want to delete a single recording before the nine months are up, open that episode and look for a delete or trash icon. This removes just that episode from your library.

What You Cannot Do With YouTube TV Recordings

YouTube TV recordings stay within the YouTube TV system. You cannot read them to your computer or phone to keep permanently, and you cannot transfer them to another service or device. If you cancel your YouTube TV subscription, your recordings disappear along with your account access.

You also cannot share recordings with people outside your household. Only people who are part of your YouTube TV account can watch your library. YouTube TV allows multiple people to use one account, but each person sees the same library and recordings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I record the same show on multiple devices?

YouTube TV stores one copy of each recording in the cloud, not separate copies on each device. If you add a show to your library on your phone and your TV, you're still only recording it once. All your devices access the same recording from the cloud.

Can I record a show that already aired?

No, YouTube TV only records new episodes going forward from the moment you add the show to your library. If you want to watch an older episode, check if YouTube TV offers it on-demand in the show's catalog, or look for it on the network's website or another streaming service.

Do I need a separate subscription or payment to use the DVR feature?

No, cloud DVR recording is included with every YouTube TV subscription at no extra cost. There are no additional fees, storage limits, or monthly charges for using the recording feature.

How many shows can I record at the same time?

YouTube TV can record as many shows as you want simultaneously because the recordings happen in the cloud, not on a physical device. You're not limited by the number of tuners like cable DVR systems are.

Can I fast-forward through commercials in my recordings?

Yes, you can fast-forward, rewind, and skip through any part of a recording. YouTube TV does not lock or restrict playback controls on recorded content.