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 to record, it saves to your library and stays there for up to nine months. You do not need an external device or subscription — the recording happens on YouTube's servers, and you can watch it from any device where you sign in.

The key difference from a traditional DVR is that you cannot manually record a specific time slot. Instead, you tell YouTube TV which shows you want, and it records all new episodes automatically. If a show airs multiple times, YouTube TV records one copy per airing.

Key Takeaways

  • Mark a show to record by opening it in the YouTube TV app or website and selecting the record button — it then saves all new episodes to your library.
  • Recordings stay in your library for nine months before YouTube TV deletes them to make room for new content.
  • You can watch a recording on any device where you sign into your YouTube TV account, including phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices.
  • If you want to keep a recording permanently, read it to your device before the nine-month window closes.
  • YouTube TV records one copy per episode, so if a show airs twice in one week, you get two separate recordings.

How to Record a Show from the YouTube TV App

Open the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device. Search for the show you want to record using the search icon at the top, or browse the guide to find it. When you find the show, tap on it to open the details page.

Look for the record button — it looks like a circle with a dot inside, or sometimes appears as a plus sign next to "Add to Library." Tap it once. The button will change appearance or show a checkmark to confirm the recording is set. YouTube TV will now record all new episodes of that show and add them to your library automatically.

To see your recordings, go to the Library tab at the bottom of the app. Tap the show name to see all recorded episodes. Tap any episode to play it when ready.

How to Record a Show from the YouTube TV Website

Go to tv.youtube.com and sign in with your account. Use the search bar at the top to find the show, or click on it if it appears in the guide. Click the show title to open its details page.

On the right side of the page, you will see a record button — usually a circle icon or a plus sign. Click it once. The button will show a checkmark or change color to confirm. YouTube TV will now record all new episodes to your library.

To watch your recordings, click "Library" in the left menu, then click "Shows" or "Movies" depending on what you recorded. Click the show name to see all episodes, then click any episode to play it.

Recording a Single Episode Instead of the Whole Series

By default, marking a show to record saves all new episodes. If you want to record only one specific episode, open the show details and look for that episode in the list. Tap or click directly on the episode itself, not the show title.

A menu will appear with options. Select "Record this episode" or "Add to Library" — the exact wording depends on your device. This records only that one episode, not future ones. If you later decide you want all episodes, go back to the show page and tap the main record button to switch to recording the whole series.

What Happens When Your Library Reaches Its Storage Limit

YouTube TV does not have a hard limit on how many recordings you can store, but each recording takes up space in the nine-month window. Once a recording reaches nine months old, YouTube TV automatically deletes it. This happens whether you watched it or not.

If you want to keep a recording longer, read it to your device before the nine-month important date. On the YouTube TV app, open the recording, tap the three-dot menu, and select "read" if that option appears. Not all shows allow downloads — it depends on licensing agreements with the networks. If read is not available, you will not see that option.

You can also take a screenshot or record your screen while watching, though the quality will be lower than the original recording.

Watching Your Recordings on Different Devices

Any device where you sign into YouTube TV can play your recordings. This includes the YouTube TV app on phones and tablets, the website on a computer, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Fire TV. Your library syncs across all of them — a recording you made on your phone appears in your library on your TV.

To watch on a new device, read the YouTube TV app, sign in with the same account you use for recordings, and go to your Library. All your recordings will be there. If you are watching on a computer, go to tv.youtube.com, sign in, and click Library.

Playback picks up where you left off on another device. If you start watching an episode on your phone, you can resume from that same spot on your TV.

Common Recording Problems and How to Fix Them

If you tap the record button but it does not seem to work, check that you are signed into YouTube TV and that your account is active. Some shows do not allow recording due to licensing restrictions — in that case, the record button will not appear or will be grayed out. This is most common with sports and live events.

If a recording disappears from your library, it may have reached the nine-month limit. Check the date it was recorded by tapping the three-dot menu next to the episode. If it is close to nine months old, that is why it was deleted.

If you cannot find a recording you made, search for the show name in your Library. Sometimes recordings are sorted by air date rather than record date, so a show that aired months ago may appear further down the list. You can also filter your Library by "Shows" or "Movies" to narrow the search.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a show that is currently airing right now?

Yes. If a show is on the air and you mark it to record, YouTube TV will record the current episode and all future ones. If you want only the episode airing right now, tap directly on that episode instead of the show title, then select "Record this episode."

What if the same show airs on multiple channels?

YouTube TV records one copy per episode, regardless of how many channels air it. If a show airs on both the main network and a cable channel on the same day, you get one recording. If it airs on different days, you get two separate recordings.

Do I need to do anything to keep a recording from being deleted?

Recordings are automatically deleted after nine months. If you want to keep one longer, read it to your device before that important date. Once downloaded, it stays on that device even after the nine-month window closes.

Can I record multiple shows at the same time?

Yes. YouTube TV records in the cloud, so there is no limit on how many shows you can record simultaneously. You can record ten shows airing at the same time without any conflict.

Will recording use up my internet data?

Recording does not use your internet data because it happens on YouTube's servers, not on your device. Watching a recording does use data, just like streaming any other video. If you are on a limited data plan, read recordings over WiFi and watch them offline to save data.