YouTube TV's built-in recording feature stores programs to your library automatically
YouTube TV includes a library feature that records programs you mark for later viewing. When you add a show or movie to your library, YouTube TV stores it for you to watch anytime — you do not need a separate DVR device or service. The recording stays in your library until you delete it, and you can watch it on any device where you are signed into your YouTube TV account.
The process is straightforward: find the program in the YouTube TV guide or search results, select it, and choose the option to add it to your library. YouTube TV then records that episode and any future episodes if it is a series. You can also set up automatic recording for entire shows so that new episodes are captured without you having to mark each one individually.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV records programs to your library when you add them, with no extra DVR fee or storage limit to worry about.
- You can record a single episode or set up automatic recording for an entire series so future episodes are captured as they air.
- Recorded programs stay in your library indefinitely until you delete them, and you can watch them on any device signed into your account.
- YouTube TV stores recordings on its servers, not on your home equipment, so you do not need a physical DVR box or hard drive.
How to record a single episode or movie
Open YouTube TV on any device and search for or browse to the program you want to record. When you find it, select the program title or poster image to open its details page. Look for an option labeled "Add to Library," "Save," or a plus icon — the exact label depends on which device you are using, but the button is usually near the program name or air time.
Tap or click that button, and YouTube TV adds the program to your library. If the program has not aired yet, YouTube TV will record it when it broadcasts. If it has already aired, YouTube TV will add the recorded version to your library if it is available. You will see a confirmation message or a checkmark next to the program title indicating it has been saved.
How to record all episodes of a series automatically
Find the show in the YouTube TV guide or search. Open the show's main page — not a single episode, but the series page itself. You will see an option to "Add Series to Library" or "Follow Series." Select that option, and YouTube TV will automatically record every new episode as it airs.
Once you have set up series recording, each new episode appears in your library shortly after it broadcasts. You do not have to do anything else. If you change your mind, you can remove the series from your library at any time, and YouTube TV will stop recording new episodes. Episodes you have already recorded will remain in your library unless you delete them individually.
Where to find your recorded programs
Open YouTube TV and look for a "Library" tab or section — this is usually at the bottom of the screen on phones and tablets, or in a sidebar menu on computers and streaming devices. Your library shows all programs you have added, organized by type (shows, movies, sports) or by when you added them.
Scroll through your library to find what you want to watch. Select any program to start playing it. YouTube TV remembers where you stopped watching, so if you pause a recorded show and come back later, it will resume from that point. You can also delete programs from your library by selecting them and choosing "Remove from Library" — this frees up space, though YouTube TV does not have a storage limit the way a physical DVR does.
Recording limits and what you should know
YouTube TV does not limit how many programs you can record or how long you can keep them. You can record dozens of shows, entire seasons, or movies, and they will all stay in your library until you delete them. This is different from some cable DVRs, which have a set number of hours of storage.
Recorded programs are stored on YouTube TV's servers, not on your home internet connection or a device in your house. This means you can watch your recordings on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV — whichever device you sign into. It also means your recordings are not affected if your home internet goes down; you can still watch them on a device with a working connection.
Some programs, particularly live sports or breaking news, may not be available to record or may have restrictions on how long they stay in your library. YouTube TV will show you whether a program can be recorded before you try to add it.
Watching recorded programs on different devices
Because your recordings are stored in your YouTube TV account, not on a specific device, you can start watching on one device and finish on another. Start a recorded show on your TV, pause it, and resume it on your phone the next day — YouTube TV keeps track of where you stopped.
You can watch recorded programs on any device where you are signed into your YouTube TV account: phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers running any web browser, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, and other supported devices. The YouTube TV app is free to read on all these platforms; you only pay for the YouTube TV subscription itself.
Deleting recorded programs from your library
Open your library and find the program you want to remove. Select it and look for a "Remove from Library," "Delete," or trash icon. Confirm the deletion, and the program is removed from your library. This action is permanent — you cannot undo it, so make sure you have finished watching if you want to keep it.
Deleting a program from your library does not affect other recordings. If you have recorded multiple episodes of a show, deleting one episode does not delete the others. If you have set up automatic recording for a series, deleting one episode does not stop YouTube TV from recording future episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a program that is currently airing right now?
Yes. If you add a program to your library while it is still broadcasting, YouTube TV will record the rest of the episode from that point forward. You will not get the beginning if you add it after it has started, but you will get everything from when you added it onward. For a complete recording, add the program to your library before it starts airing.
What happens to my recordings if I cancel my YouTube TV subscription?
Your recordings are deleted when your subscription ends. YouTube TV does not store them after you stop paying. If you think you might cancel, read or watch your recordings before your subscription expires.
Can I share my recorded programs with someone else on a different YouTube TV account?
No. Recordings are tied to the YouTube TV account that recorded them. Someone else would need to sign into your account to watch your recordings, or they would need their own YouTube TV subscription to record their own programs.
Do I need to do anything special to record sports games or live events?
No. Add sports games and live events to your library the same way you would add any other program. YouTube TV will record them when they air. Some live events may have restrictions on how long they stay in your library, but the recording process is the same.
Can I record a program and watch it offline?
YouTube TV recordings require an internet connection to watch. You cannot read them to a device for offline viewing. As long as you have internet access, you can stream your recordings from YouTube TV's servers.