Recording on YouTube TV works through the service's built-in DVR feature, which saves shows to your account for later viewing

YouTube TV includes cloud DVR storage at no extra cost. When you record a show, it stores on YouTube's servers rather than on a device in your home. You can record individual episodes, entire series, or both, and watch them from any device where you sign in to your YouTube TV account. Recordings stay available for up to nine months unless you delete them earlier.

The process takes seconds: find the show in the guide or search results, select the record button, and it's done. You don't need to set up a recording schedule or worry about storage space filling up. The DVR works the same way whether you're using the YouTube TV app on a phone, tablet, streaming device, or web browser.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV's DVR feature stores recordings in the cloud for up to nine months at no additional cost beyond your subscription.
  • You can record a single episode by tapping the record icon next to any show in the guide or search results.
  • Series recordings automatically capture new episodes going forward, so you don't have to record each one separately.
  • Recordings are available on all devices where you sign in to your YouTube TV account, including phones, tablets, and streaming devices.
  • You can delete recordings anytime to free up space, though YouTube TV does not limit how many shows you record at once.

How to Record a Single Episode

Open the YouTube TV app or website and navigate to the show you want to record. You can find it by browsing the guide, searching by title, or looking in a specific channel. When you locate the episode, look for the record icon—it appears as a circle with a dot inside, usually next to the show title or in the episode details.

Tap or click the record icon. The icon will fill in or change color to show the episode is now recorded. You'll see a confirmation message on screen. That's all you need to do. The episode will record automatically when it airs, and you can watch it anytime afterward by going to your Library and selecting the show.

Setting Up a Series Recording

Series recordings save you from recording each new episode one at a time. Find the show in the guide or search results, then look for the series record option. This is usually a button labeled "Record Series" or a similar phrase near the show title or in the episode details.

Tap or click to record the series. From that point forward, YouTube TV will automatically record every new episode that airs. You can still watch live if you want, but the recording will be waiting in your Library whenever you're ready. If you change your mind, you can stop the series recording at any time by going back to the show and selecting the option to cancel the series recording.

Finding and Watching Your Recordings

All your recordings appear in the Library section of YouTube TV. Open the app or website, tap the Library icon (usually at the bottom of the screen on mobile or in the left sidebar on web), and select "Recordings." You'll see a list of everything you've recorded, organized by show title.

Tap any recording to start watching. YouTube TV remembers where you stopped, so if you pause a recording and come back later, it will resume from that point. You can also delete recordings from this screen by tapping the three-dot menu next to a show and selecting delete. Deleted recordings are gone permanently, but you can always record the episode again if it airs again.

Managing Your Recording Storage

YouTube TV does not cap the number of recordings you can make or limit your storage space. You can record as many shows as you want without worrying about running out of room. However, recordings automatically delete after nine months if you don't watch or delete them yourself.

If you want to keep a recording longer, straightforward watch it or interact with it before the nine-month window closes. If you want to delete a recording to clean up your Library, go to the Recordings section, find the show, tap the menu, and select delete. This frees up nothing in a technical sense—YouTube TV's storage is unlimited—but it removes clutter from your account.

Recording While Traveling or Away From Home

Your recordings are stored in the cloud, so you can watch them from anywhere you have an internet connection. Sign in to your YouTube TV account on any device—a phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device—and your recordings will be there. You don't need to be on the same home network or connected to a specific device.

This means you can record shows at home and watch them while traveling, at work, or anywhere else. The only requirement is that you're signed in to the same YouTube TV account that made the recording. If you share your YouTube TV account with family members, everyone can see and watch the same recordings.

Common Recording Issues and Fixes

If a recording doesn't appear in your Library after it should have aired, check that you have an active YouTube TV subscription and that you're signed in to the correct account. Sometimes a show will fail to record if there's a technical issue with the broadcast or your internet connection at the time it aired. In these cases, you can try recording the episode again if it airs as a repeat.

If you can't find the record button on a show, it may be a movie, a special event, or a show that YouTube TV does not carry. Some content is not available for recording due to licensing restrictions. If you're having trouble with the app itself—like buttons not responding or recordings not showing up—try signing out and signing back in, or reinstalling the YouTube TV app on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record multiple shows at the same time?

Yes. YouTube TV's cloud DVR has no limit on simultaneous recordings. You can record as many shows as you want, even if they air at the exact same time. This is one advantage of cloud recording over traditional DVRs, which can only record a few channels at once.

What happens to my recordings if I cancel my YouTube TV subscription?

Your recordings become unavailable when ready when your subscription ends. If you reactivate your subscription later, your old recordings will not return. This is why it's a good idea to watch important recordings before canceling.

Can I read recordings to watch offline?

YouTube TV does not offer a read feature for recordings. You must stream them over the internet. If you need to watch without internet access, you'll need to watch live TV or use a different service that supports downloads.

Do I need a cable box or special equipment to record?

No. YouTube TV's DVR is entirely cloud-based. You don't need any hardware beyond the device you use to watch—a phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device. There's no box to set up or cables to connect.

Can I share my recordings with someone who doesn't have YouTube TV?

No. Recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account and can only be watched by people who sign in with that account. You cannot share individual recordings with people outside your household or account.