Recording shows on YouTube TV works through the service's built-in DVR feature, which stores your recordings in the cloud instead of on a physical device

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost, so you can record as many shows as you want without worrying about running out of space. When you record a program, it stays available for nine months before YouTube TV automatically deletes it. You can watch your recordings on any device where you're signed into your YouTube TV account — phone, tablet, computer, or TV — and pick up where you left off on another device.

The recording process itself takes just a few taps or clicks. You don't need any external equipment, and there's no setup beyond what you already have with your YouTube TV subscription. The main limitation is that you can only record shows that air on the live channels included in your plan; you cannot record content from YouTube TV's on-demand library, which is already available to watch anytime.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV's cloud DVR stores unlimited recordings for nine months at no extra charge, and you can watch them on any device signed into your account.
  • You record a show by selecting it in the guide or on a show's details page and tapping the record button, which takes seconds.
  • You can set up automatic recording for entire series so you don't have to record each episode individually.
  • Recordings are deleted after nine months, but you can manually delete them sooner if you want to clear space for other shows.
  • Some shows may have restrictions that prevent recording, though this is rare and usually noted on the show's details page.

How to record a single show

Open the YouTube TV app or website and find the show you want to record. You can search for it by name, browse the live guide, or find it on a channel's schedule. Once you've located the show, open its details page by tapping or clicking on it.

Look for the record button — it's a circle icon that looks like a filled dot, usually displayed near the show's title or air time. Tap or click this button once. The button will change appearance (often turning blue or showing a checkmark) to confirm the recording is set. That's all you need to do. YouTube TV will record the show when it airs, and the recording will appear in your library within a few minutes of the broadcast ending.

Setting up automatic series recording

If you watch a show regularly, you can record every new episode automatically instead of recording each one by hand. Find the show in the guide or search results and open its details page. Look for an option that says "Record series" or "Add series to library" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on whether you're using the app or website.

Tap or click this option, and YouTube TV will record all new episodes going forward. You'll receive a notification when each new episode is recorded. If the show has already aired episodes this season, YouTube TV may offer to add those to your library as well, though this depends on the show and how long it's been available. You can stop recording a series anytime by opening the show's page again and selecting the option to remove it from your library.

Finding and playing your recordings

Your recordings are stored in the Library section of YouTube TV. On the app, tap the Library icon at the bottom of the screen. On the website, click Library in the left sidebar. All your recorded shows appear here, organized by title.

Tap or click any recording to start playing it. You can fast-forward, rewind, and pause just like you would with a live broadcast. If you started watching a recording on one device and want to continue on another, YouTube TV remembers where you stopped. Open the same recording on your phone, tablet, or TV, and it will jump to that spot automatically.

Managing your recorded shows

YouTube TV automatically deletes recordings after nine months, but you can remove them sooner if you want. Open the recording in your Library, and look for a delete option — usually a trash icon or a menu with more options. Tap or click it to delete the recording when ready. This frees up space, though space is not a practical concern since YouTube TV offers unlimited storage.

If you have a series recording set up and want to delete individual episodes without stopping the series recording, you can do that too. Find the episode in your Library, delete it, and future episodes will continue to record. If you want to stop recording a series entirely, go to the show's main page and remove the series recording.

Restrictions and shows you cannot record

Most shows on YouTube TV can be recorded, but a small number have restrictions set by the network or content provider. If a show cannot be recorded, you'll see a message on its details page explaining this. These restrictions are rare and usually explore to special events or premium content.

You also cannot record shows from YouTube TV's on-demand library — only live broadcasts and scheduled programs. If a show is available on-demand, you can watch it anytime without recording, so recording isn't necessary. Check whether a show is available on-demand before trying to record it; if it is, you may not need to record at all.

Troubleshooting common recording problems

If a show didn't record when you expected it to, first check that you were signed into the correct YouTube TV account. Recordings only appear on the account that made them, so if you have multiple accounts, make sure you're looking in the right Library. Also verify that the show actually aired — if it was preempted or rescheduled, YouTube TV won't record it unless you update your recording request for the new time.

If you set up a series recording but some episodes didn't record, check whether those episodes were available on-demand instead. YouTube TV sometimes makes episodes available through the on-demand library rather than airing them live, and on-demand episodes don't get recorded automatically. You can still watch them through the on-demand section without needing a recording. If a show's details page says it cannot be recorded, there's no workaround — you'll need to watch it on-demand or through another method if available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do recordings stay in my library?

YouTube TV keeps your recordings for nine months from the date they were recorded. After nine months, the recording is automatically deleted. You can delete recordings sooner if you want, but there's no way to keep a recording longer than nine months.

Can I record shows while I'm traveling or away from home?

Yes. Since YouTube TV stores recordings in the cloud, you can record shows and watch them from anywhere as long as you're signed into your account. You don't need to be home or on a specific device to record.

What happens if I cancel my YouTube TV subscription?

Your recordings are deleted when your subscription ends. If you resubscribe later, your old recordings won't come back. This is why it's a good idea to delete recordings you want to keep permanently before canceling.

Can I read recordings to watch offline?

YouTube TV does not allow you to read recordings to your device. You can only stream them while connected to the internet. Some shows may be available for offline read through YouTube TV's on-demand library, but this is separate from recordings.

Do I need a cable box or external DVR to record shows?

No. YouTube TV's cloud DVR is built into the service, so you don't need any extra equipment. All you need is the YouTube TV app or website and an internet connection.