YouTube TV does not have a built-in recording feature, but you can save shows to your library and watch them on demand through the YouTube TV app or website
YouTube TV works differently from cable DVR systems. Instead of recording individual broadcasts, the service stores thousands of shows and movies in a searchable library that you can watch whenever you want. When you add a show to your library, YouTube TV keeps new episodes available for you to watch for up to nine months after they air — you do not need to set up a recording or schedule anything in advance.
This approach means you get the benefit of recording without the hassle of managing storage space or worrying about whether a show was actually captured. The trade-off is that you cannot record movies or one-off events the way a traditional DVR would, and you are limited to what YouTube TV's library contains.
Key Takeaways
- Adding a show to your library in YouTube TV automatically saves new episodes for nine months after they air, without any manual recording setup.
- You can add shows by clicking the plus icon next to a program title in the guide, on a show's detail page, or while watching live TV.
- Your saved shows appear in the "Library" section of the YouTube TV app or website, organized by show name.
- YouTube TV does not record movies or special events — only series episodes that air on the channels you subscribe to.
- If you want to record content outside YouTube TV's library, you will need a separate screen recording tool or a different service.
How to add a show to your library
Open the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, or computer, or go to tv.youtube.com in a web browser. Navigate to the "Guide" tab to see the current TV schedule, or search for the show you want by name using the search icon at the top of the screen.
When you find the show, look for a plus icon (usually displayed next to the title or in the show's information panel). Tap or click that icon to add the show to your library. YouTube TV will then automatically record all new episodes of that show for the next nine months. You will see a checkmark or confirmation message indicating the show has been added.
You can also add a show while you are watching it live. A plus icon typically appears on the screen during playback — select it to save the show to your library for future episodes.
Where to find your saved shows
Open the YouTube TV app or website and select the "Library" tab. Your saved shows appear here in alphabetical order by title. Each show displays the number of unwatched episodes you have, so you can quickly see what is waiting for you.
Tap or click on any show to see all available episodes. YouTube TV lists them by air date, with the newest episodes at the top. Select an episode to start watching when ready. You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward through any episode just as you would with a live broadcast.
How long YouTube TV keeps your saved episodes
YouTube TV stores new episodes of your saved shows for nine months from their original air date. After nine months, the episode disappears from your library and you cannot watch it through YouTube TV anymore. This applies to all shows, regardless of the network or channel they air on.
If you want to watch an episode after the nine-month window closes, you will need to purchase it through a service like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video, or wait to see if the show becomes available through a different streaming service you subscribe to.
Removing shows from your library
Open your Library and find the show you want to remove. Tap or click the three-dot menu icon next to the show title, then select "Remove from library" or a similar option. YouTube TV will stop saving new episodes of that show, and it will disappear from your Library when ready.
Removing a show does not delete episodes you have already watched — it only stops YouTube TV from recording future episodes. If you change your mind later, you can add the show back to your library at any time, and new episodes will start saving again.
What YouTube TV cannot record
YouTube TV does not record movies, sports events, or one-time broadcasts. If a movie airs on one of your channels, you cannot add it to your library the way you would a TV series. Movies are available through YouTube TV's on-demand catalog, but only if the network has licensed them for that purpose — many do not.
For live sports, YouTube TV does not offer a recording option. You can watch games live or, in some cases, find replays or highlights in the on-demand section if the network has made them available. Check the show's detail page to see if a replay is offered.
Recording content outside YouTube TV
If you need to record something YouTube TV does not support — such as a movie, a special event, or content from another streaming service — you will need a separate tool. Screen recording software like OBS Studio (free, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux) or built-in tools like Windows 10's Game Bar or Mac's Screenshot app can capture video from your screen.
Keep in mind that recording copyrighted content for personal use exists in a legal gray area depending on your location and the content type. Check your local laws and the terms of service for the streaming platform before recording anything outside of YouTube TV's native library feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a show that already aired?
If the show is still within the nine-month window, YouTube TV may have it available on demand. Search for the show by name, and if it appears in the results, you can watch it when ready without adding it to your library. If it is older than nine months, it will not be available through YouTube TV.
What happens if I cancel YouTube TV and then resubscribe?
Your library and saved shows are tied to your YouTube account. If you cancel and resubscribe later, your library will still be there, but episodes that aired while you were not subscribed will not be available — YouTube TV only stores episodes from the time you are actively subscribed.
Can I read shows to watch offline?
YouTube TV does not offer offline read capability. You can only watch your saved shows through the app or website when you have an active internet connection. If you need offline viewing, you will need to use a different service or a screen recording tool.
Do I need to do anything to record a show I am watching right now?
No. If you have already added the show to your library, YouTube TV is automatically recording all future episodes. You do not need to do anything while watching live — the recording happens in the background.
Can I record multiple episodes of the same show at once?
When you add a show to your library, YouTube TV automatically saves all new episodes going forward. You cannot manually select individual episodes to record — it is all or nothing for each show.