YouTube TV's DVR Records Unlimited Shows at No Extra Cost
YouTube TV includes a cloud DVR that lets you record any show or movie from the live channels you subscribe to. Unlike traditional DVRs that fill up a hard drive, your recordings live in the cloud and stay available for up to nine months. You don't pay extra for this feature — it comes with your YouTube TV membership.
The DVR works automatically for some content. When you add a show to your library, YouTube TV records all future episodes. You can also record individual episodes or movies one at a time. Recordings appear in a dedicated section on your YouTube TV home screen, and you can watch them on any device where you're signed in.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV records shows to the cloud automatically when you add them to your library, with no storage limits or extra fees.
- Individual recordings stay available for nine months from the air date, then disappear automatically.
- You can record a show from the guide, from a channel page, or by searching for the title — each method takes about two taps.
- Recordings sync across all your devices, so you can start watching on your phone and finish on your TV.
- You can delete recordings anytime to clear space, though YouTube TV doesn't have a storage limit like older DVRs do.
How to Record a Show or Movie
Open YouTube TV and find the show or movie you want to record. You can search for it by name, browse the live guide, or visit the channel page. Once you find it, look for the record button — it looks like a circle with a dot inside, usually shown next to the title or air time.
Tap the record button. A menu appears asking whether you want to record just this episode or the entire series. If you choose the series, YouTube TV records all future episodes automatically and adds them to your library. If you choose a single episode, only that one records. Either way, the button changes color (usually to blue or red) to show the recording is set.
The recording starts at the scheduled air time. You don't need to be watching YouTube TV when it happens — the system records in the background. If you're watching the show live when you set the recording, it still records the full episode from the beginning.
Finding and Playing Your Recordings
Your recordings appear in the Library section of YouTube TV. On the home screen, look for a tab or menu item labeled "Library" or "My Library" — the exact location depends on whether you're using the app on a phone, tablet, TV, or web browser. Tap it to see all your recordings organized by show name.
Find the show or movie you want to watch and tap it. A list of available episodes appears, with the most recent at the top. Tap any episode to start playing. YouTube TV remembers where you stopped, so if you pause partway through, you can resume from that spot on any device.
Recordings appear in the same order as they aired. If you recorded multiple seasons of a show, they're grouped together, making it straightforward to find older episodes you saved months ago.
Recording an Entire Series Versus Single Episodes
When you record a series, YouTube TV automatically captures every new episode going forward. This is useful for shows that air regularly — you set it once and never miss an episode. The system records new episodes even if you're not watching YouTube TV, and they appear in your library within a few hours of airing.
Recording a single episode is better for one-time events, movies, or shows you're not sure you'll want to keep watching. You can always add the series to your library later if you decide you like it. Both options use the same record button — the menu just asks you to choose which one you want.
If you record a series and later decide you don't want new episodes, you can remove it from your library. This stops future recordings but doesn't delete episodes you've already saved.
How Long Recordings Stay Available
YouTube TV keeps recordings for up to nine months from the original air date. After nine months, the recording disappears automatically. This is different from a traditional DVR, which stores recordings until you delete them or run out of space.
The nine-month window gives you plenty of time to watch most shows. If you have a recording you want to keep longer, you can't extend it, but you can note the air date and re-record it if it airs again as a rerun. Some shows repeat regularly, so checking the guide a few weeks before the nine-month mark can help you catch it again.
YouTube TV doesn't show you a countdown timer on individual recordings, so it's worth noting when you save something you really want to keep. If you're unsure whether you'll watch it soon, delete it to make room for shows you're more likely to watch now.
Deleting Recordings and Managing Your Library
To delete a recording, open your library and find the show or episode. Tap and hold on it (or right-click on a computer), and a menu appears with a delete option. Tap delete to remove it when ready. The recording disappears from your library and frees up space, though YouTube TV doesn't have a storage limit like older DVRs, so you don't need to delete recordings to make room for new ones.
You can delete individual episodes or entire series. If you delete a series, it stops recording new episodes and removes all saved episodes from your library. If you delete just one episode, the series continues recording future episodes normally.
Deleting a recording is permanent — you can't undo it. If you think you might want to watch it later, leave it in your library instead. The nine-month expiration means it will disappear on its own eventually if you don't watch it.
Recording When You're Away or Busy
You don't need to be home or actively using YouTube TV for recordings to work. Set up your recordings anytime — through the app, on your TV, or on a web browser — and the system records them automatically at the scheduled air time. This is especially useful for shows that air while you're at work, asleep, or away from home.
If you're traveling and want to record shows while you're gone, make sure you're signed into your YouTube TV account before you leave. Recordings are tied to your account, not to a specific device, so they appear in your library no matter where you are when they air. You can watch them later on any device you use to sign in.
There's no limit to how many shows you can record at once. YouTube TV can record multiple channels simultaneously, so you don't have to choose between two shows airing at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a show that's already airing right now?
Yes. If you tap the record button while a show is currently on the air, YouTube TV records it from the beginning, even if you're joining partway through. You can start watching when ready or wait until it finishes and watch the full episode from your library.
What happens if I cancel my YouTube TV subscription?
Your recordings disappear when your subscription ends. You can't read them or save them to another service. If you resubscribe later, your old recordings don't come back — you'd need to re-record shows you want to watch.
Can I record movies the same way as TV shows?
Yes. Movies appear in the guide and search results just like shows. Tap the record button to save a movie, and it appears in your library. Movies also expire after nine months, so if you want to watch a movie you recorded, do it within that window.
Do I need a separate device or box to use the DVR?
No. The DVR is built into YouTube TV and works on any device — your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. You don't need to buy or set up any extra hardware. As long as you're signed into your YouTube TV account, you can record and watch anywhere.
Can I share my recordings with someone else on my account?
Recordings are available to anyone who signs into your YouTube TV account on a shared device or their own device. However, YouTube TV's terms limit how many people can watch at once — usually two or three streams depending on your plan. Recordings count toward that limit, so if someone is watching a recording, it uses one of your simultaneous streams.