YouTube TV's DVR works automatically — every show you mark saves to the cloud for nine months, and you can watch it anytime on any device
YouTube TV records programs to a cloud storage system rather than a physical box. When you mark a show or series as saved, YouTube TV stores it for nine months at no extra cost. You can then watch the recording from your phone, tablet, computer, or TV, and you can fast-forward through commercials on most recordings.
The DVR is built into your account, so there is no setup required. You do not need to schedule recordings manually — you save shows the same way you would on traditional cable, but the system handles the rest.
Key Takeaways
- Saving a show to your library is the same action as recording it; YouTube TV stores the recording in the cloud for nine months.
- You can save individual episodes or entire series, and the system will automatically record new episodes of a series you have saved.
- Recordings are available on all your devices — phone, tablet, computer, and TV — as long as you are signed into your YouTube TV account.
- You can fast-forward through commercials on most recordings, though some content may have ads you cannot skip.
- Saved shows disappear after nine months, but you can re-save a show at any time to extend its storage.
How to save a show or movie
Open YouTube TV on any device and find the show or movie you want to record. On the show's details page, look for the Save button — it usually appears as a plus sign or bookmark icon. Tap or click it once. The button will change appearance (often to a checkmark or filled icon) to show the save was successful.
If you are browsing the guide or a search result, you can also save directly from the listing without opening the full details page. The save button works the same way from either location.
How to save an entire series
When you save a series rather than a single episode, YouTube TV automatically records every new episode as it airs. Open the series page and tap or click the Save series button. From that point forward, each new episode will be recorded and added to your library.
You can stop recording a series at any time by opening the series page again and clicking the save button a second time to unsave it. Episodes you have already recorded will remain in your library until the nine-month window expires, even if you unsave the series.
Where to find your recordings
All your saved shows and movies appear in the Library section of YouTube TV. On the home screen, look for the Library tab or menu option — the exact location depends on which device you are using. Your library is organized by show name, and you can scroll through to find what you want to watch.
You can also search for a show by name using YouTube TV's search function. If you have saved it, the recording will appear in the search results with a checkmark or other indicator showing it is in your library.
How to watch a recording
Open your Library and find the show you want to watch. Tap or click on it to open the episode list or details page. Select the episode you want to watch and press play. The recording will start from the beginning, and you can pause, rewind, or fast-forward as you would with any video.
If you are watching on a TV, use your remote to control playback. On a phone or computer, use the on-screen controls. You can stop watching at any time and resume from where you left off on the same device or switch to a different device — YouTube TV remembers your progress.
Fast-forwarding through commercials
Most recordings on YouTube TV allow you to skip commercials entirely using the fast-forward button. Press and hold the fast-forward button, or tap the skip-ahead button if your device shows one, to jump past ads. Some content — particularly sports and certain live events — may have ads that cannot be skipped, but standard shows and movies usually allow full fast-forward.
The ability to skip ads is one of the main advantages of recording through YouTube TV rather than watching live. You can watch a one-hour show in roughly 40 minutes by skipping the commercial breaks.
When recordings expire and how to keep them longer
YouTube TV stores each recording for nine months from the date it was recorded. After nine months, the recording is automatically deleted from your library. If you want to keep watching a show after that window closes, you can save it again — YouTube TV will record the next airing or, for on-demand content, store a fresh copy.
There is no way to extend the nine-month window for a single recording, but you can manage your library by unsaving shows you no longer want to watch. This does not affect the expiration date of recordings you keep, but it helps keep your library organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record multiple shows at the same time?
Yes. Because YouTube TV uses cloud recording rather than a physical DVR box, there is no limit to how many shows you can record simultaneously. You can save as many programs as you want, and they will all record without conflict.
What happens if I save a show that is already airing?
YouTube TV will record the current episode if it has not finished airing yet. If the episode has already ended, you may be able to watch it on demand, but it will not be added to your DVR library. For future episodes of that show, the system will record them automatically.
Can I read recordings to watch offline?
YouTube TV does not offer offline read for recordings. You must be connected to the internet to watch your saved shows. However, you can watch on any device with the YouTube TV app or website, so you can use your phone or tablet on a mobile connection.
Do I need a separate DVR subscription?
No. Cloud DVR is included with every YouTube TV membership at no extra cost. There are no additional fees or storage limits beyond the nine-month retention period.
Can other people in my household watch my recordings?
Yes. Anyone with access to your YouTube TV account can watch your saved shows on any device. If you share your account with family members, they will see all your recordings in their Library view.