Finding and Playing Your Recorded Shows

Your recorded shows live in the Library section of YouTube TV, which you reach from the home screen. Tap or click the Library icon (it looks like a stack of rectangles) in the bottom menu on mobile, or in the left sidebar on a computer or TV device. All your recordings appear there organized by show name, and you can start watching any of them when ready — they play from the beginning unless you've already started watching.

The recordings stay in your Library until you delete them manually or until YouTube TV removes them to make space. You get a certain amount of storage depending on your account type, but YouTube TV doesn't publish an exact limit. What matters is that you can record as much as you want, and older recordings get removed automatically if you run out of room — YouTube TV prioritizes keeping your most recent recordings.

If you're looking for a specific show, use the search function at the top of the Library page. Type the show name and YouTube TV will show you all episodes you've recorded, plus any upcoming episodes you can record.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Library section from your home screen to see all your recorded shows in one place.
  • Recordings stay in your Library until you delete them or YouTube TV removes them automatically when storage fills up.
  • You can resume watching a recording where you left off, and YouTube TV remembers your place across all your devices.
  • Search the Library by show name to find specific recordings instead of scrolling through your entire list.
  • Deleting a recording from your Library frees up storage space for new recordings.

How Recording Works on YouTube TV

When you add a show to your Library or mark it to record, YouTube TV automatically records new episodes as they air. You don't have to set up individual recordings for each episode — once you've told YouTube TV you want a show, it keeps recording it for you. This is called a series recording, and it's the default behavior for most shows.

You can also record a single episode without subscribing to the whole series. When you're looking at a show in the guide or on a show's detail page, you'll see a record button (a circle icon). Tap or click it to record just that one episode. The episode will appear in your Library after it airs.

YouTube TV records in the quality your internet connection supports, up to 4K on some devices. The quality you see depends on your device and your internet speed — YouTube TV adjusts automatically, so you don't have to choose a quality setting yourself.

Watching Across Different Devices

You can start watching a recording on one device and pick it up on another. If you watch the first 20 minutes of a show on your phone, then switch to your TV, YouTube TV remembers where you stopped and offers to resume from that point. This works across phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices as long as you're signed into the same YouTube TV account.

The playback controls are the same on every device: play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, and a progress bar showing how far through the episode you are. On TV devices, you can usually skip forward or backward by 10 or 30 seconds using the remote. On mobile and computer, you can tap or click the progress bar to jump to any point in the recording.

Managing Your Library and Deleting Recordings

To delete a recording, open your Library, find the show or episode, and look for a menu icon (usually three dots or a trash can). Select delete, and YouTube TV removes it from your Library and frees up storage space. Deleting a single episode doesn't affect the series recording — if you're subscribed to record the show, the next new episode will still record automatically.

If you want to stop recording a show entirely, find it in your Library, open the show's details, and look for an option to unsubscribe or stop recording. This removes future episodes from recording but doesn't delete episodes you've already recorded.

You can also organize your Library by sorting shows alphabetically, by date added, or by how recently you watched them. Use the sort or filter options at the top of your Library page to change the view.

Troubleshooting Common Recording Issues

If a show didn't record when you expected it to, check whether the episode actually aired. Sometimes networks reschedule or preempt shows, and YouTube TV can only record what broadcasts. You can also check your recording settings to make sure the show is still set to record — occasionally a series recording can be turned off by accident.

If your Library is full and you're not seeing new recordings, YouTube TV has automatically deleted older recordings to make room. Delete some recordings manually if you want to keep specific older episodes, or YouTube TV will continue removing the oldest ones as new recordings come in.

If a recording won't play or keeps stopping, try closing the YouTube TV app completely and opening it again. If that doesn't work, check your internet connection — a weak connection can cause playback to stall. Restart your device if the problem continues.

Recording Limits and Storage

YouTube TV doesn't limit the number of shows you can record or the number of episodes. You can record dozens of series at once, and YouTube TV will record every new episode of each one. The only constraint is storage space, which varies but is generous enough for most households.

Recordings are stored on YouTube's servers, not on your device, so they don't take up space on your phone, tablet, or TV. You can delete recordings from your device to free up local storage without affecting what's in your YouTube TV Library.

If you're concerned about running out of storage, delete recordings you've already watched or no longer want. You can also unsubscribe from series you're no longer interested in to stop new episodes from recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read recordings to watch offline?

YouTube TV does not support downloading recordings to watch without an internet connection. You must stream recordings from YouTube TV's servers, so you need an active internet connection to play them. This applies to all devices — phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices.

How long do recordings stay in my Library?

Recordings stay until you delete them or until YouTube TV removes them automatically to make storage space for new recordings. There's no set expiration date. If you want to keep a recording permanently, don't delete it — it will remain in your Library as long as your YouTube TV account is active.

Can I record the same show on multiple devices?

You don't need to. Once you record a show on your YouTube TV account, it's available on all your devices. You record through your account, not through individual devices, so one recording serves all of them.

What happens to my recordings if I cancel YouTube TV?

Your recordings are deleted when your YouTube TV subscription ends. If you reactivate your subscription later, your old recordings won't return — you'll need to record new episodes. This is why it's a good idea to delete only the recordings you're sure you won't want to watch again.

Can I fast-forward through commercials in recorded shows?

Yes. Recorded shows let you skip forward through any part of the episode, including commercials. Live TV does not allow skipping, but once a show is recorded, you have full control over playback and can jump past ads or any other content.