Watching a show on YouTube TV doesn’t automatically save it. The recording control is Add (+), which schedules current and future broadcasts. Here’s how to use it on your phone, computer, or TV, then find your saved shows.
Add a show to start recording
A program won’t record until you add it to your library. Sign in to the YouTube TV website or app with your Google Account. This works on computers, Android phones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, and supported TV devices.
Select Search, then enter the name of the show, movie, team, or event you want to record. For browsing instead, use Home or Live. Open the program’s result.
Select Add (+). YouTube TV automatically records its current and future broadcasts available through your subscription. Add a series once, and its broadcasts are scheduled without repeating this for each episode.
Record from your TV
Open the YouTube TV app on your supported smart TV or streaming device. It’s a separate app from YouTube. Sign in with your Google Account. Select Search, enter the program’s name, open its result, and select Add (+).
Certain TV devices also offer an entry point through the regular YouTube app. To use it, open that app and scroll to the bottom of its left navigation. Select YouTube TV, then sign in if prompted.
Find your program using Search and select Add (+) on the program. If that entry point isn’t available, open the dedicated YouTube TV app. If you still can’t schedule the recording on your TV, use the website or mobile app with the same account and follow the steps above.
Save a show that has already started
Joined a broadcast halfway through? Recording starts from the moment you add it, so the beginning won’t be included in that initial recording. Select Add (+) for the currently airing program to record the remaining portion.
A later complete rebroadcast can replace the partial recording. For future shows, select Add (+) before they air to capture the full broadcast.
Find and watch your recordings
Your saved programs live in Library.
- 1.Open YouTube TV.
- 2.Sign in with the account you used to schedule the recording.
- 3.Select Library.
- 4.Find the recorded show, movie, or event.
- 5.Select the recording you want to watch.
Stop recording a show
Removing a program stops future recordings; existing recordings stay available until they expire. Find the program you previously added to Library. Select Remove.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I record, and how long do recordings stay?
YouTube TV’s cloud DVR has no storage-space limit. Recordings are kept for up to nine months, so your library isn’t permanent storage.
Can I record a sports team or all NFL games?
Yes. Find the team’s page or the NFL page. Select Add (+) to add it to Library. Adding the NFL records current and future NFL broadcasts available through your subscription. NFL Sunday Ticket covers eligible out-of-market Sunday-afternoon regular-season games. For NFL RedZone, search for NFL Red Zone. Open the result under Shows. Select Add (+). With RedZone access, this records the full eight-hour block; adding individual teams or games does not record RedZone.
Can I schedule recordings while away from home?
Yes, while traveling within the United States. Sign in to the same account on the YouTube TV website or app. Find your program through Search. Select Add (+). You can record home-area programming and national networks, but you cannot record destination-area local programming.
Can I download recordings to watch offline?
Yes, eligible recordings support downloads in the YouTube TV mobile app with 4K Plus or qualifying add-on-network benefits. Open Library. Find the recording. Select its download button; a disabled button means downloading is unavailable. To watch a saved program offline, open Downloads. Select the program. Reconnect through the app at least every 30 days; downloads expire nine months after recording.