How to Record Anything on YouTube TV – DVR Guide
Reviewed by Huzaifa HaroonYouTube TV isn’t just a great place for live TV and on-demand shows; it’s also perfect for recording what you want to watch later. The recording feature is not called DVR but works similarly to how traditional DVRs used to record TV content back in the day—now it’s just all digital.
In this guide, we’ll take you step by step through the easy process of setting up and managing recordings on YouTube TV. Whether you want to use YouTube’s official recording feature or try out third-party apps and tools, let’s break down all the details.
Table of Contents:
How does YouTube TV DVR work?
Finding the DVR feature on YouTube TV may initially be confusing since it’s not labeled as such. Instead, YouTube TV utilizes the “Library” for recording purposes. Here’s how it works:
When you want to record a program on YouTube TV, simply add it to your library. Whether through the website or the app, adding a program to your library means the DVR feature will record it for you when it’s on air. If it’s a TV show you’re after, this function will automatically record every new and rerun episode.
How to record on YouTube TV
Recording a show on YouTube TV is an easy process. Here’s the step-by-step guide:
- You can access YouTube TV on any web browser at tv.youtube.com or download the app on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play. It’s also available on streaming devices and some smart TVs.
Open YouTube TV - Sign in and select the program you want to record. You can search for your favorite show from the search icon.
Search and open your favorite TV show - Click on the + icon to record the program. This will set up an automatic recording for current and future shows of that program.
Click on the + icon
Once you click the plus sign icon, it will change to a checkmark, and you’ll see a notification that confirms the show has been added to your DVR library. It’s a simple and user-friendly way to ensure you never miss an episode again!
How to record YouTube TV on mobile devices
With the advent of cloud storage and its universal integration with smartphones (iCloud/Google Drive) you can save unlimited downloaded or recorded files. The built-in YouTube TV DVR can record multiple files simultaneously, and you can stream those recordings to various devices as you wish.
You can try it on Android phones, iPhones, and iPad. The unlimited cloud DVR of YouTube TV makes capturing TV shows a breeze. Here’s how to record YouTube TV on a mobile device:
- Open YouTube TV on a mobile device like an iPhone and tap the search icon in the upper right corner.
- Enter the name of the TV show you wish to record in the search box, then single-tap to select it.
- Tap the “+” icon to add the show to your DVR list.
After recording, you can find the show in the “Library” section. It’s that simple to take advantage of YouTube TV’s DVR on your mobile devices, allowing you to enjoy your favorite shows whenever and wherever you like!
Record live TV shows while watching
Ever started watching a live show and needed to pause partway through? YouTube TV‘s player lets you record the show, so you can continue watching later. The recording goes on even if you switch to another program or app. Here’s how you can do it:
- Navigate to the YouTube TV app or website and click the Live tab. This shows all the current live streams.
Click on the Live tab from top bar - Select a show from the list. It will start streaming immediately.
Pick your favorite live show - Pause the show. For those watching YouTube TV on a computer, click the video to stop it temporarily. And if you’re viewing on a mobile device, you need to touch the video and then hit the pause icon.
- Click the PLUS (+) sign when paused. This symbol will appear below the progress bar when the stream is paused.
Pause the show and click + icon
YouTube will then begin recording the show from that specific point. You can also record live sports with this method. It’s a convenient way to ensure you don’t miss any part of your favorite live shows, even if you must step away for a bit!
Third-party solutions to record on YouTube TV
If you’re not satisfied with the built-in DVR of YouTube TV, you still have options since several third-party apps cater to this need. While YouTube TV offers some built-in recording features, these solutions take the experience a notch higher, providing flexibility and additional functionalities.
- Screen Capture Software: Various screen recording software allows you to capture what’s on your screen, such as OBS Studio or Camtasia. These tools can record video and audio playing on your computer, but they may not be tailored specifically for YouTube TV and you may need to adjust some settings.
- DVR Services: There are online DVR services like PlayOn and Android TV/Apple TV apps such as Channels DVR that offer recording capabilities for various streaming platforms.
- Browser Extensions: Some browser extensions, including Video DownloadHelper, are designed to capture or download video content. These can vary widely in quality, legality, and safety, so proceed with extreme caution if considering this route.
We also have dedicated guides on the best screen-recording apps for Android and even macOS, if you’re interested in exploring more options.
How to watch recorded content on YouTube TV
Want to watch the shows you’ve recorded on YouTube TV? Just follow these quick and easy steps:
- Open the YouTube TV app and click on the library menu.
- Scroll through to find the category you want and pick the show, episode, or event you wish to watch. Select “Watch Now.”
How to delete recorded content on YouTube TV
After watching all the content you’ve recorded on YouTube TV, you might decide to delete them. Even though the recorded content doesn’t take up DVR space, you may want to clear old content from your library just to lessen clutter.
Here’s how to delete recorded content on YouTube TV:
- Navigate to the “Library” tab and select it. You’ll see all the content that YouTube TV has recorded for you.
- Select the video you want to delete, then click on the “Added to Library” option to remove it, or use the delete option.
The recording will now be removed from your library. These simple steps will help you keep your library fresh and free from old content that you no longer wish to see.
Final Thoughts
YouTube TV’s versatile features offer live streaming of shows, sports, and events and easy options to record, watch, and delete content at your convenience. From capturing live sports to deleting old recordings, YouTube TV puts control in your hands similar to a traditional TV setup.
Its user-friendly interface ensures that even those new to the platform can easily navigate the features. With the help of this guide, you can take full advantage of YouTube TV’s capabilities, turning your ordinary viewing experience into a personalized entertainment hub.
FAQs
Yes, you can. YouTube TV is designed to offer a consistent user experience across all devices and platforms. If you can install YouTube TV on your device, you’ll have access to your library, letting you watch the shows you’ve chosen to record earlier.
YouTube TV stores all your recordings on its servers, so you don’t have to worry about using your device’s storage space. However, it’s crucial to remember that you’ll need to maintain an Internet connection to access the content you’ve recorded.
With YouTube TV, there’s no limit to the number of shows you can keep in your library. This is likely because YouTube doesn’t create a digital recording for each user. Instead, they probably store all the content on their server, allowing you to access it through your library, much like standard YouTube videos.
YouTube TV provides unlimited space for your recordings. This means you can record movies, shows, and other content without worrying about limitations or restrictions. It’s a feature that adds great value, allowing endless recording possibilities.
You can keep shows recorded on YouTube TV for up to 9 months. To do this, select the show you wish to record and choose the “Add to Library” option. It’s a hassle-free process that enables long-term access to your favorite content.
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon
