Delete a recording from your library in three steps
To delete a recorded show on YouTube TV, open the app or website, go to your Library, find the show you want to remove, and select the delete option. The process is the same whether you're on a phone, tablet, computer, or TV device — the recording disappears from your account immediately and frees up storage space.
YouTube TV gives you unlimited cloud storage for recordings, so you're not running out of space the way you would with a DVR. But you might want to delete a show because you've already watched it, you want to clean up your library, or you're looking for something specific and the list has gotten long.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a recording removes it from your Library permanently, but you can record the same show again if it airs in the future.
- You can delete individual episodes or entire series at once from the Library menu.
- Deleted recordings do not affect your ability to watch live TV or record other shows.
- YouTube TV stores all recordings in the cloud, so deleting one does not free up your device's storage — it only cleans up your account.
How to delete a single episode
Open YouTube TV and tap or click on the Library tab at the bottom of the screen (on phones and tablets) or the left side (on computers and TV devices). Scroll through your recordings until you find the show you want to delete.
Hover over or long-press the show title. A menu will appear with options. Select "Delete" or the trash icon. The episode is removed from your Library immediately. If you change your mind later, you can record the same episode again if it airs as a rerun, but YouTube TV does not keep a trash folder or recovery option.
How to delete an entire series at once
If you've recorded multiple seasons of a show and want to remove all of them, you can delete the entire series instead of going episode by episode. Open Library, find the series title, and hover over or long-press it.
Look for an option that says "Delete series" or "Remove series." YouTube TV will ask you to confirm before deleting all episodes at once. After you confirm, every episode of that show disappears from your Library. This is faster than deleting episodes individually, but make sure you really want to remove the whole series — you'll have to re-record it if you change your mind.
What happens after you delete a recording
Once you delete a recording, it's gone from your Library and you can't watch it anymore. YouTube TV does not keep deleted recordings in a trash folder or give you a window to restore them. If you realize you made a mistake, your only option is to record the show again the next time it airs.
Deleting a recording does not affect anything else in your account. You can still watch live TV, record new shows, and access your other Library content. Your YouTube TV subscription and channel access stay exactly the same.
Deleting recordings on different devices
The steps are nearly identical across phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices, but the buttons and menus look slightly different depending on what you're using.
| Device Type | How to Access Delete Option |
|---|---|
| Phone or Tablet | Open Library, long-press the show, tap "Delete" |
| Computer (Web Browser) | Open Library, hover over the show, click the three-dot menu or trash icon, select "Delete" |
| TV Device (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, etc.) | Open Library, highlight the show with your remote, press the options button, select "Delete" |
If you're not sure which button to press on your TV remote, look for a menu icon (three dots or lines) or an options button. The exact label varies by device, but the delete option will be in that menu.
Why you might want to delete recordings
Even though YouTube TV gives you unlimited storage, a cluttered Library makes it harder to find shows you actually want to watch. Deleting recordings you've finished or no longer care about keeps your list organized and easier to browse.
Some people delete recordings to keep their watch history clean or to remove shows they recorded by accident. Others delete entire series once they've finished watching to make room in their Library for new recordings. There's no penalty for deleting — you're just managing your own account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a deleted recording?
No. YouTube TV does not have a trash folder or recovery option for deleted recordings. Once you delete a show, it's permanently removed from your account. If you want to watch it again, you'll need to record it the next time it airs or find it on another streaming service.
Does deleting a recording free up space on my phone or tablet?
No. YouTube TV stores all recordings in the cloud, not on your device. Deleting a recording only removes it from your Library — it doesn't free up storage space on your phone, tablet, or TV. If your device is running out of storage, deleting YouTube TV recordings won't help.
What if I delete a recording by mistake?
You can't undo a deletion, but you can record the show again if it airs as a rerun. Check your TV guide to see when the episode is scheduled next, then set up a new recording. Some shows repeat frequently, so you may not have to wait long.
Can I delete a recording while it's still being recorded?
No. You have to wait until the recording is complete before you can delete it. Once the show finishes recording, it will appear in your Library and you can delete it at any time.
If I delete a series, can I still record new episodes when they air?
Yes. Deleting a series from your Library doesn't cancel your recording schedule for future episodes. If you have the series set to record new episodes, YouTube TV will continue recording them even after you delete the old ones. You can check your recording settings in the show's details page.