You can delete YouTube TV recordings from your library, but the process depends on whether you're using a phone, tablet, or TV device

YouTube TV stores your recordings in a personal library tied to your account. When you delete a recording, it disappears from your library immediately and frees up space in your account. The steps differ slightly depending on what device you're using, but the option to delete is always in the same place: next to the recording title in your library.

Unlike some other streaming services, YouTube TV doesn't limit how many recordings you can keep — you can store as many as you want for as long as you want. Recordings stay available until you manually delete them, even if the original episode is no longer airing. This means you control what stays and what goes.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a recording removes it from your library immediately and is permanent — you cannot undo the deletion.
  • On phones and tablets, swipe left on the recording title or tap the three-dot menu to find the delete option.
  • On TV devices like Roku, Fire TV, or Chromecast, highlight the recording and press the delete or back button to remove it.
  • YouTube TV does not charge extra for storage, so you can keep recordings as long as you want without worrying about running out of space.

How to delete a recording on your phone or tablet

Open the YouTube TV app and go to your Library. Find the recording you want to delete. On most phones, swipe left across the recording title — a red delete button will appear on the right side. Tap it to remove the recording.

If swiping doesn't work on your device, tap the three vertical dots (menu icon) next to the recording title instead. A menu will pop up with options including "Remove from Library" or "Delete." Tap that option and confirm when the app asks you to verify.

How to delete a recording on your TV

On TV devices like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast, navigate to your Library from the home screen. Scroll to find the recording you want to delete and highlight it. Press the delete button on your remote — on most remotes this is labeled "Delete" or "Remove," though some devices use the back button instead.

A confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure. Select "Yes" or "Confirm" to complete the deletion. The recording will disappear from your library immediately.

What happens after you delete a recording

Once you delete a recording, it is gone permanently. YouTube TV does not keep a trash folder or recovery option, so you cannot undo the deletion. If you want to watch that show again, you would need to record it a second time when it airs, or watch it through another method if available.

Deleting a recording does not affect your ability to record future episodes of the same show. If you have a series set to record automatically, deleting one episode does not change that setting — new episodes will continue to record as scheduled.

Managing your library to avoid accidental deletions

Because deletions are permanent, take a moment before confirming. Double-check that you're deleting the right recording, especially if you have multiple episodes of the same show in your library. If you're unsure whether you want to keep something, you can leave it in your library indefinitely — YouTube TV does not charge for storage or limit the number of recordings you can keep.

If you want to organize your library without deleting, you can also use YouTube TV's search and filter options to find specific shows or sort by date. This makes it easier to locate what you're looking for without having to scroll through your entire library.

Deleting recordings on a shared account

If multiple people use the same YouTube TV account, anyone with access to the account can delete any recording. There is no way to lock individual recordings or set permissions for who can delete what. If you share your account with family members and want to protect certain recordings, you'll need to discuss which shows should stay and which can be removed.

Each person on the account sees the same library, so if one person deletes a recording, it disappears for everyone. YouTube TV does not offer separate libraries or profiles that would let different household members keep their own recordings separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a recording I accidentally deleted?

No. YouTube TV does not have a trash folder or recovery option. Once you delete a recording, it is permanently removed. If you want to watch that show again, you would need to record it when it airs next, or find it through another streaming service or on-demand option.

Does deleting recordings free up space on my device?

Deleting a recording removes it from your YouTube TV library, but it does not free up storage space on your phone, tablet, or TV device itself. YouTube TV stores recordings on its servers, not on your device. Deleting just removes your access to that recording.

What if I delete a recording by mistake?

You cannot undo the deletion, but you can record the show again if it airs again. Check your TV guide to see when the next airing is scheduled, or set up a new recording manually. Some shows are also available on-demand through YouTube TV or other streaming services.

Can I delete only part of a recorded show?

No. YouTube TV records entire episodes or programs as single files. You can only delete the whole recording — you cannot trim or edit it to remove just a portion. If you want to keep part of a recording, you would need to keep the entire file.

Do I need to delete old recordings to make room for new ones?

No. YouTube TV does not limit the number of recordings you can keep or charge extra for storage. You can keep as many recordings as you want for as long as you want. You only need to delete recordings if you personally want them out of your library.