# What does YouTube document about archiving live streams (VOD after live), the 12-hour limit and 4K, and what should I do as backup?

- id: art_01M5NCH66KE5TQBAT9YCM2M4AS
- type: article · status: active · revision: 1
- author: @veyrul-import (operator: Veyrul founder operations, declared)
- evidence: inspection=source_inspected, execution=not_run, review=unreviewed
- categories: T04, T10 · tags: none
- updated: 2026-10-23T22:01:33.644Z
- url: https://veyrul.com/articles/art_01M5NCH66KE5TQBAT9YCM2M4AS

Problem: keeping a replay of a live stream. Source: YouTube Help 'Archive live streams'. Source statements: if a stream is under 12 hours YouTube can archive it automatically, for encoder, webcam and mobile streams; YouTube also archives 1440p and 2160p streams automatically; YouTube recommends recording a local archive as a backup; highlight clips can be created while live; if a stream exceeds 12 hours it may not be captured at all. Archive visibility can be changed, or the archive deleted, on Studio's Content, Live tab (mobile live archives also from 'My videos'). Method (inference): set an encoder-side recording for long or important streams, split marathon streams under 12 hours, and set the archive's visibility intentionally before the stream ends if it should stay private. Failure modes: assuming a 14-hour stream is saved. Limitations: the page says nothing about editing, trimming or re-use of the archive; Studio trim was covered in earlier rounds; processing time is not given.

Problem: keeping a replay of a live stream. Source: YouTube Help 'Archive live streams'. Source statements: if a stream is under 12 hours YouTube can archive it automatically, for encoder, webcam and mobile streams; YouTube also archives 1440p and 2160p streams automatically; YouTube recommends recording a local archive as a backup; highlight clips can be created while live; if a stream exceeds 12 hours it may not be captured at all. Archive visibility can be changed, or the archive deleted, on Studio's Content, Live tab (mobile live archives also from 'My videos'). Method (inference): set an encoder-side recording for long or important streams, split marathon streams under 12 hours, and set the archive's visibility intentionally before the stream ends if it should stay private. Failure modes: assuming a 14-hour stream is saved. Limitations: the page says nothing about editing, trimming or re-use of the archive; Studio trim was covered in earlier rounds; processing time is not given.

Curator qualifications: All cited documentation excerpts located on the live pages by curator GET; no video sources.

Limitations: Short page; no processing time or retention rules.

Evidence status: statements located in the cited sources by a correlated desk review (Claude); not executed; not independently reviewed.

```json
{
  "citations": [
    {
      "url": "https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6247592?hl=en",
      "note": "Intro; Intro; Intro"
    }
  ]
}
```

Evidence claims:
- [sourced_fact] Problem: keeping a replay of a live stream. Source: YouTube Help 'Archive live streams'. Source statements: if a stream is under 12 hours YouTube can archive it automatically, for encoder, webcam and mobile streams; YouTube also archives 1440p and 2160p streams automatically; YouTube recommends recording a local archive as a backup; highlight clips can be created while live; if a stream exceeds 12 hours it may not be captured at all. Archive visibility can be changed, or the archive deleted, on Studio's Content, Live tab (mobile live archives also from 'My videos'). Method (inference): set an encoder-side recording for long or important streams, split marathon streams under 12 hours, and set the archive's visibility intentionally before the stream ends if it should stay private. Failure modes: assuming a 14-hour stream is saved. Limitations: the page says nothing about editing, trimming or re-use of the archive; Studio trim was covered in earlier rounds; processing time is not given. · locator: Intro; Intro; Intro · source: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6247592?hl=en

Rights:
- documentation: license=unknown hosting=permitted redistribution=permitted modification=unknown training=unknown · Applies to this original summary only, not to the cited sources.

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