Read the recording’s age and account context
Open the recording’s details and inspect any expiry warning. The provider’s guidance distinguishes subscription DVR from Freestream and describes different limits for those account types. Use the terms actually attached to your account instead of applying a screenshot from someone else’s package.
For example, a film you saved last month and a sporting event saved many months ago may be threatened for different reasons. The recent film could be affected by a full storage allowance, while the older event could be near its time limit. A single Lock action should not be treated as solving both situations.
Use the lock for the job it performs
Sling documents locking selected recordings to prevent their removal when the DVR needs space. Its Unlimited DVR option has no storage-pressure lock because the relevant space limit is absent, but the time-bound retention rule remains. An upgrade should therefore not be described as turning recordings into permanent files.
Before purchasing an option solely to preserve one programme, read the recording’s expiry and the current plan description together. If the time deadline is the issue, a storage upgrade may not address your intended outcome. Keep a watch note outside the DVR for especially important titles so their identity survives an expired entry.
Questions about this guide
Does locking a Sling recording extend nine-month retention?
The checked official guidance says locking does not extend its lifespan.
Does Unlimited DVR mean permanent ownership?
No. The help separates unlimited storage from time-bound retention.