How to Upload a Video to YouTube (Computer and Phone)

Uploading a video is the moment your channel comes to life, and the steps differ a little between a computer and the phone app. Below I've followed YouTube's help centre for both, then added the settings I'd check before hitting publish, because a rushed upload with no title or thumbnail rarely gets the attention your work deserves. If you run a small business, this is the routine I'd turn into a checklist for whoever posts your videos.

What you need before uploading to YouTube

• A YouTube channel. If you haven't got one yet, start with my guide on setting up a YouTube channel for yourself or your business.
• The video file saved on your computer or phone.
• A title (YouTube allows up to 100 characters) and a description (up to 5,000 characters), according to its upload help page.
• A thumbnail image, if your account is verified and can use custom thumbnails.

YouTube's verification page says that until you verify your account at youtube.com/verify, you can upload videos up to 15 minutes long. Verifying lets you upload longer videos and add custom thumbnails, so it's worth doing before your first upload.

Upload a YouTube video from a computer in YouTube Studio

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio at studio.youtube.com.
2. In the top right corner, click Create, then Upload videos.
3. Select the file you want to upload. YouTube's help page says you can upload up to 15 videos at a time.
4. Add your title, description and thumbnail on the Details page. Click Show more at the bottom of the Details section for the advanced settings.
5. On the Checks page, YouTube screens the video for copyright issues. The checks run in the background and YouTube notes the results aren't final.
6. On the Visibility page, choose to save or publish now, or schedule a date.
7. Click Save (or Publish, depending on what you chose).

Upload a YouTube video from the phone app

YouTube's help centre gives these steps for the YouTube app on Android. The iPhone app follows a similar pattern, but menus vary by app version.

1. Open the YouTube app.
2. Tap Create, then tap Video.
3. Select the file you want to upload and tap Next.
4. Add your title, description and other details, choose your audience, then publish.

If you close the upload screen before you finish, YouTube saves the video as a draft on your Content page, so you won't lose it. The separate YouTube Studio app has a similar flow: tap Create at the top, pick the file, add details, tap Next, choose your audience and tap Upload video.

Will my YouTube upload become a Short?

This catches lots of people out. According to YouTube's help centre, a square or vertical video of 3 minutes or less uploads as a Short. A square or vertical video longer than that can be trimmed into a Short with the Edit into a Short option, but that's optional. Horizontal videos aren't turned into Shorts. So if you want a regular video, film it horizontally.

YouTube upload visibility options explained

Setting	Who can see it	When I'd use it
Private	Only you and people you choose	Drafts, internal training, client previews
Unlisted	Anyone with the link	Sharing with a client or embedding on a page without it appearing on your channel
Public	Everyone	Your normal published videos
Schedule	Stays private until the date you pick	Batching content so it goes out on a regular day

YouTube's help page adds that public videos can also be set as an instant Premiere, and that the default visibility depends on the creator's age: private for creators aged 13 to 17 and public for those 18 and over.

YouTube upload settings worth checking before you publish

• Audience: you have to say whether the video is made for kids. Answer honestly, because it changes which features the video gets.
• Thumbnail: a clear face or bold text works far better than a random frame. If you change your mind later, here's how to swap a thumbnail on a video that's already live.
• Description: put the most useful line at the top, then add links and chapters.
• End screen: YouTube's help page says the video needs to be 25 seconds or longer to have one.

If you'd like to tidy the video once it's up, such as trimming a slow start or blurring a face, have a look at my walkthrough on editing a YouTube video in the Studio editor.

If your YouTube upload is stuck or won't go through

• Check your connection. Large files need a steady connection, so switch to Wi-Fi on a phone.
• Keep the upload screen or browser tab open until the upload finishes.
• Verify your account. YouTube's help page says verifying helps with processing time, and it's needed for videos over 15 minutes.
• There's a daily upload limit per channel across desktop, mobile and the API. YouTube's help page mentions it but doesn't give the number, so if you hit it, wait and try again later.
• Supervised accounts may not be able to upload at all, according to YouTube's help centre.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a YouTube video be?

YouTube's verification page says unverified accounts can upload videos up to 15 minutes long. Verify at youtube.com/verify to upload longer videos.

How many videos can I upload at once on YouTube?

YouTube's help page says you can upload up to 15 videos at a time in YouTube Studio on a computer.

Can I upload a YouTube video and publish it later?

Yes. Choose Schedule on the Visibility page. The video stays private until the date you pick.

Why did my video upload as a Short?

YouTube's help centre says square or vertical videos of 3 minutes or less upload as Shorts. Film horizontally if you want a regular video.

What happens if I close the app mid-upload?

YouTube's help page says the video is saved as a draft on your Content page, so you can finish it later.