- How to copy a YouTube video link on your phone
- How to copy a YouTube link on a computer
- How to copy a YouTube link that starts at a specific time
- How to copy a YouTube Shorts link
- How to copy a YouTube channel link
- Tips for sharing links that get clicked
- Other ways to share from the same menu
- When copy link doesn't work
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To copy a YouTube link, tap Share under the video and choose Copy link on your phone, or click Share and then Copy on a computer. To make the link start at a certain moment, switch on the start time toggle in the Share panel before you copy it.
Copying a YouTube link sounds too simple to need a guide, until you're in the app, there's no address bar, and you want the video to start at the exact bit you're talking about. Here's how to copy a video link, a timestamped link and a channel link on every device, plus a couple of tricks most people never use.
How to copy a YouTube video link on your phone
- Open the video in the YouTube app.
- Tap Share under the video player.
- Tap Copy link.
- Paste it into your message, email or post.
You can also pick an app straight from the Share menu, such as WhatsApp or Messages, and YouTube drops the link in for you. On iPhone and Android the steps are the same.
How to copy a YouTube link on a computer
- Open the video on youtube.com.
- Click Share under the video.
- Click Copy next to the link.
You can also copy the address from your browser's address bar, but the Share button gives you a shorter link and the start time option, so it's the better habit.
How to copy a YouTube link that starts at a specific time
This is the most useful trick here, and most people don't know it exists. Instead of saying "skip to about two minutes in", send a link that starts there.
| Device | How to add a start time |
|---|---|
| Phone | Pause at the moment you want, tap Share, then switch on the Minute:Second toggle (for example 2:30) before copying |
| Computer | Click Share, tick Start at and enter the time, then click Copy |
YouTube's example is starting a video at 2 minutes 30 seconds, which you'd enter as 2:30. Whoever opens the link lands right on that moment. It's perfect for tutorials, long podcasts and anything where the useful bit is buried in the middle. I use it all the time when I'm answering questions from clients: instead of explaining where in a long webinar a point comes up, I send a link that drops them straight on it.
How to copy a YouTube Shorts link
Shorts work the same way. Tap the Share arrow on the Short and choose Copy link. There's no start time option, because Shorts are short enough not to need one.
How to copy a YouTube channel link
- On a phone: open the channel, tap the three dots (More), then Share, then Copy link.
- On a computer: go to the channel page and copy the URL from the address bar.
In the app you'll also see a QR Code option. YouTube says you can save the code to your device to share and scan offline, which is handy for business cards, posters and slides at an event. If it's your own channel, it's worth setting up a custom URL with your channel name so the link looks tidy wherever you share it.
Tips for sharing links that get clicked
- Add one line of context before the link. "This is the 2-minute fix for the login error" gets more clicks than a bare URL.
- Use a start time for anything longer than a few minutes. People rarely scrub through a long video to find your point.
- For a channel, share the custom URL rather than the long string of letters, so people can see where they're going.
- Test the link in a private browser window if you're sharing an unlisted video, to check it works for someone who isn't you.
Other ways to share from the same menu
The Share panel on a computer does more than copy:
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- Embed gives you code to put the video on a website or blog.
- Email opens your default email program with the link ready.
- Social icons share straight to sites like Facebook and X.
- Post lets you share the video publicly on your channel's Posts tab, if you have access to it.
When copy link doesn't work
- The video is private. A link to a private video only works for people you've invited. Unlisted videos work for anyone with the link.
- Nothing pastes. Some phones block clipboard access for a moment after switching apps. Copy again and paste straight away.
- The link opens at the start. The time toggle was off when you copied. Copy it again with the toggle on.
- The Share button is missing. Update the app, or check you're not in a restricted or kids profile.
If the person you send it to says the video won't play, that's usually on their side. Point them to my guide on fixing a YouTube black screen. And if you share links from a shared or work computer, it's worth checking how to manage the devices signed in to YouTube so nobody else is using your account.
My verdict
Use the Share button rather than the address bar. It works the same in the app and on a computer, gives you a clean link, and lets you set a start time so people land on the part that matters. That one toggle makes every link you send more useful.
Frequently asked questions
How do I copy a YouTube link on my phone?
Open the video, tap Share under the player and choose Copy link.
How do I copy a YouTube link at a specific time?
In the Share menu, switch on the start time toggle on your phone, or tick Start at on a computer, then copy the link.
How do I copy a YouTube channel link in the app?
Open the channel, tap More, then Share, then Copy link.
Why doesn't my YouTube link start at the right time?
The start time toggle was off when you copied it. Turn it on in the Share menu and copy the link again.
