To unlock more tools in YouTube Studio, creators must complete verification steps designed to protect the platform from spam, scams, and abuse.
Important: Only the primary channel owner can complete these verifications.
Intermediate Features
Requirement:
Phone verification
How to Verify (Desktop):
- Sign in to YouTube Studio
- Go to Settings
- Select Channel
- Click Feature eligibility
- Choose Intermediate features
- Click Verify phone number
- Enter your phone number
- Receive and enter your code via text or voice call
Benefits:
- Longer videos (over 15 minutes)
- Live streaming on desktop
- Custom thumbnails
- Higher feature usage limits
Advanced Features
Requirements:
- Complete phone verification
- Then either:
- Build sufficient channel history
- OR verify identity with:
- Government-issued ID
- Video verification
Option 1: Build Channel History
YouTube may automatically grant advanced access if your channel demonstrates:
- Consistent uploads
- Live streaming
- Positive audience engagement
- Strong Google Account history
- Good policy compliance
Option 2: ID Verification
Steps:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio
- Go to Feature eligibility
- Select Advanced features
- Choose Use your ID
- Follow the emailed or QR code instructions
- Submit ID photos
- Wait for review (typically within 24 hours)
Accepted IDs:
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Other valid government identification
Option 3: Video Verification
Steps:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio
- Navigate to Advanced features
- Select Video verification
- Follow prompts on your phone
- Complete facial movement tasks
- Submit video
- Wait for review (typically within 24 hours)
Mobile Verification (Android, iPhone, iPad)
Phone Verification:
- Visit m.youtube.com/verify
- Sign in
- Enter verification code
ID Verification:
- Visit Google’s identity verification page
Video Verification:
- Visit Google’s video verification page
Maintaining Access
To keep advanced feature access:
- Follow Community Guidelines
- Avoid copyright strikes
- Maintain positive channel history
- Avoid spam or deceptive practices
Actions That May Restrict Access
Examples include:
- Community Guidelines strikes
- Repeated spam or duplicate uploads
- Harassment or cyberbullying
- Hate speech
- Copyright violations
- Impersonation
- Child safety violations
- Misleading metadata or scams
Restoring Lost Feature Access
If advanced features are restricted:
- Improve channel history over time
- Complete ID or video verification
- Active compliant channels may regain eligibility in about 2 months
Common Error Messages
“Advanced YouTube features aren’t available for this account”
- You are not the primary owner
- Brand Accounts or supervised accounts may have restrictions
“Check your browser”
- Browser or operating system may need updating
“ID verification doesn’t work with this phone’s camera”
- Requires a compatible full-HD rear-facing camera
“Another application might be using your camera”
- Close other apps and retry
