How to upload a video to YouTube: Upload a video from phone and desktop

How to upload a video to YouTube
(Image credit: Westend61 at Getty Images)

In this article we'll show you how to upload a video to YouTube in eight easy steps. First - let's set the scene... So, you’ve finished your short film masterpiece, or set the world to rights in your latest vlog and you're ready to publish it for the world to see. Now you need to know how to upload a video to YouTube.

Well, you're in luck. In this guide, we'll take you through all the steps you need to get your work from your chosen video editing software, to the dominant popular social platform YouTube. But that's not all. We'll also provide a few handy tips on how to optimise your video’s page to draw in more and more viewers. You’ll be racking up likes and subscribers in no time. 

Premiere Pro: the best video editing software

Premiere Pro: the best video editing software
Aimed at professional editors, Adobe's Premiere Pro is our pick of video editing software. This industry standard tool works on both PC and Mac, and offers everything you need.

Final Cut Pro X: the best choice for Mac users

Final Cut Pro X: the best choice for Mac users
Optimised for macOS, Final Cut Pro has a great reputation within the industry and is the best option for Apple users who want to make movies easily.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Kieron Moore

Kieron Moore is a freelance writer based in Manchester, England. He contributes to Future sites including TechRadar and Creative Bloq, focusing on subjects including creative software, video editing, and streaming services. This work draws on his experience as an independent filmmaker and an independent TV watcher. He can be found on Twitter at @KieronMoore, usually when he’s meant to be writing.

Latest in Social Media
Ryanair logo
We need to talk about Ryanair's social media
Tesla Cybertruck
The design of Tesla's Cybertruck from behind is getting roasted on X
Artworks shared on Twitter
Artists are sharing their most popular piece on X
Themed social media app icons on an Android phone
Facebook and Instagram are finally adding themed app icons for Android
Twitch Stories
How to create Twitch Stories
X brand toolkit
Elon Musk faces trademark battle over X rebrand
Latest in Features
Pete Gibbons headshot
"We’ve been making video for social since before social was a thing": a day in the life of Pete Gibbons
A group of people taking a selfie using the iPhone 16e.
7 reasons the iPhone 16e is a huge improvement on the iPhone SE 3
AI trends predictions 2025
How to use AI properly – 5 tips to help you get the most from the tech
How we made Ada; A digitally animated scene depicts two women in a grand, antique-style library, with one pointing.
How we made the "lush, handmade look" of animated series Ada
Cartoons of the 1950s - best animated movies of the 50s; A heartwarming animated scene depicts two canine characters sharing a meal of spaghetti and meatballs at a table outdoors.
Cartoons of the 1950s – the best animated movies from Lady and the Tramp to Animal Farm
Making Paddington in Peru's character animation; a small bear in a red had sat in a jungle
Paddington in Peru's animation works because of one small detail