Are you having second thoughts about a video you once thought was a stroke of genius? No need to panic! Whether it’s accidentally uploading a private vlog, realizing your video doesn’t meet your lofty standards, or simply not being on-brand for your channel, this guide shows you how to delete a YouTube video.

So, keep your device handy and read on to find out how to make your digital missteps disappear faster than you can say “viral fail.”

Roadmap

• Using a Desktop
• Using a Mobile Device
  • Android
  • iOS
• Using YouTube Studio Mobile App
• Other Options
• FAQs
• The Wrap-Up

Using a Desktop

Here’s how you can delete a YouTube video from your desktop:

Step 1: Log into your YouTube account with your username and password.

Step 2: Select “Your videos” in the right-hand side menu bar.

From there, YouTube will redirect you to YouTube Studio, where you can access different content creator settings.

Step 3: Locate the video you want to delete under the “Content” work area. Click the three vertical dots beside the video.

Step 4: Locate the “Delete forever” option and click it.

Step 5: Check the box informing you that deleting the video is permanent and confirm by clicking “DELETE FOREVER.”

Using a Mobile Device

Can’t access your desktop? No problem! It’s possible to delete YouTube videos from your mobile device. So, whether you have an Android or iOS device, all you need to do is follow these steps to deal with any YouTube video past its prime:

Android

Got an Android device? Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Click on your account icon in the upper right-hand corner.

Step 2: Select the “ Your channel” option under account details.

Step 3: Click on “Manage videos.”

Step 4: Locate the video you want to delete and click the three dots beside it.

Step 5: Click on delete.

Step 6: Confirm your decision by clicking delete again.

iOS

Follow these steps to delete a video from your iPhone or iPad:

Step 1: Open the YouTube app.

Step 2: Tap Library.

Step 3: Click on “Your videos.”

Step 4: Next to the video you want to delete, select the three vertical dots icon and tap “Delete.”

Step 5: Tap on “Delete” in the confirmation box.

Using YouTube Studio Mobile App

Another option is deleting videos through your installed YouTube Studio mobile app:

Step 1: Open the app on your mobile device.
Step 2: Locate the toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Tap on “Content.”

Step 3: Select the video you want to delete and click on the three dots beside the video.

Step 4: Click on “Delete”.

Step 5: Confirm by clicking on “Delete” again.

Other Options

To delete or not to delete, that is the question! It’s easy to reach for the delete button when faced with videos that no longer align with your vision. But if you’re hesitating to do the irreversible, consider the following options:

1. Privacy Settings

Hide your video by making it visible only to you and any users you invite. This way, you can keep your video safely tucked away from the public eye while retaining the ability to revisit or share it with selected individuals.

Steps: Open YouTube > Go to “Your videos” > In the “Content” work area, select the video > Click the downward arrow under “Visibility” > Select “Private” > Click “Save.”

2. Unlisted Option

The “Unlisted” setting ensures that the video doesn’t appear in search results or public channels but grants access to anyone with the video’s URL. Essentially, this setting is a semi-private option, allowing you to share the video with a select audience instead of your entire subscriber base.

Steps: Open YouTube > Go to “Your videos” > In the “Content” work area, select the video > Click the downward arrow under “Visibility” > Select “Unlisted” > Click “Save.”

3. Download and Archive

If the video holds sentimental value, consider archiving it for personal memories. Download the video and store it safely on your computer or an external drive, so you can revisit those cherished moments whenever you want.

Steps: Open YouTube > Go to “Your videos” > In the “Content” work area, select the video > Click on “More actions” > Select “Download”

FAQs

1. Can I recover a deleted YouTube video?

YouTube doesn’t have a direct feature to recover permanently deleted videos yet. It’s usually impossible to retrieve it through standard means to restore deleted files. So, content creators must exercise caution when deleting videos to avoid irreversible loss.

To prevent accidental deletions, consider using the “Private” setting to hide videos from the public instead of deleting them entirely.

2. How long does it take for a deleted YouTube video to vanish from search results?

Deleting a YouTube video typically removes it from search results and public view almost immediately. However, the removal may take some time to propagate through all YouTube servers and systems.

In some cases, users can still access the deleted video briefly through direct links or cached versions. Still, eventually, the video is no longer accessible to the public.

3. Will deleting a YouTube video affect my monetization or ad revenue?

Deleting a YouTube video can impact your monetization and ad revenue, especially if the video was part of your monetized content. When you delete a monetized video, it no longer generates ad revenue, affecting any associated earnings.

Additionally, frequently deleting videos might negatively influence your overall channel performance and potential for future monetization opportunities.

So, remember to make strategic decisions to maintain a healthy revenue stream on your channel.

The Wrap Up

Deleting, hiding and saving YouTube videos can be confusing, with different devices and versions of the same application thrown into the mix. If you still have problems, submit your question to the YouTube Help page.

Now, all that’s left to do is follow the steps and you can check “how to delete YouTube video” off your checklist!

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below!