Get access to intermediate and advanced features

For access to intermediate and advanced features, YouTube creators need to complete the verification steps explained in this article. These verifications keep the YouTube community safe by making it harder for scammers, spammers and other bad actors to cause harm.

Access intermediate features

Complete phone verification

If you complete phone verification, you'll have access to intermediate features. From here, you can learn how to access advanced features.

1. On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Channel.
4. Click Feature eligibility  Intermediate features  VERIFY PHONE NUMBER.

You'll be asked to enter a phone number. We'll send a verification code by text or voice call to that phone number.

Access advanced features

Advanced features include, for example, pinned comments and higher daily upload limits. Creators can get access to advanced features by:

1. Completing phone verification
2. Building sufficient channel history or verifying identity using a valid ID or video
   • Note: ID and video verification aren't available to all creators. 

Step 1. Complete phone verification

To verify your phone number:

1. On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Channel.
4. Click Feature eligibility  Intermediate features  VERIFY PHONE NUMBER.

5. Enter a phone number. We'll send a verification code by text or phone call to that number.

Step 2. Build channel history or verify with ID or video

After completing the phone verification step, next you can choose to either build sufficient channel history or complete verification using ID or video. Note that ID and video verification isn't available to all creators.

Build and maintain your channel history

Your channel history is a record of:

• Your channel activity (like video uploads, live streams and audience engagement)
• Personal data related to your Google Account:
  • When and how your account was created
  • How often your account is used
  • Your method of connecting to Google services

Complete ID verification

To verify your identity using a valid ID:

1. On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Channel.
4. Click Feature eligibility  Advanced features   ACCESS FEATURES.
5. Select Use your ID, then click Get email. Google will send an email. You can also scan a QR code instead.
6. On your phone, open the email and tap Start verification.
7. Read the explanation of how Google will use your ID and how your ID will be stored. To continue with verification, click I agree.
8. Follow the prompts to take a picture of your ID. Note: Make sure that the date of birth on your ID matches the date of birth stated on your Google Account.
9. Click Submit. Once you've submitted your ID, we'll review it. This usually takes 24 hours.

Learn more about how your ID verification data is used.

Complete video verification

To verify your identity using video:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. Click Settings .
3. Click Channel.
4. Click Feature eligibility  Advanced features  ACCESS FEATURES.
5. Select Use video verification, then click Next and Get email.
   • Google will send you an email. You can also scan a QR code instead.
6. On your phone, open the email and tap Start verification.
7. Follow the prompts to perform an action, like following a dot or turning your head.
8. When your verification video has finished uploading, we'll review your video.
   • The review usually takes 24 hours. You'll get an email when it's been approved.

Learn more about how your video verification data is used.

Troubleshoot problems

Understand delayed or restricted feature access

Find examples below of actions that can lead to delays or a more restricted level of feature access for a channel. Bear in mind that this isn't a complete list:

• Receiving a Community Guidelines strike
• Posting the same content repeatedly across one or more channels or repeatedly uploading content that you don't own and that isn't EDSA
• Repeatedly posting abusive, hateful, dangerous, sexual, violent and/or harassing videos or comments
• Spamming, scamming, the use of misleading metadata, inaccurate reporting or other deceptive practices
• Cyberbullying
• Impersonating others
• Violating our child safety policy
• Maintaining channels that are related to another policy-violating channel (e.g. a repeat spammer or scammer who owns multiple channels)
• Getting copyright strikes

Restore feature access

If your access to any advanced features is restricted, you'll receive an email. Creators can restore access by improving their channel history or by verifying their identity using a valid ID or video. Bear in mind that ID and video verification isn't available to all creators.

Active channels that have consistently followed YouTube's Community Guidelines can usually rebuild sufficient channel history within two months.

Common error messages and what they mean

• 'Advanced YouTube features aren't available for this account': This means that you're signed in to an account of which you're not the primary owner. This can happen if you're signed in to an account supervised by a parent or if you're signed in to a Brand Account.
• 'Check your browser': Your browser isn't compatible. Make sure that you update your device to the latest operating system and browser version. 
• 'ID verification doesn't work with this phone's camera': Your camera isn't compatible. Sign in with a phone that has a Full HD rear-facing camera to submit your ID.
• 'Another application might be using your camera. Close open apps and try again': This means that another app is using your camera. Close your open apps and try again.

Frequently asked questions