YouTube Create is a free phone app for editing Shorts and long-form videos. To use it, sign in with a Google account on a supported phone and in a supported country, start a project, import media, edit on the timeline, then export to your phone or upload to YouTube. Its tools include text, captions, voiceover, templates on supported Android devices, and experimental AI features for eligible users.
What YouTube Create does
YouTube Create is a mobile video editor from YouTube, described by YouTube Help as an app that “lets you edit your videos with helpful, easy-to-use production tools.” It supports editing both Shorts and long-form videos, and YouTube describes it as free and without ads. It is a phone app, not a desktop editor. YouTube Create overview
Who can use YouTube Create?
You need a Google account and must be in a country or region where the app is available. YouTube Help lists Android phones with at least 4 GB of RAM, or iPhone XR and newer running iOS 17 or later. The listed supported locations are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Availability can change; check YouTube’s current device and location requirements before installing.
How to make and edit a video
1. Start a project and import media
- Install YouTube Create and sign in with the Google account you want associated with your work.
- Tap the plus button to start a project.
- Choose photos or videos from your phone’s gallery, or import media from another app. You can add multiple images and video clips.
- Tap Import to bring the selected media into the project.
YouTube’s project guide covers starting and managing projects at Start or manage a project with YouTube Create.
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2. Arrange and refine clips
Use the project timeline to build the video from your imported media. Play back the edit as you work so you can check timing, transitions, and how added elements appear alongside the footage. If you use the template flow on a supported Android device, browse templates, choose one, add gallery or imported media, select the portions of each clip, and then export or open the result in the full editor. YouTube’s template guidance specifies Android with at least 4 GB RAM; it does not establish template support on iPhone. Create videos with templates on YouTube Create
3. Add text
Add a text layer for titles, labels, or other on-screen wording. The documented controls include plain text and text effects. You can edit the words, size, font, color, background, formatting, outline, and shadow; animate the text; drag it into position; and split a text layer when it needs to appear in separate parts of the video. See Add text to your videos for YouTube’s current control instructions.
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- Browse by interest - Discover videos you’ll love in categories like music, entertainment, news, gaming, and more. All from the comfort of your couch.
- Supports multiple accounts - Everyone at home can sign into YouTube with a Google account to see recommendations, subscriptions, and playlists.
- Play YouTube videos from your phone on the TV - It’s easy to enjoy videos with friends and family. Simply find the videos you want to watch on your phone, then send them to your TV with a single tap.
- Search by voice - Quickly and easily find what you want to watch using voice search.
- Watch movies and shows - Stay entertained with thousands of movies and TV episodes available to own, rent, or watch for free.
4. Generate and style captions
YouTube Create can transcribe spoken audio or an in-app voiceover into captions. Choose the voiceover language where prompted, then review the captions for transcription errors and adjust their wording and style. The caption tool cannot generate captions for clips longer than 60 seconds, according to YouTube Help. Enhance your videos with captions
5. Consider experimental AI features only if your account has access
YouTube labels its described AI features experimental and limits them to selected creators and locations. Access and availability are not the same for each tool, so a feature listed for a country is not a guarantee that every user there can use it.
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- Organize projects into stacks
- Switch between light and dark mode
- Use blending modes
- Try the new glow effect
- Gemini Omni: YouTube lists vertical generated clips of up to 10 seconds, created from a prompt and optionally reference images. Its listed locations are Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and the United States.
- Nano Banana image generation: Listed for users over 18 in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and the United States, with English or Hindi prompts.
- Edit with AI: YouTube lists a separate availability set: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, and the United States. Its initial voiceover language support is Bengali, English, Hindi, and Portuguese.
These rollout details are listed by YouTube Help and may change. Check the app and YouTube’s Create with AI in the YouTube Create app page for current eligibility.
Preview, export, or upload
Preview the finished project before choosing what happens next. You can export a video to your phone at a selected quality or upload it directly to YouTube from the app. Direct upload associates the video with the channel signed in within YouTube Create, so confirm that account and channel before publishing. YouTube’s workflow is documented in Preview, upload, or save videos with YouTube Create.
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- Control what your kids can watch on YouTube — You’ll be thrilled to hand your tablet over with total peace of mind
- Easily pick and choose what your child views — Whitelist videos and entire channels instead of risking inappropriate “recommendations”
- No ads or sidebar videos — AKA zero chances for bad content to sneak in
- Set screen time limits — Let Safe Vision be the one to say “That’s enough TV for now”
- Lock and unlock individual videos or entire channels — Allow your kids to access only the channels and videos you trust
Know the Shorts Audio Library limitation
Music from the Shorts Audio Library behaves differently depending on the destination. When a local export is longer than 15 seconds, that music is automatically removed. A direct upload supports licensed music clips up to 60 seconds, according to YouTube’s help page. If preserving the music matters, choose the destination with this distinction in mind and check the resulting video before sharing.
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Back up before changing phones or deleting the app
YouTube says existing projects will be lost if you delete the app or get a new phone. Export finished videos to your device gallery before removing YouTube Create or moving to another phone. Troubleshoot YouTube Create upload errors
If export fails
- Reduce project load: Complex projects can exceed what a device can handle. Remove overlapping video layers, stickers, effects, or transitions and try exporting again.
- Lower export quality: If the project still will not export, YouTube suggests trying 720p instead of 1080p.
If upload fails or goes to the wrong channel
- Check the connection: Uploading requires a strong internet connection; retry when the connection is stable.
- Check the signed-in account: Make sure YouTube Create is signed in to the Google account and channel where you want the video published. The app associates the upload with the channel currently signed in.
Or let it run in the cloud
YouTube Create edits a video on your phone; it is not a service for keeping a prerecorded YouTube livestream running. If your separate goal is a 24/7 prerecorded stream, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. You do not need to leave a computer or home connection running, it streams uploaded video at its original quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, and it automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or start the free day.
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