YouTube phone verification: features and the two-channel limit
In short
- Verifying a phone number gives your channel YouTube’s intermediate features, such as videos longer than 15 minutes and custom thumbnails.
- In YouTube Studio, go to Settings, Channel, Feature eligibility, and verify by text or voice call.
- A phone number can verify up to two channels a year.
YouTube asks you to verify a phone number before your channel can use some features.
What verification gives you
Phone verification gives access to intermediate features, including videos longer than 15 minutes, custom thumbnails and live streaming. Advanced features need more: phone verification plus enough channel history, or ID or video verification where YouTube offers it.
How to verify
In YouTube Studio, go to Settings, then Channel, then Feature eligibility. Under intermediate features, choose to verify your phone number, pick a text message or a voice call, and enter the code.
If the code doesn’t come
Some carriers and countries don’t support Google’s texts or calls. Try the voice call instead, or another number.
The limit per number
A phone number can verify up to two channels a year. If you run more channels, you’ll need another number for the third.
Using a one-time number
If you’d rather not give YouTube your own number, a one-time number from ReserveSMS can take the code. Ours start at $1, and the money goes back to your balance if no code arrives within 20 minutes. Your Google account still needs recovery options you keep: see keeping an account after a temporary number. Get a number for Google and YouTube.
Common questions
What does YouTube phone verification do?
It gives your channel intermediate features, including videos longer than 15 minutes, custom thumbnails and live streaming.
How many channels can one phone number verify?
Up to two a year.
Why isn’t YouTube’s verification code arriving?
Some carriers and countries don’t support Google’s texts or calls. Try a voice call, or another number.