How to make a YouTube video private before or after it's been published, to hide it from public view

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How to make a YouTube video private before or after it's been published, to hide it from public view

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It's easy to make a YouTube video private if you don't want the general public (or anyone) to see it.

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By default, videos that you upload to YouTube are set to public.

This way, they are available for anyone to see and comment on. If you prefer, though, you can choose to make a video private.

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That means just what it sounds like - it's hidden from the general public and only you, the creator, can see it (though it is possible to share private videos with specific people).

Here's how to make a YouTube video private on your computer or mobile device.

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How to make a YouTube video private in a web browser

You can make a video private either when you upload and publish it, or afterwards, after it's published. If you're uploading the video from a computer, do this:

1. Open YouTube in a web browser.

2. Click the Create a video or post button at the top of the screen (it looks like a camera) and then click "Upload Video."

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Start uploading a video.

3. In the Select files to upload box, click "Public" and then choose "Private."

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You can choose to make a video private before you upload it.

4. When you complete the process to upload and publish, it will now be saved as a private video.

How to change a published YouTube video from public to private in a web browser

If you have already published a public video, it's easy to change it to private.

1. Open YouTube in a web browser.

2. Click your avatar in the upper right corner and then click YouTube Studio (beta) in the menu.

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3. In the pane on the left, click "Videos."

4. Find the video you want to change. In the Visibility column, you should see it's currently set to Public or Unlisted. Click it.

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You can change the privacy level of a video in YouTube Studio by clicking on its visibility.

5. In the pop-up window, click "Private" and then click "Save."

How to make a YouTube video private on the mobile app

Just like on your computer, you can use the YouTube mobile app to make a video private when you upload it, or afterwards. Here's how to do it when you are publishing the video:

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1. Start the YouTube app and tap the Upload Video icon at the top of the screen (it looks like a camera).

2. Choose a video from your phone and then tap "Next."

3. On the Add details page, tap "Public."

4. In the pop-up window, choose "Private - Only you can view."

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When you upload a new video to YouTube, you can set the visibility to Private.

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5. Tap "Upload" and finish publishing your video.

How to change a published YouTube video from public to private on the mobile app

If the video is already live, here is how to change its visibility to private:

1. Start the YouTube app and tap "Library" in the bottom right corner of the screen.

2. Tap "My videos."

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From the Library tab, tap "My videos" to see all the videos you've uploaded to the site.

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3. Find the video you want to change and then tap the three dots at the right side of the screen. In the pop-up screen, tap "Edit."

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Choose to edit the video you want to set private.

4. On the Edit details page, find the Privacy section. It should say either "Public" or "Unlisted." Tap it.

5. In the pop-up window, tap "Private - Only you can view."

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On the Edit details page, you can change the visibility of your published video.

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6. Tap "Save."

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