How to Upload YouTube Shorts from Mobile

Uploading a YouTube Short directly from your phone is one of the most effective ways to grow your channel and connect with a new, massive audience. This guide walks you through every step of the process, from preparing your video file to mastering the in-app creative tools and publishing your content for maximum reach. We'll cover everything you need to know to create and upload Shorts quickly and effectively.

Before You Upload: What Makes a Great YouTube Short?

While the upload process itself is simple, a successful Short starts long before you tap the publish button. To give your content the best chance of being picked up by the algorithm, you need to understand the format's core requirements and what viewers respond to. Learn more about how to create YouTube Shorts that capture attention and drive engagement.

Technical Requirements for YouTube Shorts

YouTube is very specific about what qualifies as a Short. If your video doesn't meet these criteria, it may be uploaded as a regular, standard-format video instead, missing out on the vast discovery potential of the Shorts feed. Here's your pre-flight checklist:

• Orientation: Vertical. Your video must be in a vertical aspect ratio. The most common and recommended is 9:16 (the standard smartphone screen size), which typically means a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels. Square videos (1:1 aspect ratio) can also sometimes qualify, but vertical is the safest option.
• Length: 60 seconds or less. Your video clip must be under a minute long. Even a video that is 60.1 seconds long will not be categorized as a Short. Keep your edits tight and concise.

The Anatomy of an Engaging Short

Beyond the technical specs, viewers in the Shorts feed have a short attention span. You need to grab their attention instantly. The best Shorts often share these traits:

• A Strong Hook: The first 1-3 seconds are the most important part of your video. You need to present a question, show a shocking visual, or state a compelling premise that makes the viewer stop scrolling. Don't waste time on long introductions or slow pans.
• High-Energy Pace: Use quick cuts, dynamic motion, and clear audio to keep the energy high. Slow, meandering videos rarely perform well in a short-form feed.
• Trending Audio: Using popular music or viral audio clips can give your Short a significant boost in visibility. The YouTube algorithm often promotes videos that use trending sounds. Find out more about how to add audio to YouTube Shorts to make your content stand out.
• A Clear Payoff: Your video must deliver on the promise of its hook. Whether it's a surprising result, a useful tip, a punchline to a joke, or a satisfying aesthetic, the ending should provide value and a sense of completion. Creating videos that seamlessly loop is a fantastic strategy to increase watch time, as viewers often watch them two or three times before realizing.

How to Upload YouTube Shorts from Your Mobile Phone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to upload? Grab your phone and follow these simple steps. The process works nearly identically on both iOS and Android devices, as it all happens within the official YouTube app.

Step 1: Open the YouTube App and Tap the 'Create' Button

Launch the YouTube app. At the bottom center of your screen, you'll see a plus sign (+) inside a circle. This is the 'Create' button. Tapping it will open a menu with several options like 'Create a Short,' 'Upload a video,' 'Go live,' and more.

Step 2: Choose 'Create a Short'

From the menu, select 'Create a Short.' This will open the YouTube Shorts camera interface. From here, you have two primary options: record a new video directly within the app or upload a video clip you've already recorded and saved to your phone's camera roll.

Step 3: Film Directly or Select a Pre-Recorded Clip

Option A: Recording a New Video with the Shorts Camera

If you're creating content on the fly, the Shorts camera gives you all the tools you need. Here’s a quick rundown of the essential features you'll see on the right side of the screen:

• Flip: Switches between your phone's front-facing (selfie) and rear-facing cameras.
• Speed: Allows you to record in slow motion (0.3x, 0.5x) or fast motion (2x, 3x).
• Timer: A lifesaver for hands-free recording. You can set a countdown (3, 10, or 20 seconds) before recording starts and also set a precise point for the recording to stop automatically.
• Effects: Here you can browse a library of AR effects and filters to add a creative touch to your video, similar to those found on Instagram or TikTok.
• Green Screen: This powerful effect lets you use any photo or video from your camera roll as the background for your Short.

At the top center, just below the sound selector, you can toggle between a 15-second limit and a 60-second limit for your recording. Tap the red record button to start and stop filming. You can record multiple short clips that will be automatically stitched together to form your full Short.

Option B: Uploading a Video from Your Gallery

If you've already filmed and edited your video in a separate app, this is the option for you. In the bottom-left corner of the Shorts camera screen, you'll see a small square previewing your most recent photo or video. Tap on this to open your phone's gallery.

Select the vertical video clip you want to upload. YouTube will then allow you to trim the clip to your desired length (remember, under 60 seconds). Drag the sliders at either end of the timeline to adjust the start and end points of your video. Once you're happy, tap 'Done.'

Step 4: Enhance Your Short with Creative Tools

After you’ve recorded or uploaded your clip, you'll be taken to the edit screen. This is where you can add the final polish that makes your Short compelling and easy to watch. The options appear at the bottom of the screen:

• Sound: Tap this to add music or audio from YouTube’s extensive library. You can search for specific songs, artists, or audio clips. Pro tip: check the 'Top sounds' section to see what's currently trending.
• Text: Add text overlays to your video. You can change the font, color, background, and alignment. This is perfect for headlines, captions that highlight key points, or calls to action. Explore more about how to add captions to YouTube Shorts effectively.
• Timeline: This crucial feature allows you to control exactly when your text overlays appear and disappear. Tap 'Timeline,' then drag the edges of each text clip to adjust its timing. This enables you to create dynamic, easy-to-follow instructional videos or timed comedic reveals.
• Filters: Apply a color filter to change the mood of your video. It's a quick way to create a consistent visual style across your Shorts.

Step 5: Add Details and Finalize Your Upload

Once you’re satisfied with your edits, tap 'Next' in the top-right corner. You're now on the final details page before publishing. This part is incredibly important for your video's discoverability.

Craft a Captivating Caption (Title)

This is your title. Keep it short, attention-grabbing, and descriptive. It should spark curiosity and let viewers know what the video is about. Understanding how to optimize YouTube Shorts for SEO can significantly boost your content's reach.

Use the #shorts hashtag

This is non-negotiable. You must include #shorts in your title. This is the primary signal you send to YouTube that tells the system to categorize your video as a Short and distribute it in the Shorts feed. You can also add two or three other relevant hashtags to your topic (e.g., #DIYproject #marketingtips #healthyrecipes), but #shorts is the most important one.

Set Visibility

You can choose from four options:

• Public: Your video will be live for everyone to see immediately.
• Unlisted: Only people with a direct link can view the video. It won't appear publicly on your channel or in search.
• Private: Only you and the people you invite can watch the video.
• Schedule: You also have the ability to schedule your Short to publish at a future date and time from this menu.

For most creators, you'll be setting your video to Public.

Select Your Audience

You are required to declare whether your Short is "Made for Kids" or "Not made for kids." For most content, it will be the latter, unless your content is specifically created for children. This is an important setting, as marking content as "Made for Kids" disables certain features like comments and personalized ads to comply with regulations.

Step 6: Select Your Thumbnail

On the final details page, you can choose a thumbnail for your Short. Tap the pencil icon over the preview of your video to open a filmstrip. Drag your finger along the filmstrip to select the best frame from your video as the cover image. This is a great way to maintain visual consistency across your content. For more tips, check out how to change YouTube Shorts thumbnail.

Step 7: Tap 'Upload Short'

Once you have filled in all the details and are happy with the settings, tap the blue "Upload Short" button at the bottom. YouTube will begin processing your video. Congratulations, you've just uploaded your first YouTube Short!

Final Thoughts

Mastering the process of uploading YouTube Shorts from your mobile is a straightforward yet powerful way to expand your channel's reach. By following the steps above, you'll be well-equipped to leverage this format to grow your audience and connect with a community eager for engaging content.

Creating a consistent content schedule is a challenge, especially when juggling Shorts and longer-form videos. That's where a tool like Postbase comes in. We built it with a visual calendar that simplifies your entire scheduling process across all platforms. You can plan your long and short-form content together, saving time and freeing you up to focus on creating great videos instead of jumping between apps.

```